Like the LBD, the bouclé jacket is an iconic Chanel piece. And for years, I’ve dreamed of getting my hands on this textured classic. For now, however, I’m settling for a little piece of its history with a quick look back at how bouclé’s become so beloved.

Bouclé is actually a type of yarn with looped accents throughout. So, it’s not really a fabric in itself. But when woven, the yarn makes for a special type of textured tweed. Buckled tweed, to be exact, as the French word “bouclé” suggests. So it comes as no surprise that a French fashion house brought the fabric to life. Or rather, the French fashion house: Chanel.

In 1954, Coco Chanel created the iconic “Little Black Jacket” in – you guessed it – buckled tweed. The softness of the woven bouclé gave the menswear-inspired piece a feminine quality. Ever since, it’s become a polished Chanel staple, as recognizable as quilted leather.

By Jillian Hudon, Staff Writer

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