THE BRAND EDIT: COCO CHANEL

Have you ever dreamed of embodying the elegance and sophistication of high fashion designers like Coco Chanel? With the art of sewing, you can bring those dreams to life by recreating iconic designs and ideas from the legendary designer. In this brand edit, we delve into the world of Chanel-inspired sewing patterns that will elevate your wardrobe to new heights of luxury and style.

Chanel is known for her timeless elegance and revolutionary approach to women's fashion. Her classic designs, such as the little black dress, the tweed suit, and the striped jersey tops, have become synonymous with luxury and sophistication. 

For those who want to capture the essence of Chanel's iconic designs through sewing, we have curated a selection of sewing patterns inspired by her most famous creations. Whether you're looking to create a classic Chanel-inspired jacket or a sophisticated pencil skirt, these patterns will help you bring a touch of luxury to your wardrobe. Don't forget to accessorise with pearls and Chanel No.5!

Breton tops aka 'Mariniére' have become a staple in most modern wardrobes and are one of Chanel's first iconic pieces. Sailors and fisherman typically wore tightly knit Breton striped tops while at work and Chanel reworked this style by adding patch pockets, tucking them into high-waist trousers or belting them for a chic silhouette and so the classic was born. Women were now in love with the 'Sportswear' leisure style and we've never looked back since!

1. I AM Patterns Chantal Bodysuit and T-shirt
2. Named Kanerva Button-back Tee
3. Tilly and the Buttons Coco Top and Dress
4. Style Arc Ellis Knit Tee

During the early period of designing, Chanel took influence from the sailors uniforms while living on the French coast. You can see the sailor-collar and nautical details popping up in many of her designs and it is another trend that has never gone away. Playful yet chic, a little sailor style is a fun way to freshen up your wardrobe.

1. Fibre Mood Harmony Top
2. Merchant & Mills Mary White Dress and Top
3. Ready to Sew James Sailor Jacket

Chanel certainly didn't invent women's trousers but she definitely championed them. Again taking inspiration from those sailors, she favoured the wide cuts of their trousers and made them a chic staple for fashionable women.

1. Merchant & Mills Quinn Trousers
2. Jennifer Lauren Handmade Bastion Culottes
3. Fibre Mood Selah Trousers

Again, Chanel was not the first to invent a black dress, but she took black which was typically worn for mourning and made it a must-have piece for any woman - and that still stands today! The "LBD" - the Little Black Dress - was popularised by Chanel and became a uniform for women of taste. Wear it day to night, accessorise it and it will fit any occasion.

1. Papercut Patterns Lulee Dress and Skirt
2. Vikisews Leonie Dress
3. Pattern Scout Ella Dress
4. Style Arc Gertrude Designer Dress

The idea that the dress doesn't wear you, you wear the dress, was the thinking behind the LBD. Chanel said "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." and that is exactly what you get with a good LBD, a piece that doesn't date or go out of style.

1. Sew Love Patterns Chloe Dress
2. Vogue V1883 Dress
3. Cashmerette Upton Dress and Skirt + Mix and Match Expansion Pack
4. Pattern Sewciety Mari Dress

The iconic tweed suit is what first springs to mind when I think of Chanel. Spotting that menswear was far more comfortable and practical than women's fashions of the day, Chanel designed a chic two-piece suit. Inspired by the Scottish tweed the sporty Duke of Westminster wore, she decided that this gorgeous fabric should be used for womenswear too. And so the iconic Chanel tweed suit was born. A modern way to inject this look into your wardrobe is to just sew the jacket and wear it with jeans to make it a little more casual.

1. Maison Fauve Metropolis Jacket
2. Vogue V2017 Jacket, Skirt and Trousers
3. Bella Loves Patterns Freddie Jacket and Dulce Skirt
4. Sew Over It Coco Jacket

1. Coco Before Chanel (2009) Movie
2. Coco Chanel (2008) TV Movie
3. Coco Chanel Unbuttoned BBC iPlayer
4. The New Look (2024) Apple TV

1. History Gap: The Complicated Coco Chanel
2. The Forum (BBC): Coco Chanel: French style icon
3. History Extra Podcast: Chanel: glamour and controversy on the Riviera
4. The History Chicks: Coco Chanel

I'll leave you with this quote from Coco Chanel... I just love it!

"Dress like you are going to meet your worst enemy today."