For years I’ve wanted a Chanel jacket. A mere shallow obsession. Though one can always argue that it’s an iconic piece of clothing, the epitome of understated elegance. It can be worn with anything, anytime, anywhere. I still vividly remember the one that got away, in Paris. It was a spectacular shade of dark blue and silver tweed with the perfect cut, think slimming effect! Better yet, it was 50% off. Ah, just imagine, a fabulous shopping souvenir from the mother of all Chanel stores, the flagship, Madame Coco’s original maison de couture at Rue Cambon. Alas, it was not meant to be, a size too small. Little did I know that these jackets could easily be altered two sizes up or down at any Chanel boutique in the world. I’m still pinching myself until now.

From that memorable day on, I frequented the Chanel sales and vintage boutiques in search of a jacket. Then I momentarily had what I thought was the perfect one to complement my wardrobe, in purple and silver tweed from a local consignment store. One size too big, off to the tailor I went. Though somehow, after styling it with different outfits and wearing it a couple of times, it didn’t quite work. I think I compromised on the shape and color on my sole eagerness to own a Chanel jacket. A year later, I deposited it back to the consignment store for sale.

Years passed by and one summer day in 2010, while doing my usual round of browsing the sale rack at the end of each season at Chanel, I stumbled upon the one and only jacket in my size — a simple cut in iconic black and silver tweed, 50% off! With my hopes up, I tried it on. But my excitement slowly drizzled away. As the jacket was a few centimeters too long, it optically made me look even shorter than my actual 4’10″ height. Not to mention that I had to hold my breath to button the waist area. I never really had a waist to begin with but childbirth made it even worse. Fret not, without me asking, in came the seamstress. After two fittings and three weeks, the jacket was perfect! As it was quite a bit of work, I was expecting to pay a couple of hundred Swiss francs for the alteration (you pay for almost everything here), but it didn’t cost me a single cent. Not at Chanel, at least not when the repair is done at purchase said the sales associate. Finally, my very own “Little Black Jacket.”

Is it a prized possession? Fashionwise, absolutely! And I try to wear it often, especially in spring and autumn. It’s very versatile and durable, withstanding several cleanings from the chocolate stains and sticky hands of my daughter. On a style note, my favorite looks are those paired with jeans (à la Kate Moss) and shorts (à la Gwyneth Paltrow). Very urban chic!

Until my next post … take care!