~How to Dress Like... Coco Chanel

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Legendary French fashion designer Coco Chanel said, "Fashion fades; only style remains the same," and "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." She believed in a simple and classic wardrobe and is credited for creating the little black dress in the 1920s. You can dress like Coco Chanel by purchasing her designer duds for exorbitant prices or by carefully shopping for elegant Chanel lookalikes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Little black dress
• Chanel suit
• Two-tone pumps or flats
• Chanel purse
• Pearls and gold jewelery
• Chanel perfume

Step1

Make the little black dress the foundation of your Chanel wardrobe. It will slim your figure, and it is always appropriate. Dress yourself in this wardrobe staple year round with the appropriate accessories. Look for one with simple lines that is sleeveless. You can add a jacket for cooler months and more business-like outings.

Step2

Add a Chanel suit. The real thing will be several thousand dollars at a high-end store, but you can find a similar suit at any department store. The collarless jacket will be short, boxy and similar to a structured cardigan, with trim at the neckline and bottom. The skirt will be straight and knee-length. Chanel suits are often made of boucle wool, and they are lined in silk.

Step3

Keep your feet Chanel happy in two-tone sling back pumps. The designer also favored comfortable two-tone ballet flats.

Step4

Match your shoes with a shoulder purse fashioned in quilted leather or fabric. The bag will have a gold strap.

Step5

Accessorize your wardrobe will real or good imitation pearls. Chanel liked to mix genuine and costume jewelery. To dress like Chanel, chose gold jewelery over silver.

Step6

Add to your Chanel mystique by wearing her most famous fragrance, Chanel No. 5. Or try Allure, a newer Chanel perfume.

Step7
Rejoice in the fact that a Chanel wardrobe is classic. You can stop trying to follow the trends, and you'll save money by not buying a completely new wardrobe each season. Although Coco Chanel died in 1971, her fashion style remains constant.
Try the Coco Necklace from Stella & Dot

Breath taking panache, 3 luxurious 14kt gold plated chains meet their match with a glamorous, removalbe brooch of Czech crystals. 34" length, lobster clasp. Three looks in one!

Kelly Necklace - Pearls
A pave bee sits atop a jet black enamel bloom to create a romantic magnetic clasp for 3 strands of faux pearls. 19" shortest length. Also comes in all black.