The classic bouclé (boo-clay) jacket was popularized by the iconic French fashion designer Coco Chanel decades ago, and the look is still on-trend today. Though the term has become synonymous with the elegance of a classic wool jacket, "bouclé" actually refers to material made with boucle yarn and not a specific type of garment as some people think.

Bouclé yarn contains loops that range in size from large, loose curls to tight circlets. In fact, the word boucle is French and means "to curl." The larger the loops, the more texture the finished material will contain. Like other woven textiles, several colors can be used to create an endless variety of designs and patterns.

Material woven from bouclé yarn is used to make sweaters, jackets, accessories and wardrobe items in many styles. Today, boucle clothing is available in modern easy-care acrylics and blends as well as wool. Making boucle sweaters and jackets from lightweight materials such as acrylic gives them more versatility-boucle is no longer limited to the fall and winter wardrobe.