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20 Iconic Quotes About Fashion

As John Galliano once said, "the joy of dressing is an art."

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The power of a great outfit is impossible to overstate. At its best, fashion has the ability to transform your mood, identity, and, of course, your look. It can be fun, refreshing, and purposeful. But as with anything one does on a daily basis, it’s easy to fall into a fashion rut, feeling stale and drab no matter what you put on. If you have a closet full of clothes but not a single thing to wear, perhaps you just need some inspiration. We looked to some of the most iconic designers and couturiers for their thoughts on dressing in style. Below, find 20 of the best quotes about fashion.

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"If you love something, wear it all the time... Find things that suit you. That's how you look extraordinary."

– Vivienne Westwood

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"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it."

– Edith Head

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"I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman."

– Vera Wang

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"The joy of dressing is an art."

– John Galliano

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"We all need a splash of bad taste–it's hearty, it's healthy, it's physical. I think we could use more of it. No taste is what I'm against."

– Diana Vreeland

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"When in doubt, wear red."

– Bill Blass

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"I make clothes. Women make fashion."

– Azzedine Alaïa

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"We must never confuse elegance with snobbery."

– Yves Saint Laurent

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"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."

– Bill Cunningham

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"The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive."

– Coco Chanel

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"My style is not that big. I wear heels, tight pants, and I wear diamonds."

– Donatella Versace

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"Being well-dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It's a question of good balance and good common sense."

– Oscar de la Renta

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"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they notice the woman."

– Coco Chanel

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"Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well."

– Vivienne Westwood

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"What I find most interesting in fashion is that it has to reflect our time. You have to witness your own moment."

– Nicolas Ghesquière

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"Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There's no how-to road map to style. It's about self expression and, above all, attitude."

– Iris Apfel

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"Fashions fade. Style is eternal."

– Yves Saint Laurent

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"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."

– Miuccia Prada

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"Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment."

– Alexander McQueen

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"Fashion is like eating; You shouldn't stick to the same menu."

– Kenzo Takada

MORE: 20 Quotes About Fall

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Meg Donohue
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor

Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country. Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.

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