The influence of Coco Chanel on fashion was, for the lack of a better word, absolutely ground-breaking.

Her unique style was all about comfort and effortless chic. Coco Chanel proved to the world that women’s clothing didn’t need to be restricting in order to be feminine, and so, as a result, gave rise to a whole new lifestyle philosophy. Today, let us take a closer look at some of the most iconic innovations Coco Chanel introduced into the fashion industry.

There’s hardly a person who has never heard of Coco Chanel’s legendary little black dress – or simply LBD. Its design was first introduced in 1926, and to this day it remains an essential item in every woman’s wardrobe.

The reason behind the little black dress’s immense popularity was its simplicity, versatility, and affordability. Coco demonstrated that black was not a color reserved strictly for mourning and funerals and that it was, in fact, both elegant and universal.

The other fashion item that will forever be associated with Coco Chanel is a chain-strap handbag. Before, upper-class ladies used to carry their bags in their hands, which was not always comfortable. Coco Chanel decided to change that. The new design she presented got the name 2.55.

The bag featured a diamond pattern (another Chanel staple) as well as double chain straps which allowed women to finally free their hands – a much more practical choice. The idea for the bag’s design came from the soldiers’ shoulder bags and the keychains nuns used to wear around their waists in the orphanage where Coco grew up.

The influence of Coco Chanel on fashion was nothing short of all-encompassing. Her legacy goes beyond the boundaries of the industry. It changed the way people see clothing and marked the beginning of a new era in human history.