The texture taking over our autumn wardrobes
Suede is autumn’s best friend. It waits patiently in the wardrobe while linen has its moment, knowing that the very first cooler morning will bring it back into our lives.
And, personally, I am always very happy about that.
I have loved suede for years and wear it in almost every possible form. Jackets, bags, boots, loafers – even the occasional suede skirt or pair of trousers when I find the right cut. There is something about its texture that makes even the simplest outfit feel richer, warmer and much more considered.
A suede jacket can make jeans and a white T-shirt look like a proper outfit. A chocolate-brown bag immediately softens an all-black look. Suede loafers with tailored trousers somehow feel more interesting than their classic leather equivalent. It is one of those materials that does not have to be loud to completely change the mood of what you are wearing.
This autumn, suede is not limited to one particular piece or silhouette. It is appearing everywhere, from oversized bomber jackets and cropped styles to soft shoulder bags, trainers, boots, skirts, dresses and matching separates. The colours are also moving beyond classic tan, although I still believe tan suede will always have a permanent place in an autumn wardrobe. Chocolate brown, espresso, burgundy, olive and deep taupe all feel particularly relevant right now.
For me, chocolate brown is probably the most tempting option. It looks beautiful with cream, denim, grey, black and burgundy, and it has the ability to make almost anything look more expensive. You also do not need to match every brown perfectly. In fact, I prefer slightly different shades worn together – a tobacco jacket, dark chocolate bag and cream trousers feel much more effortless than a completely coordinated look.
The easiest way to wear the trend is to choose one suede piece and keep everything around it simple. Add a jacket to denim and a fine knit, carry a suede bag with your usual tailoring, or replace leather loafers with a softer brown pair. Suede already adds so much texture that the rest of the outfit does not need to work particularly hard.
Of course, it is also a material that requires a little more attention. I always recommend protecting suede before wearing it for the first time and being realistic about the weather. As much as I love a pale suede shoe, it would not be my first choice on a rainy day. Bags and jackets are often easier investments because they are less exposed and can return to your wardrobe every autumn for years.
When shopping, pay attention to the richness of the colour, the softness of the material and, especially with jackets and ready-to-wear, the cut. Suede naturally has weight and structure, so the silhouette needs to feel intentional. A well-cut suede jacket can last for years; one with too many unnecessary details can quickly feel dated.
The Investment Edit
If you are planning to invest in suede, I would begin with a jacket or bag in a neutral shade. These are the pieces that will work hardest in your wardrobe and will not depend on one particular season.
A clean, slightly relaxed jacket is probably my first choice. It can replace a blazer at the beginning of autumn and later be layered under a coat. For bags, I love soft, unstructured shapes that allow the texture to be the main detail. Chocolate brown, tobacco, camel and deep burgundy are all timeless enough to return to year after year.
Shoes are slightly more delicate, but a beautiful pair of suede loafers or ankle boots can completely transform the basics you already own. Just consider them a fair-weather luxury rather than the shoes you wear through every possible autumn forecast.
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The High-Street Edit
The high street is especially strong on suede this season, so this is not a trend that necessarily requires a major investment.
There are some excellent jackets, bags, loafers and suede-effect pieces available at the moment. My advice is to look for simple silhouettes, deeper colours and minimal hardware. Those details generally make an affordable piece appear far more elevated. It is also the perfect place to experiment with something less predictable, perhaps a burgundy bag, an olive jacket or a suede skirt, before deciding whether the style deserves a long-term place in your wardrobe.
Below, I have selected all the suede pieces currently worth knowing about, from designer investments to high-street finds. Instead of separating them into endless categories, consider this one complete suede wardrobe: jackets, bags, shoes and ready-to-wear, all in one place.
Now the only difficult part is deciding which one gets added to basket first.
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