Bouclé is back
Trendsetters are loving the textured material right now, says KATIE WRIGHT.
EVER since the mid-1950s, when Coco Chanel reimagined what was previously a menswear design, the bouclé jacket has never really gone out of style.
Beloved by royals, pop stars, supermodels and high fashion enthusiasts down the decades, a short, sharp Chanel blazer in the distinctive textured fabric (bouclé refers to both the yarn and the woven textile) is a timeless classic – and with a four-figure price tag, it’s the ultimate investment buy.
Yet despite its iconic sartorial status, bouclé hasn’t always been embraced by everyone in the fashion world.
Previously seen as stuffy and a bit too prim and proper by some, recently the fabric has had a major resurgence – and now it’s in high demand among trendsetters of all ages.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been wearing more tailored looks of late, and was pictured in Copenhagen earlier this year in a red bouclé-style blazer – a £59.99 Zara steal that immediately sold out online (but has since been restocked).
On Instagram, fashion influencers are proving bouclé is anything but boring, showing off everything from minidresses and playsuits to bra tops and bags. And on the high street, you’ll find plenty of lightweight pieces perfect for this transitional time of year.
A black cropped jacket is eternally stylish and will serve you well for years to come, but for a more modern take on the trend, how about a sassy skirt suit in a bold hue, a pastel blazer or a textured cardigan?
And if you want to bring a boxy blazer up to date, team with this season’s highwaisted, wide-leg trousers, or jeans and a crisp white shirt. Add heels and a statement necklace to take the look from day to night.
From jackets to bags, these are some of the best bouclé and textured pieces on the high street...
Bouclé military double breasted blazer in blue, £50; White T-shirt (stylist’s own); Comfort stretch boyfriend jean – mid wash, £35, Very
■ These rather Instagrammable bottles look super expensive but are actually from a new range at Boots called combining minimalistic design with an equally minimalistic price tag of £9.99 per eau de parfum With clean and simple fragrance names (Pomelo Citrus & Neroli and Lychee & Rose Bouquet... you get the picture) they are bound to appeal to Jo Malone and Atelier Cologne fans, too.
Scentology,
■ Hands up who wants to have younger skin in four hours’ time? Well, dip a finger into
£19.99 each, and your wish will be granted! Kind of. The night and day creams both contain pure bakuchiol, an ingredient shown to boost collagen production by 48% in four hours. Admittedly, this was a lab test on skin cells, and since collagen regeneration starts way below the surface, you’re not likely to see a magical difference in 240 minutes. However, when real women used the creams for a month in an independent trial, they all reported an anti-ageing difference. Four hours, four weeks, who’s counting?
■ only ventured into the world of skincare a few weeks ago, with two refillable cleansers, but already the brand is onto the next step in your skincare routine: liquid exfoliants to suit everyone. Go for Tiptoe In PHA, £34, if you have sensitive skin, Find Your Balance BHA, £36, if blemishes and clogged pores are a concern, or Reveal Yourself AHA, £38, for the ultimate anti-ageing glow.
■ We love these new primers, £16, from natural beauty brand
Designed to prep skin before you apply makeup, choose from Hydrate & Illuminate, which gives skin a moisture boost; Correct & Even, which minimises redness; and Blur & Mattify, which is good for oily complexions. nudebynature.co.uk
Nude by Nature.
Oversized bags are bang on trend this season. This bright one from Pull & Bear fits the brief perfectly, priced £19.99 at pullandbear.com