31 of the Most Beautiful Chanel Dresses We've Ever Seen
If there’s one fashion brand that makes my heart beat a little faster, it’s Chanel—and I don’t think I’m alone here. If I’m being honest, one of my favorite things about fashion is the sense of fantasy and escape woven into it—and no one masters that better than Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. With opulent sets staged at the Grand Palais or far-flung locations around the world like Cuba, Salzburg, or Tokyo, you’re immediately transported into another world of his own design—and that’s all before the models come walking down the runway. Recently, I even had the chance to attend a Chanel runway show (hello, lifelong dream) and can attest to the magic of it all.
But the real breathtaking moments happen once the gowns are unearthed from backstage. Whether they’re finished with layer upon layer of tulle and lace or covered with delicate ostrich feathers or even hand-beaded for upward of 400 hours, these pieces are truly works of art. So if you want to escape into a fashion dreamworld, allow us to introduce you to the 31 most beautiful Chanel dresses we’ve ever seen—because we all need a little fashion magic in our lives.
Chanel F/W 2001 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2003
Chanel S/S 2005 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2006 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2007 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2008 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2009 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2010 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2011 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2011 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2013 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2014 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2015 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2016 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel F/W 2017 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2018 Haute Couture
Chanel S/S 2018 Haute Couture
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting patiently to see what happens at the next Chanel couture show.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
-
Chanel's New Flats Have All Other Shoes on High Alert
No one can compete.
By Eliza Huber
-
9 Trends Set to Define Spring 2025 Fashion
What to know from the spring/summer 2025 runways.
By Eliza Huber
-
Tweed, Chiffon, and Riley Keough on a Swing in the Grand Palais: This Is S/S 25 Chanel
Feast your eyes.
By Eliza Huber
-
Chanel's Loafers Are the Ultimate Luxury—Here's Why the Fashion Set Think They're Worth It
The dream.
By Elinor Block
-
Lily-Rose Depp Wore Every French Woman's Favorite Flats With This Easy Dress Trend
My new summer uniform—secured.
By Eliza Huber
-
Bows! Tweed! Skirt Suits! Chanel Reimagines Classic House Codes at Couture Show
The first collection after Virginie Viard's departure.
By Kristen Nichols
-
Christy Turlington Wore the Jacket Trend That Will Always Make Jeans Look Elegant
A timeless choice.
By Eliza Huber
-
6 Future Heirlooms That Are Guaranteed to Impress for Decades to Come
These are what I call worthy investments.
By Eliza Huber