The Season of Suede
The days are growing cooler, the leaves are turning brown, a crisp chill settles in the air: the days of flimsy sweaters are numbered, as the creeping cold compels us to more substantial layering. As nature shifts with the season, our wardrobes follow suit, moving towards transitional pieces in preparation forwinter. But the fall fashion tradition goes beyond acquiring clothes to brace the newly found cold weather, it’s about an embracing of the cosy and comfy aesthetic that defines autumn.Think pumpkin lattes, warm fires, snug blankets translated into clothing pieces that can be mix-matched and layered. This year’sfall protagonist? Suede.
The term suede comes from the French word "gants de Suede"or Swedish gloves, over time coming to mean the soft, napped leather we know today. A staple in everything from outerwear to footwear, this fabric adds a new element to the simplest outfits: texture. Suede is velvety, buttery, fuzzy with a matte finish that can be contrasted with more satin silky pieces, paired with thick woolly knits or layered with cotton shirts for a more eclectic look. Often in its unstructured and slouchy form it adds an air of nonchalance to every outfit: think of the suede hobo bags, a staple of the effortless, on-the-go look.
Spring through fall, the humble suede never disappoints us: from light collared jackets, to loose trenches, to roomy bags, suede finds its place in every wardrobe. It’s versatile. And when the months grow colder it can be layered and paired to not only keep you warm but also to exude that cosy, comforting vibe that is quintessential to the season. Suede is warm and looks warm, especially in its typical deep chocolate brown, camel hues that echo the surrounding colours of autumnal nature. Another of my personal favourites is wine read or burgundy suede –a blend of two trends that work perfectly together to create a sophisticated sleek look.
While it has been a wardrobe staple for decades, this season suede has undoubtably experienced a much-deserved surge in popularity. From The Row to Chloé, Khaite to Ralph Lauren the fabric has been popping up in both Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer 2024 collections. The trend continues on the high street with brands such as COS, & Other Stories, Mango and Sézane making it a key feature of their latest pieces. This speaks to larger movement towards the resurgence of boho andwestern trend which reimagines traditional elements of these styles in a more polished yet effortless way. The boho vibeseems to find its ideal match in caramel suede, as sported by Bella Hadid who pairs it with a cotton shirt and baggy jeans in one of her horse-girl coded model-off-duty looks.
When it comes to styling, influencers and models as well as runways are the places to go for inspiration. Whether you’re channelling the casual charm of the frazzled English woman, or the timeless elegance of Caroline Basette-Kennedy’s looks,suede is the way to go. Here are some ways you can incorporate the trend in your wardrobe:
• Jackets and trenches - According to Elle suede jackets are set to be the must have investment piece for autumn and for good reason. Sported by Molly Mae in her latest Instagram posts, the suede trench is all the latest rage. For the best suede jackets and trenches I recommend looking at Zara, Anthropologie and COS (a very chic but slightly pricier embroidered option).
• Slouchy hobo bag – Another combination of trends, hobo suede bags are everywhere. Perfect as uni bag, work bags or day bags they are both functional and stylish with lots of space for laptop, books and anything else you may need. Check out & Other Stories and Noirvere for some good quality staples.
• Boots and loafers – Huge in the fall, boots and loafers (and now ballet flats) can make an outfit, especially if they are suede! Picture this –leather jacket, black turtleneck andbootcut jeans paired with sleek kitten heeled suede boots – anod to 90’s glamour that screams Lolerai Gilmore in fall. From Reformation to Massimo Dutti most brands will have their own versions.
That said, please don’t shy away from charity shops and online second-hand stores which perhaps hold the hidden gems when it comes to suede items. If there’s anything better than regular suede, its vintage suede – perhaps even designer – found at a super reasonable price; while Ebay, Vestiare and Vinted require a bit more scouring, the finds are unmatched! On top of that, ifyou are looking for other sustainable alternatives remember faux suede: nowadays much more common, more affordable and vegan!
Once acquired, however, a suede piece faces its challenges,being as stylish as it is delicate. In the ever so unpredictable British weather, as someone who never checks the weather forecast, it seems like a risky choice. For this I recommend investing in the very handy protecting sprays or simply taking the chance, either way works and, while one might leave you with exasperating rain marks, in my opinion it is worthwhile risk.
Have I convinced you yet? Whether it’s a bag, boots, a jacket or a trench, I suggest you lean into the trend. This is undoubtably the season of suede and I’m here for it.
Photography by Emmie Drummond