The bouclé jacket

It’s a timeless classic that will never go out of style.

And this one from River Island is the best thing I’ve worn this year.

*In collaboration with River Island 😍

The AW18 fashion trends reference almost every decade of fashion history. I’ve put together three outfits that draw on vintage trends, with the star being this beautiful long-line check bouclé jacket from River Island.

It wasn’t completely intentional, but I’m sort of channeling Chanel circa ’80s and ’90s in these outfits. A sort of Linda Evangelista crossed with Jennifer Aniston of the Friends era, but a lot less ‘model-esque’ looking.

What is bouclé anyway?

bouclé
ˈbuːkleɪ/

noun
yarn with a looped or curled ply, or fabric woven from this yarn.
“a bouclé jacket”

It’s a French variation of tweed. It’s buckled tweed (bouclé) en anglais… Boucler means ‘to buckle’, so bouclé means ‘buckled’ – little French lesson for you.

Coco Chanel’s jacket is the most iconic. Chanel began using tweed in the ’20s and  ’30s, after she commissioned a Scottish factory to make her tweed fabric in 1924. Her idea for the jacket came from clothes that she borrowed from her boyfriend, the Duke of Westminster.

Advertorials for the Chanel suit in the 1980s.

Chanel propelled this jacket into style in the ’50s after the first tweed two-piece suit for women was introduced into her collections. Inspired by menswear and, being the forward-thinking woman she was, tired of restrictive womenswear, created the little black jacket which was comfy and practical, with pockets.

…It is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman is in want of pockets.

“Chanel created the jacket in the ’50s and there was not a specific color; effectively the jackets existed in a host of colors. However, black is one of the fundamental colors of the House and thus was used for this jacket project.”

–Discovering the true inspiration behind the jacket

I love this outfit – so autumnal! 

Turtleneck top* | Bouclé jacket* | Cream elastic boots* | Faux leather skirt | Gold-tone earrings : all River Island

3 reasons the bouclé jacket will never go out of style

1 The bouclé jacket is a timeless classic

A tweed, bouclé jacket comes back every season and every decade. Just with a few tweaks, here and there, like bigger shoulder pads, smaller shoulder pads, double-breasted, single-breasted… big buttons, small buttons.

This style of jacket is going nowhere. Every designer has their own twist on the bouclé jacket. So you can be happy that if you invest in a piece like this that it won’t go out of style in a few years.

When a horse is better at modeling than you…

2 The bouclé jacket makes ANY outfit look 100% chicer

I love it together with this sleeveless turtleneck sweater* – I feel so Rachel Green in this and it’s so comfy! The grey turtleneck can be casual – I wore it with trackies a few days ago, but with this jacket, it becomes a whole new look.

Imagine pairing it with boots and a pair of frayed hem jeans? Instant chic look that’s not too try hard. (I’m going to try that outfit next). Peep-toe ankle boots* are just what my feet ordered in this very strange warm autumn weather. The elastic makes these so comfy to wear.

Ready for cocktails 🍸

Bouclé jacket* | Cream elastic boots* | Pink bralet | Black button front leggings | Gold-tone earrings : all River Island

3 The bouclé jacket is versatile

You could easily wear this with some smart black trousers to the office and be ready for a conference call, but at the same, this jacket is ready for cocktails out with the girls.

Since the weather hasn’t been too cold, I’ve been wearing this instead of a coat. But when it does get colder, this will be a good layer underneath my long coat.

This will also last through to the Spring when it starts to get warmer and you don’t need a coat anymore.

Why this jacket?

The gold buttons add a vintage and luxurious feel to the jacket and its lining is of a good quality. Some jackets on the high street don’t even have a lining. I always rely on River Island for a good quality jacket and coat. (I had one from River Island when I was 17 years old and I’ve only just replaced it. That’s nine years it lasted). This bouclé jacket is one that you can get out again next autumn and winter… and then the next.  It will look lovely with a jumper dress or a summer dress.

I decided to go for the long-line jacket as opposed to the shorter ones. It’s flattering because it elongates the body and it provides warmth for the derrière… meaning you could also wear it with some cycling shorts underneath. If you’re feeling really sassy and, as Laura, my friend and photographer-for-the-evening, said ‘like a boss bitch’, then you could wear this jacket as a dress. What would you call that? A dracket?

I love the classic black and white check – the most timeless colours for the little bouclé jacket and the check is a solid staple pattern.

Plus it has pockets.

Feeling fancy! Trying to rock the ’80s power look

Bouclé jacket* | Cream elastic boots* | Gold-tone earrings : all River Island

4 ways to wear it

1 Casual aka going out

2 Office aka going to work 

3 Smart Casual aka going out-out

4 Extra bouji aka going out-out-out (or taking sultry photos with your friends!)

Do you like how I’ve styled this jacket? I actually found out some interesting things about tweed and bouclé while researching this.

Leave a comment telling me what you think is your staple autumn jacket!

Thanks for reading x

*These items were gifted, but all my opinions are honest and my own.

AutumnAW18BoucléChanelCheckCollaborationDupesFashionHigh-streetInspirationRiver IslandStyleStyle inspirationTrendsTweed