Fresh Fashion Icon: Chanel Iman
Tired of seeing the same celebs featured in blogs week after week? Me too! Don’t get me wrong, I love myself some Rachel Bilson and Nicole Richie as much as the next girl, but there are days where I just need some fresh style perspective!
Enter “Fresh Fashion Icon”, a new monthly series where I will feature a lesser known (but still super stylish) girl and break down her style secrets . Interested? Read on to find out about this month’s Fashion Icon, Model Chanel Iman!
Just like her namesake, baby-faced model Chanel Iman has a natural knack for style both on and off the runway. (She’s modeled for Marc Jacobs, Gap, Anna Sui, and more recently Victoria’s Secret.) While this girl is always on trend, her style is great because she can be both street-stylish and ultra-sophisticated depending on the day (variety at it’s best!).
Like what you see so far? Scroll on down to find out how to get her look.
Chanel’s Style Essentials
Outerwear
(From Left to Right – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Chanel’s style is very “street”, meaning that it is both stylish and functional – perfect for every day. Oftentimes she can be seen wearing things like leather jackets or blazers (for that urban city gal look).
But in addition to rocking the street-chic look, Chanel is also not one to shy away from color. Because of this, I also included a cute red coat and an army green capelet; these jackets are fantastic because they can offer a good pop of color if your outfit is drab, while still staying everyday-wearable.
Tops
(From Left to Right- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Girly but tough is Chanel’s signature, so I chose tops that evoke both those characteristics. While some are flouncy or floral, there are others (like graphic tees) that show off her rocker style. Just pair these tops with some black skinnies, a mini skirt, and/or a leather jacket, and you can easily achieve the same style as Chanel.
Bottoms
(From Left to Right- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
As I said before, Chanel always has a soft-meets-hard edge to her outfit. And to give off that vibe, I chose bottoms that can be either girly or tough. For instance, more girly things like frills and ruffles can be rock n’ roll when they are paired with some chic boots or a cool jacket. Meanwhile, ripped skinnies and sequined skirts can have their edge toned down if they are paired with soft-colored tops. It all comes down to balance, which Chanel has down pat.
Boots
(From Left to Right- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Boots, boots, boots, what can I say? I love them and so does Chanel. They totally complete an outfit while giving off the perfect amount of attitude and versatility. Whether they are studded, colorful or simple and chic, she shows them off by effortlessly tucking either skinny jeans or tights into these lovely gems.
Get Chanel’s Look
Outfit 1
Product information is listed above.
Chanel’s style has a very distinct look to it: while it is always on trend, it is versatile above all else.
For my first outfit, I chose four pieces: an ethereal frilly top, some gorgeous brown boots, a chic green capelet, and the ever-versatile black skinny jean (the links for all these items can be found in the Style Essentials Section). Put all these items together and you have an outfit that is both stylish yet very wearable in any situation, whether you’re on the way to class battling cold winter wind or going on a picnic with your bffs.
Outfit 2
Product information is listed above.
For the second outfit, I went for a flirty punk look, a style that Chanel is known to rock. (She loves her leather jackets almost as much as me!)
First I chose an amazingly cute blue denim skirt, and paired that with a cool striped tee to tuck inside. Layer that with this awesome faux leather jacket, add some fab studded boots from Forever 21, and you’re golden. It’s a perfect look for a wild night out on the town, or your neighbor’s housewarming party- you know, the usual.
Thoughts?
What I love about Chanel’s style is that she knows the appropriate time to dress up and to dress down. She can look like a rock star one day, and a boho sweetheart the next. But what do you think of Chanel’s style? Would you wear it? Do you have a favorite style icon that you think deserves more recognition? Whatever your thoughts are, let me know in the comments section!
Posted on on February 1, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Celebs, Chanel Iman, Fresh Fashion Icon, Inspiration, Models, Outfits
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m. r.
love this! chanel is definitely one of the pioneers of the model off duty look, while managing to look super classy! i love the idea of these series and looking forward to future ones!!
ps you should use Alexa Chung as your next celebrity! she’s got an amazing mix of high end and mostly vintage stuff that is super quirky and original! she was also named vogue’s most stylish woman of 2009, which doesn’t hurt, right?? :D
keep up the great work!!!
littlemissJ
you shuld a fashion icon on vanessa hudgens or miley cyrus? i love their style
Heather
I *love* her style! This new series is a great idea.
Mika
I love Chanel’s style! Her style is a lot more street and tougher than mine (i guess) but it definitely inspires me. She always looks amazing, and what’s not inspiring about that? :)
Natalie
Chanel’s style is chic, yet very cute. I love it!
Maybe next time you could feature Hyoni Kang. She modeled for Nordstrom and American Eagle Outfitters a while back. She’s modeling for Marc Jacobs, etc. now.
Colleen - NYU
I’ve loved Chanel for awhile now, great idea for a post! Love love love your choices, so inspiring. Thank you!
Eddie
Love it! I’ve actually been waiting for her to be on this site. :D
Lexie
I agree with m. r. Alexa Chung has an amazing sense of style and she would be perfect for your next choice. <3
Daniella
I love how you put together the eclectic and unique style she has! She is my favorite Fashion Icon!!!!
