What It Costs
You don’t have to be wealthy to be able to appreciate the fine lines and beauty of a Chanel suit. But you do have to have enough disposable income (or have the desire to save and scrimp for a while) to cover the high price tag, though. While many celebrities and wealthy women have closets jam packed with Chanel suits, some women of more limited means have been known to go to great lengths, even taking on second jobs, until they have saved enough to invest in this classic and highly-desirable item.
Today you can purchase a Chanel suits right off the rack from one of its exclusive boutiques. There are a handful of them carrying clothing located in big cities around the world. (Note that some Chanel boutiques carry only accessories.) Or, if you can’t get to a Chanel boutique, you can also shop in the Chanel department at some of the high-end department stores. You can expect to spend about $5,000 for a new Chanel suit off the rack. While this may sound like a high price, Chanel salespeople are known for providing exceptional service for their customers, so except the royalty treatment. Alterations are usually provided at no charge.
If you are one of the lucky few, you might also be able to arrange to have a Chanel suit made-to-order for you. Keep in mind, though, that Chanel haute couture is usually reserved for celebrities and other notables with very large wallets. There is no set price available for a made-to-order suit, as the price depends on the fabric, details and extras you select. But you can assume that the privilege of having a suit custom made for you could run in the $20,000 range.
If you appreciate clothing with a history, you could also consider buying a vintage Chanel suit. In this way you can get the fine detailing you desire without the high price tag. You can find them at high-end vintage and consignment shops, designer depots (the name for French upscale resale stores) and also on Ebay. Some of the older haute couture suits from before Coco Chanel’s death today sell in the $2,000 range.
Finally, if you are lucky enough to own (or buy) an older Chanel suit, keep in mind that the cut of the jacket could be different from today’s proportions and there may be an issue of large shoulder pads or other outdated detailing. Fashioner insiders suggest taking an outdated Chanel suit to a Chanel boutique and asking their seamstress to remake it for you. One customer reports that she recently brought in an 80s suit and had the tailor reshape the jacket and add new style buttons to make the suit fresh again, at a cost of only a few hundred dollars.
Chanel Inspired
If you love Chanel but can’t afford to wear the real thing, there is another option. Many tailors and dressmakers will custom-make you a Chanel look-alike. Depending on the level of expertise the tailor brings and the expense of the fabric you select and the detailing, a Chanel-inspired suit can cost anywhere from about $500 to $2,000.
Creating Style
While Chanel is known for its classic and timeless lines, fashionable women today want to express their individuality through their clothes, so many and match pieces of Chanel (or Chanel-inspired items) with a variety of other designer and non-designer items, truly creating their own unique style.
