This shabby chic jacket might not be for perfectionists, but it does have a rugged charm to it. Photo: Instagram/HM
Fashion has never been more exciting than it is now as everything old is new again!
Suddenly, it feels perfectly fine, even fashionable, to wear or use old clothes, shoes, or bags, no matter how tattered they are.
What was once dismissed or discarded for being worn-out now carries a certain charm and coolness. Yes, you read that right.
Thanks to some of fashion’s biggest names, anything shabby is now stylish, fatigued yet fashionable, distressed yet desirable. The more lived-in it looks, the better.
Imperfection is no longer a flaw, but a fashion statement that’s all about style, character and effortless chic.
Model Bella Hadid carries the Tabby bag with an aged effect giving it a look that is worn but wonderfully in vogue. Photo: Instagram/Coach
Read more: Is this the year of barrel pants, or have they already become a chic classic?
Not for the timid or anyone obsessed with neatness, some of the newest creations are, well, not exactly new. Fresh off the runway, yet they look like they’ve been dragged across the runway, literally!
Case in point is the iconic 2.55 handbag from Chanel, now given a perfectly imperfect twist, with a look that could be called “destroyed chic”.
Part of the French brand’s newly-appointed fashion artistic director Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection for Spring/Summer 2026, the handbag has drawn mixed reviews.
Some are calling it disastrous, others hailing it as daringly brilliant.
Created in 1955 by Gabrielle Chanel, Blazy’s interpretation comes with a timeworn update, complete with dents, crinkles, folds and scuffs, and worn open to reveal the signature burgundy interior.
That loved look is also evident on Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway, where a single-breasted leather jacket shows subtle discolourations and fading, as though it has been worn for years.
While some might find the patina a flaw, we feel it gives the piece depth and character.
A similar style can be found at Swedish high-street brand H&M, whose dark brown jacket has been deliberately treated for an aged effect.
Not for the perfectionist, it is charmingly rugged though.
Read more: Retro restyled: Fashion revives vintage aesthetics with a modern, wearable edge
Famous for its trench coats, reimagined every season, Burberry goes the weathered way this time around. Its double-breasted trench comes in seasoned denim that feels laid-back, lived-in and full of character. Epaulettes lend the design even more attitude.
This could pair well with Prada’s footwear, created with raw-edged finishing and crafted from leather that looks like it’s seen many miles of walking.
Coach even has a dedicated range celebrating the art of ageing gracefully, called Loved Leather.
Available in a variety of bag designs, each piece is crafted from butter-soft dark brown glove-tanned leather, treated with a rub-off technique that subtly reveals the base colour for a beautifully love-worn finish. What a worn-derful idea!
