Updated: October 23, 2024

The Suit Maketh the Man

10 Great Fashion Quotes to Live By

For those of us who truly appreciate the power of style and are fascinated by fashion, we know too well the importance of fashion icons who pave the way and act as serious inspiration for our closets. Be it a suit or tuxedo, quality makes a difference and changes the way people look to others altogether.

Whether it is a fictional character like Mad Men’s Donald Draper or real-life fashion icons like Michael Kors, sharing his years of industry experience in a few words to live by, these icons know exactly how to excite us into experimenting with our outfits and being confident in our personal style.

That being said, it’s only right we share some of our favorite fashion quotes, which give us all the inspiration we need to master the catwalk of life.

Don Draper. Credit: Pinterest

1. “You can have anything you want in life, if you dress for it”. – Edith Head
Edith Head was an American costume designer who, with eight Academy Awards for Best Costume Design to her name, understood the power of fashion.

2. “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose”. – Lauren Hutton
Former supermodel Lauren Hutton, now in her seventies, had a long and enviable career, appearing on the cover of Vogue a whopping 28 times.

3. “The joy of dressing is an art”. – John Galliano
Mr. Galliano should know. He was the head designer of French fashion powerhouses Givenchy, Christian Dior and his own label, John Galliano.

Michael Kors. Credit: GQ

4. “Clothes are like a good meal, a good movie, great pieces of music.” – Michael Kors
The chief creative officer of his name brand, Michael Kors is right in comparing clothes to some of life’s other great pleasures.

5. “Make it simple, but significant” – Don Draper
From his slick side parting to his excellent shirt and tie combinations, John Hamm’s character in Mad Men has altered the way modern men dress for work and formal occasions.

6. “I like my money right where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” – Carrie Bradshaw
This quote comes from another fictional television character, the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, who knows a sound investment when she sees one.

Carrie Bradshaw. Credit: Pinterest

7. “Real style is never right or wrong. It’s a matter of being yourself on purpose.” – G. Bruce Boyer
Often cited as an authority on men’s fashion, G. Bruce Boyer was formerly fashion editor for GQ and Esquire.

8. “Walk like you have three men walking behind you”. – Oscar de la Renta
A Dominican-American fashion designer, De la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers who dressed Jacqueline Kennedy.

Oscar de la Renta. Credit: AP Images/Invision

9. “Style is primarily a matter of instinct”. – Bill Blass
Bill Blass was an American fashion designer and the recipient of many fashion awards, including seven Coty Award and the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

10. “What’s becoming very obvious to me is that fashion is art”. – Lupita Nyong’o
Last, but definitely not least, this gem from Lupita Nyong’o – best known for her roles as Maz Kanata in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy and as Nakia in the superhero film Black Panther. We couldn’t agree with her more.

Do you have any great style and fashion quotes that you live by?