Coco Chanel

Fashion designer

Modern influential 82 sayings

Sayings by Coco Chanel

It's awful to show one's knees when one doesn't have pretty knees.

Late 1960s — In her last interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

Most women with ugly knees have thick hips, they're made for bearing children.

Late 1960s — In her last interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

I go to dinner and I see 70 percent of women wearing pants. That's sad.

Late 1960s — In her last interviews, expressing disapproval of women wearing pants
Controversial Unverifiable

There are only three important women in the world, not more.

Between 1968 and 1969 — During a scandalous TV interview
Controversial Unverifiable

She has a whole long quote in reference to Jewish people which uses the phrase exterminated altogether.

During World War II (approx. 1940s) — At a dinner party in German-occupied Paris, according to friends who stopped talking to her after th…
Controversial Unverifiable

You know Mr Vaughan, these were very difficult times, and people had to do very terrible things to get along.

Undated, but after WWII — Said to biographer Hal Vaughan, reflecting on her wartime actions
Controversial Unverifiable

Hollywood is the capital of bad taste ... and it is vulgar.

Undated, likely after her Hollywood stint in the early 1930s — Reflecting on her experience with American filmmaking
Controversial Unverifiable

I don’t do fashion, I am fashion.

1960 — Statement to the press
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

1935 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I love myself. I am the great love of my life.

1950 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A woman should be two things: classy and fabulous.

1950 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

I invented my life by taking for granted that everything I disliked would disappear.

1960 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.

1920 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.

1930 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.

1950 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Dress shabbily and they Loch Ness the clothes. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman.

1954 — Interview
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Fashion passes, style remains.

1920s — Reported statement
Controversial Unverifiable

A woman has the age she deserves.

1930s — Reported statement
Controversial Unverifiable

I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little — if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.

1950s — Reported statement
Controversial Unverifiable

Adornment, what a science! Beauty, what a weapon! Modesty, what an elegance!

1930s — Reported statement
Controversial Unverifiable