Mani
I LOVE CHANEL IMAN !!!
love love love <3
aicha
You should do a post about Alexa Chung, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens or Miley Cyrus!
kaley
oh shes just adorable!
Bryannah
i love this post! :]
everything about chanel’s style is so effortless and this really gives me good inspiration for what I can wear tomorrow! (:
can’t wait for you next post! =]
and, also, actually, truth be told, miley & vanessa actually have a good sense of wardrobe choice (not on every outfit though, but some, i have to admit, look really cute). if you google “miley style” and “vanessa style” there are some sites that give you a really nice breakdown of their style. (:
I would love to see an article about Miley or Vanessa some day here, since in my opinion, their style can actually look pretty good sometimes. :)
anyway, excuse my rambling. :)
great post!
xoxoxoxoxo
lalalina
I am a huge fan of Chanel Iman! Though I can’t pull off half the looks she wears, your suggestions made her style a lot more accessible!
Kim- Sorry I didn’t realize you had been writing for CF all last semester when I made the comment in your ballet flats article. That article was just so great and I feel dumb I hadn’t realized you had so many other fab articles on CF!
The only critique I have of this article, which is actually directed at all of the CF writers, is that I have seen the Forever 21 faux leather jacket you mentioned in many other articles. Yes, I realize Forever 21 is an inexpensive way to try out trends, but if you all could branch out and find other places that carry similar items that would be great. Its just we’ve seen how stylish that jacket is many times and some fresh items would be great to see.
jacquie franco
yes! ive been trying for ages to get chanels look. good job with the outfits! i love the hunter green coat!
Sarah
Love LOVE love Chanel’s look. I’m inspired by it =) Just the other day i was thinking to my self “Hm.. i need to buy more outerwear Jackets, vests and cardigans can change an outfit totally” And this post has encouraged me to do so!! You could probably wear the same outfit for a week straight and change the jacket or outerwear that you wear with it and no one might notice… I won’t be trying it, but i’m sure its true lol
I have to disagree with some of the commenters that asked for Miley Cyrus. Please Kim don’t do a post on her!! You said ” I will feature a lesser known (but still super stylish) girl “. And that is what i’d like to see! A girl who I do not see on t.v or in magazines every other day ..a girl that i know next to nothing about.
Kip
She really is adorable and her outfits are fantastic.. but in one photo in particular she looks scary skinny. Its the one in the last set of three… the middle picture that shows her wearing the floral mini dress and boots. Her knees make me feel weird! haha
Great idea for a new type of post. I love this site and I check it daily!
Madeleine
I’ve always really admired Chanel Iman’s style because I’m into the really tough, bad girl chic look that’s really popular right now and she nails it perfectly. I would wear nearly all her outfits but some of them are a little too daring and perfect for her modelesque body which I unfortunately do not have. I think you did a great job of picking Chanel for your article because I think a lot of girls really admire her fresh feeling style.
aish
love her sense of style
and i love the outfits put together
Jen
Yaas! I love her
Ana
I haven’t read it fully yet, but I am SOOO glad you decided to feature her, and I love this idea. I ADORE Chanel Iman. ADORE!
bilimbo
I don’t see how she is a fresh fashion face! Open any fashion or women’s magazine and she’s everywhere! Just in Marie Claire and Glamour this month she made more than 25 appearances!
This girl is the next overexposed model. We need some new fashion icons, women that aren’t whoring themselves for attention.
Carlynn
models always have access to the greatest clothes
wazy
Chanel Iman is so adorable! I’ve seen her in print ads and on the catwalk before but I never realized what great style she had so thanks for this.
Kim - Cal State
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! A lot of you cited a lot of the icons that I am planning to do as this goes on, so stay tuned for that (I don’t want to say who though- that’d ruin the surprise!)
Anyway, as far as Miley Cyrus, Vannessa Hudgens, and the like go, while I do think they have good style (I love love love Vanessa Hudgen’s style), they are already big names in the celebrity machine, and this blog series is more centered around people you don’t know as well.
So unfortunatley, I wont be featuring them. Stay tuned though! Lots more fun to be had with this series!
rebecca
i love chanel iman!her style is amazing and while there’s no way i’d be able to pull off some of her looks they’re really inspiring. I’ve read about her in teen vogue and i think i might just be developing a woman crush….
thats not gay btw if you don’t understand woman crush,haha.
Charlotte
I’d never heard of or seen Chanel Inman before this post but I really like her style.
A lot of the elements of her style (girly with a bit of a tough-girl edge) are like my own style. I will definitely be looking to her for inspiration in the future!!
xxx
Queen R
loved her style…did know that way of her and her adorabe free sence of such a goerges style…!!!!!great choices and it will be a great choice of fashion idolism…hehhe!!!x.o.x.o
Maxine
omg i love her style:) but i am more of a wild child and a hippie:)
Raissa
well i just read this and i love it. i am tryin to reinvent my style and i have been looking for a good fashion muse and Chanel was definitly wht i am looking for. but one i was reading the article about finding a good fashion muse and it says its good to find somebody that relates to you physically and i was wondering if picking chanel as a muse would be a good idea because im am only 5’2 i have more curevs and i am dark skinned.