At this time of year, my clients start to think about keeping warm but with style. A cardigan is cosy but simply not stylish enough for a lot of occasions. A Chanel style jacket, a woven jacket often in a boxy style with frayed edges to cuffs, neckline and around the outside edges, has been considered a stylish solution since Coco Chanel designed the first one in 1954. Every winter at least one of my clients will commission one of these gorgeous jackets to add to their wardrobe. It is a classic, an investment piece and if you choose the fabric carefully you will never regret it.

Jean, client – Elizabeth Bessant Couture Chanel style wool tweed jacket, multi colours with burnt orange and purple. Purple trousers also Elizabeth Bessant Couture

Elizabeth Bessant Couture Bouclé wool jacket and skirt suit in ivory and soft apricot

I am often asked what is the difference between a bouclé and a tweed jacket. A bouclé jacket is a term that has become synonymous with an elegant wool jacket, but the term actually refers to a type of fabric made with a bouclé yarn. The yarn features loops ranging from small tight circles to large curls and this is how it got its name – bouclé is French for curls. It can be woven in one colour or a mix to create a variety of designs and patterns. A bouclé jacket can be worn dressy or casual, its versatility makes it a good wardrobe investment. The unstructured style makes it perfect to wear to the office or a dinner, or dressed down with jeans for a relaxed weekend walk.

Elizabeth Bessant Couture mint and aqua wool tweed jacket with coral and turquoise beading, worn with Elizabeth Bessant couture lace dress and accessories

Tweed is a classic fabric and famously used by Coco Chanel but this fabric didn’t originate with the French Fashion House – instead Coco found her signature tweeds in England.

Plain twill weave using a single colour or a mix of colours and textures or even gold or silver lurex threads and fine organza ribbons are woven to add interest.

Every season new combinations and colour ways are launched to keep the style at the forefront of fashion.

A Chanel style tweed jacket always looks good no matter what your age or budget – from high street to designer collections and at the top of the pyramid Chanel itself.

Tweed is a lovely Autumn/Winter choice as it is thick, warm and durable – it is also timeless.

Sally wanted to add a Chanel style jacket to her wardrobe of classic couture garments. She thinks hard about her clothes and each piece is an investment so understandably she spent a lot of time choosing the choosing the tweed. It was going to be worn to a country house wedding, work meetings and weekend trips so it had to be versatile. She decided on a textured winter white with flecks of dark navy and fine shimmering threads that catch the light in a subtle way. Originally the jacket was made with a twisted satin braid trimming the edges and pockets and it featured brass buttons.

Sally wearing Elizabeth Bessant Couture Chanel style wool tweed jacket in winter white with navy fleck

Sally’s restyled Elizabeth Bessant Couture jacket

After a few wears to special occasion events, Sally felt her jacket would be more useful with a navy frayed wool trim and no buttons to achieve a relaxed style more suitable for work and day wear. I made the trim from two stripes of Linton wool fabric, one in navy and one white with fine ribbons woven into it and also removed the buttons. I often update or change a couture garment to keep it current as people’s requirements or lifestyle changes. Sally loved her jacket for the wedding but loves it’s new look even more.

If you would like to invest in a classic bouclé or tweed jacket or have one you would like refurbished you are welcome to contact me at [email protected] for advice.