Home / Style / Clothing

Easily Upgrade Your Outerwear Collection with a Suede Jacket

Suede can upgrade just about any jacket. But, you have to be willing to prepare it for inclement weather.

man leaning against column wearing taylor stitch suede jacket Taylor Stitch
Nick Grant

By Nick Grant

Published

·

Updated

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

It’s hard to find a more paradoxical item of clothing than the suede jacket. On one hand, its soft, supple texture most often feels — and makes you look — like a million bucks. On the other hand, that million dollar feeling can just as quickly be taken away if you haven’t properly checked the forecast the day a bit of precipitation comes your way. Why does something so beautiful have to be so delicate? This ideology never seemed to stop the working class from wearing it in the factories or outdoors to stay warm. Nevertheless, clothes aren’t always just about function, are they? Probably why you’re reading an article about delicate fabric-laden outerwear, am I right?

Sexy suede outerwear has been a mainstay in contemporary, street-ready fashion for decades now, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find the right piece for you. However, we understand doing your own research on the matter can be difficult sometimes. From what country do you want your suede to be sourced? Calf or vegan? Button-down placket or zip front? Trucker or bomber-style? Don’t even get us started on whether it has any water-repellency at all. See? Giving you anxiety just thinking about it, isn’t it? It’s OK. No matter which you choose, it’s easy to care for and protect it.

How to Care for Your Suede Jacket

Just like you would your nubuck or premium leather shoes, or your fine wool trousers, suede jackets need to be primed and treated before you enjoy — kind of like prepping a steak before you throw it on the grill. There is a lot that goes into making suede: turning leather inside out, then buffing it, trimming it and smoothing it out. So, the desire to keep it looking pristine is warranted.

Order Suede Protector Spray

Apply a coat of it to the entire jacket and let it dry for 10-20 minutes. Do this before the first wear and every 4-6 weeks to keep the protective layer intact.

Buy a Suede Block

Invest in a suede block made of sandstone to gently rub out minor stains and marks. Make sure you go with the grain to prevent additional markings or damage. Finish ‘er off with a suede brush to keep it looking like new. Don’t have either of these things? You could also use a white pencil eraser to gently rub out those minor stains.

Address Stains Fast (but Gently)

To help remove water stains, spray a light mist of water — yes, you read that correctly; spray water to remove water. Science! — and lightly pat the suede with a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid. Then, lightly brush the suede — with the grain!

Phone a Professional

For major stains, seek professional help. No, seriously. Find a good dry cleaner you can depend on to help clean it. If you’re desperate, you could spray the impacted area with rubbing alcohol and wipe it with a sponge. However, we would still opt for option #1.

Remember the Golden Rule

Always brush with the grain.

The Best Suede Jackets for Men

Buck Mason wanted to make sure their Full Grain Suede Rider Jacket didn’t just talk the talk. It needed to walk the walk (withstand the tests of time). That’s why they opted to use full-grain suede, which is made from the strongest part of the cow’s skin, vat-dyed in indigo, then tumbled and washed for ultimate softness. Finished off with adjustable back tabs and patch pockets, you might just have the best suede jacket out there.

You can tell that Italian suede is better than all other suedes because it’s see through. Just kidding, but it does have a much, much finer nap that makes it oh-so buttery to the touch. That’s why Todd Snyder opted for a cappuccino-dyed Italian calf suede for his uber-versatile Dylan Jacket — an homage to the G.O.A.T. denim jacket-wearing, Bob Dylan.

You’re likely to get a couple of different explanations of what a rough-out suede is compared to a typical calf or lamb suede. Let me break it down for you: It’s fuzzier. Don’t misinterpret this as a bad thing though, especially as you feast your eyes on Tecovas’ Trucker Jacket, which is a mix of classic outerwear profiles and an incredibly unique roughout bovine suede that blends rugged and luxurious into one piece.

Schott is basically the Babe Ruth of leathers. When they put out a suede jacket, you take notice. Their perfectly-cut Harrington Jacket is fixed with a full-zip front and chest pocket, and a rich brown suede that can go with everything — including black!

Can it really be considered suede if it’s vegan? Well, if you’ve ever had a really good Impossible Burger then your answer would be yes immediately. Sefr’s Matsy Jacket, made from an extremely refined beige vegan suede, is one of the smoothest animal-free options you can get.

Full disclosure: I 100-percent, wholeheartedly understand if a suede trucker jacket in “dusty pink” isn’t quite what you anticipated spending $1,045 on. But here we are, basking in all its goat-suede, two-way-zipped, fully-lined-for-all-seasons-wear glory. Get the jacket.

Bomber jackets are quite possibly the most cyclically-revolving outerwear pieces since the dawn of man. OK, that’s a stretch, but no matter where you currently stand on the great bomber debate, there’s no denying that Taylor Stitch’s whiskey suede bomber with contrasting ribbed collar and hem should never, ever go out of style.

Do overshirts count as jackets? (Hint: they should.) For the sake of including this damn good piece from Percival, we go with an emphatic “yes.” The Vincent Button is made of a soft Espresso cotton suede and features a button down front and shorter body to really sell the world on the “shacket” concept.

Other’s Suede Trucker Jacket is inspired by the classic Type II Trucker Jacket with a more contemporary relaxed fit. As such, I can guarantee the fit is spot on. But it’s the luxurious tobacco suede finish that will have you falling in love. You don’t see a sweet light brown suede like this everyday. Don’t sleep on it for spring.

Not ready to risk it all on a lighter-colored suede piece? There is nothing wrong with going the black route, especially if it’s this shacket from Stockholm-based fan favorite, Our Legacy. Their black-dyed Portuguese suede and horned buttoned outerwear will ease your mind from the perils of visible stains.

, ,