Quote #94854

Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.

Coco Chanel

About This Quote

Coco ChanelDesignerBorn August 19, 188316 quotes on Quotery

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Interpretation

The quote reframes “luxury” as an aesthetic and moral category rather than an economic one. Chanel argues that luxury is not defined by being rich (the opposite of poverty) but by being non-vulgar—free of gaudiness, excess, and conspicuous display. In this view, true luxury can be expressed through simplicity, proportion, and quality, while wealth can still look cheap if it is showy or tasteless. The aphorism also serves as a critique of consumerism: spending money is not the same as possessing style, and refinement is measured by discernment rather than price.

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