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Chanel’s Secret To Elegance

An icon, the innovator behind the “little black dress,” and by many metrics, a revolutionary in her own right, Coco Chanel, the French designer and fashion pioneer, left a legacy worth noting beyond just threads and seams.



Having ruled the court that is French haute couture (high dressmaking) for nearly six decades, her work liberated women's fashion from the constraining and uncomfortable styles to the now preferred elegant designs. 


Apart from having many laugh-out-loud and deeply insightful quotes such as,


“I only drink Champagne on two occasions: when I’m in love and when I’m not.”


And


“Nothing is more aging than trying to look younger…”,


Coco’s tenacity and industriousness reveal other beautiful methods by which to live life.


Of all the beliefs that permeated her work, taking this one to heart may lead to the greatest impact of all:


“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance,” 


... something many of us tend to let slip by with our complications and overthinking.


From moving away from constraining designs, repurposing fabrics in innovative ways, or taking men's styles and reinterpreting them towards the female figure, Coco provided elegance and sophistication by taking away the unnecessary or making statements with the simple.


I would like to extrapolate this idea beyond the world of fashion and contemplate how simple things could be if we weren’t so quick to overcomplicate.


For some time, I have been wrestling with this “overcomplication syndrome” myself, making things ten times harder for those around me by being too quick to find contingencies or exceptions in every idea or plan someone brings to mind. 


This, for a while, seemed to be beneficial as it was interpreted as “precautionary,” but it quickly turned into nothing getting done because I was always so stuck in the “let's wait for a better time” or what's the more “efficient” method trap.


I wasn’t keeping it simple and doing what was needed. Coco saw it all quite simply, and maybe we should too.


Many times, the “less is more” mindset brings peace in a society that constantly oversaturates everything it touches with fine print.


—


Despite not being a fan of most beliefs surrounding runway culture today, it's difficult to argue the efficacy of a “simple” mindset when it's among the foundational thoughts that have led to Chanel’s 2024 estimated value of 29.6 Billion dollars.


Taking this very same principle from which radically lucrative benefits have been derived and applying it to our own living, we might find beauty in the simpler things.


If you find yourself in a spirling habit or in a pattern of overthinking, look for a manner in which to simplify a portion. Don’t get lost in the details, but neither let the details pass you by. Start somewhere and work from there.


Remember, “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” 


- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta


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