This $80 Massimo Dutti sweater looks exactly like the Chanel piece that caused a sensation on the catwalk

Sometimes all it takes is one piece to sum up the spirit of a fashion show. During the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2025-2026 fashion show in New York, Matthieu Blazy notably made an impression with a seemingly very simple look: a beige knit sweater with a high zipped collar, combined with jeans and a deliberately relaxed silhouette. Far from the ultra-logo Chanel or immediately recognizable suits, this proposal focused on a much more instinctive, almost everyday elegance.

A few months later, this aesthetic is already starting to be found in more accessible brands. At Massimo Dutti, a camel-colored knitted sweater with a high zipped collar displays a silhouette surprisingly close to the one seen on the catwalk. Sold for 80 euros, it is obviously not a copy of the Chanel model, but incorporates enough of its codes to constitute a particularly interesting alternative for those who want to adopt this trend without investing in a luxury piece.

The Chanel sweater that marked Matthieu Blazy’s first New York show

To understand why this piece attracts so much attention, we have to go back to the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2025-2026 show. Presented in New York in December 2025, the show was a particularly observed moment: it was one of Matthieu Blazy’s first major collections for the house after his arrival as artistic director.

The designer then proposed a vision of Chanel significantly different from certain codes to which the house had accustomed its public. Tweed, jewelry, bags and historical references are still present, but alongside much simpler, almost utilitarian clothing. And it is precisely this contrast that makes this sweater so interesting: with its zipped collar, its comfortable knit and its slightly masculine look, it could almost pass for a wardrobe basic.

The first look of the show also had a special story. Model Bhavitha Mandava, who opened the show, wore an outfit inspired by the one she wore when she was spotted on the New York subway. The beige sweater and jeans thus fully participated in this desire to bring Chanel into dialogue with daily life and the energy of New York.

This choice was therefore not trivial. Rather than starting with a spectacular silhouette, Blazy chose an extremely simple outfit, but worked in its proportions and materials. A way of suggesting that the new luxury could also involve pieces that we really want to wear every day.

Massimo Dutti offers a particularly convincing 80 euro version

This is precisely where the Massimo Dutti model becomes interesting. The Spanish brand currently offers a high-neck knitted sweater containing wool, available in camel color at a price of 80 euros. Its particularity? A zipped closure on the front which allows the collar to be worn more or less open, long sleeves and ribbed finishes.

On paper, nothing revolutionary. But when we look at it next to the Chanel silhouette, the connection is obvious.

The first similarity is obviously the zipped trucker collar, which is the most immediately identifiable element of the look. It transforms a classic sweater into a much more structured piece and instantly gives that slightly masculine look that characterizes the Blazy silhouette.

Second common point: color. The Massimo Dutti model is presented in camel, in a warm shade that works particularly well with raw or lightly faded blue jeans. It was precisely the combination that made the Chanel look so desirable: a neutral sweater, simple denim and a silhouette that seemed effortless.

Finally, there is the overall simplicity of the piece. No visible logo, no pattern, no superfluous decorative detail: the volume, the knit and the collar are enough to give character to the sweater. And that’s probably what makes it a better “dupe” than a literal imitation with a fake logo or artificially reproduced Chanel details.

How to wear this sweater to get the Chanel look?

The good news is that it’s absolutely not necessary to recreate the runway look down to the last millimeter. On the contrary, the interest of this piece lies in its ease of integration into a daily wardrobe.

To rediscover the spirit of the Chanel look, jeans obviously remain the best ally. You can choose a straight or slightly loose model, preferably in medium blue or raw denim. With a pair of ballerinas, moccasins or simple ankle boots, the result is immediately more fashionable without becoming too sophisticated.

Another possibility: play the men’s wardrobe card to the fullest. The camel sweater works very well with straight black pants, gray suit pants or even white jeans. A leather belt and a small structured bag are then enough to feminize the silhouette.

The detail not to be overlooked, however, remains the way of wearing the zip. Completely closed, the collar gives a more preppy and more graphic look. Slightly open, it becomes much more casual and reveals a white t-shirt or tank top. It’s this second option that probably comes closest to the effortless attitude of the Chanel look.

A Chanel “dupe”, really?

We must obviously keep one important nuance: the Massimo Dutti sweater is not the Chanel sweater. The material, construction, finishes, exact proportions and price are not comparable. To speak of “copy” would therefore be excessive.

On the other hand, in terms of stylistic inspiration, the resemblance is particularly successful. We find the elements that made the look of the fashion show work: a beige/camel knit, a high zipped collar, a comfortable and masculine silhouette and above all this impression of discreet luxury which does not rely on any logo.

This is probably the best way to understand the current trend: rather than trying to reproduce luxury pieces down to the smallest detail, accessible brands take up the silhouette codes that emerge on the catwalks. And in this case, this gives a piece at 80 euros which makes it very easy to appropriate one of the strong ideas of the new Chanel.

At this price, the Massimo Dutti sweater clearly deserves its place in the category of the season’s most successful runway dupes. Especially if you like this new, more relaxed, more New York and clearly less “ladylike” Chanel aesthetic.

Where to find the Massimo Dutti sweater?

The high-neck knitted sweater containing wool is currently available at Massimo Dutti at a price of 80 euros, in camel color, under the reference 1426/226. The brand describes it as a model with a zipped stand-up collar, long sleeves and ribbed finishes.