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Bouclé

What is Bouclé?

Bouclé is a woven or knitted fabric made with bouclé yarns. These yarns have small loops or curls, which create the fabric’s characteristic textured surface. The word bouclé comes from French and means “curled” or “looped”, referring to the structure of the yarn.

Depending on the composition and construction, bouclé can feel soft and woolly, firm and structured, or lighter and more flexible. Fashion bouclé is often used for Chanel-style jackets, blazers, coats and skirts, while heavier bouclé qualities are also suitable for upholstery, cushions and interior decoration.

View Bouclé collection

Specifications

  • Construction Woven or knitted fabric with looped or curled bouclé yarns
  • Composition Often wool, cotton, polyester, acrylic or blended fibres
  • Fabric weight Within the Nooteboom Textiles range, we mainly see bouclé around 280–650 g/m².
  • Stretch Usually little to no stretch; knitted bouclé may have moderate stretch
  • Abbreviations WO = wool, CO = cotton, PES = polyester, PAN = acrylic
  • Appearance Textured, looped, soft, voluminous and luxurious

What are the properties of bouclé?

The characteristic surface comes from yarns with loops or curls that create an irregular three-dimensional texture. These yarns give the fabric more volume and can trap air, which contributes to a warm and substantial hand feel. Depending on how the yarn is woven or knitted, bouclé can range from firm and structured to softer and more flexible. The exposed loops can also make the surface more sensitive to snagging and friction than a smooth fabric.

How does bouclé feel?

Bouclé usually feels textured, soft and slightly bulky rather than smooth. The surface can range from fine and compact to coarse and distinctly looped, depending on the yarn size and construction.

Wool bouclé generally has a warmer, more natural hand feel, while polyester or acrylic blends can feel lighter, smoother or more uniform. The irregular surface is one of the main reasons bouclé creates such a distinctive visual effect without requiring a print.

Applications

  • Jackets: structured Bouclé qualities work well for jackets where surface texture and body are important.
  • Blazers: suitable for tailored styles when the construction provides sufficient stability.
  • Coats: heavier qualities can be used for outerwear and structured coats.
  • Skirts: suitable for skirts that benefit from a textured and defined silhouette.
  • Dresses: more flexible qualities can be used for structured dresses and coordinated garments.
  • Interior textiles: selected qualities may be suitable for cushions or upholstery when abrasion resistance and other technical requirements have been verified.

Wash Instructions

  • Washing temperature: always follow the article-specific care label, as washable synthetic qualities and wool-rich Bouclé can require different care.
  • Drying advice: air drying is generally preferred to help preserve the looped surface and shape.
  • Ironing instructions: avoid heavy pressure on the loops and use low heat or light steam when permitted.
  • Dry cleaning: wool-rich or specially finished qualities may require professional dry cleaning.
  • Special considerations: minimise friction and heavy spinning because exposed loops can snag or become distorted.

Other Information

  • Certifications: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and other article-specific claims may apply and should be checked per individual quality.
  • Surface structure: loop size can range from very fine and compact to coarse and strongly pronounced.
  • Snagging: exposed loops can catch on sharp objects, so careful handling is important during production and use.
  • Seam finishing: woven Bouclé may fray at cut edges and therefore benefits from secure seam finishing.

What Is the Difference Between Bouclé and Teddy Fabric?

Bouclé and Teddy are both textured fabrics, but their surface structures are different. Bouclé gets its texture mainly from visible loops and curls in the yarn, while Teddy has a raised, fluffy pile that creates a fleece-like surface. Bouclé is often more defined and structured, whereas Teddy generally feels softer, fluffier and more pile-driven.

Read more in our Teddy Fabric Guide.

Does Bouclé Fray Easily?

Woven Bouclé can fray noticeably because the textured yarns and relatively open structures may loosen at cut edges. The exact amount depends on the construction and yarn size. Secure seam finishes and careful handling after cutting help keep the edges under control.

Is Bouclé Suitable for Upholstery?

Some Bouclé qualities can be suitable for upholstery, but the surface appearance alone does not determine whether a fabric is appropriate for furniture. Abrasion resistance, seam strength, dimensional stability and any relevant flame-retardancy requirements should be checked for the specific quality. Fashion Bouclé should therefore not automatically be treated as upholstery fabric.

Practical Tip

Bouclé can fray or snag more easily because of its looped yarn structure. Use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter when cutting, handle the fabric carefully and finish seams properly to prevent fraying. For jackets and coats, a lining is recommended to improve comfort, shape and durability.

FAQ

What is Bouclé made from?
Bouclé can be made from polyester, wool, cotton, acrylic or blends, so the exact composition should always be checked per quality.
Is Bouclé always a woven fabric?
No, Bouclé can be woven or knitted because the name primarily describes the looped yarn structure.
Does Bouclé stretch?
Stretch varies considerably, with some woven qualities having little stretch and some knitted or specially constructed qualities being more flexible.
Is Bouclé a warm fabric?
Many heavier or wool-rich Bouclé qualities feel warm because of their volume, but warmth depends on composition, density and construction.
Can Bouclé be used for furniture?
Only qualities with suitable technical performance should be used for upholstery, so abrasion resistance and other requirements need to be checked first.
Why does Bouclé snag easily?
The loops and curls are exposed at the surface and can catch more easily on sharp or rough objects than a smooth fabric.

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Written by

Dave Van der Steen Nooteboom Textiles

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