Kmart shoppers losing it over 'stunning' $99 dupe of $500 designer item: 'Omg I need'

If you've been eyeing those chic bouclé chairs popping up all over Instagram, but the $500 price tag of those designer versions is giving you pause, Kmart might just have the solution. Their latest affordable dupe—a budget-friendly bouclé chair—is turning heads for all the right reasons. But can it really hold its own against its high-end counterparts, like the nearly identical version from Zara that’s priced at over $500? We turned to interior designer Zoe Gilpin, the creative mind behind the popular Instagram account The DIY Decorator, to get her expert opinion.

"I definitely think that the cheaper bouclé fabrics available now are worth purchasing for people on a budget or who like to change up their interior often and don't want to commit to a pricier piece," Zoe told Yahoo Lifestyle. "However like all things cheaper, purchasers should be aware that these items just won't last as long compared to a piece that is of better quality."

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Zoe added, "However, I myself have a few bouclé pieces around my home which are of a mid-price point so they are still in great quality after years of use."

While Zoe points out the trade-offs between affordability and longevity, it seems that many shoppers are more than willing to embrace the trend without breaking the bank. Aussie TikToker Mel Saarinen is one such shopper, who recently shared her excitement about discovering the Kmart bouclé chair, exclaiming, “Hello my fellow Kmart lovers, I have to show you what I found. Do you know how long I've been waiting to find a cute bouclé chair that isn't like $500? I found one.”

She went on to gush, “How cute is she?? I LOVE IT! I am obsessed. If you've been wanting a cute bouclé chair, go into Kmart. And not hard to put together, it took 2 seconds and she is just stunning.”

Followers were quick to jump on the bandwagon, with comments like “I think I need to run to Kmart,” “It’s sooo cute,” and “I’m buying it RN” flooding her post.

"Omg running to Southland RIGHT NOW - been eyeing up one from Freedom Furniture for $800!!," one excited shopper wrote.

What is bouclé, exactly?

Bouclé is a type of fabric characterised by its looped, curly texture, giving it a unique, nubby appearance. Originating in the mid-20th century, it was initially popular in the 1950s, thanks to iconic designers like Coco Chanel. It’s making a major comeback today, with its cosy, tactile appeal fitting perfectly into the modern trend of creating warm, inviting spaces.

Zoe explained to Yahoo Lifestyle that the mid-century era bouclé fabrics have indeed made a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years.

"With texture being a big part of the interior scene this year, people are wanting to add in fabrics such as bouclé with their furniture pieces and soft furnishings as it adds that extra element of interest and gives a space a more luxe look," she said.

What's the difference between cheap and expensive bouclé?

Zoe continued, "The difference now is that it's not just being used in higher end interiors as there are now many retailers offering more affordable bouclé options such as the popular $99 Remi bouclé lounge chair from Kmart."

"When it comes to types of bouclé fabrics, higher end boucle tends to be a denser/hardier fabric containing loops and curls, where the cheapest alternatives tend to be a softer fabric which still has that textural look, but are not likely to last as long as true bouclé fabrics," she explained.

As bouclé finds its way back into the spotlight, it’s no surprise that retailers like Kmart are jumping on the trend, offering more affordable versions that allow design lovers to get the look for less. But the big question remains—will Kmart's version stand the test of time, or is it worth splurging on the original?

How to care for boucle

Zoe advises protecting bouclé pieces with fabric protector to ensure they stay clean and are protected from spills and stains as it can be a harder fabric to clean with the potential for damaging the loops/curls.

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"If using a fabric protect/scotch guard for protection, ensure to spray on and massage in the product with a cloth so that the product gets in between the loops. I would highly recommend treating any bouclé product to protect it, but especially cheaper fabrics as they are going to be harder to clean,"

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