If you’re looking for a forever jacket, you could do a lot worse than suede. Leather might be everywhere right now, but its low-key cousin comes without the high-shine gloss and dramatic connotations (think, The Matrix, Blade and, er, Grease). It's more casual, always cool and only gets better with age.
They’re similar, don’t get us wrong. But the big differentiator is that the best suede jackets are made from the matte underside of the animal skin, rather than the shinier top. It’s then brushed to create a tactile nap – which gives it that luxurious, velvety finish.
Luigi Fila, head designer at Italian brand Valstar – known for its suede jackets since 1911 – is obviously a big fan. “It’s a beautiful, rich material,” he says. “It’s also incredibly versatile, much more so than leather; it can be easily dressed up or down and mixes very naturally with most fabrics and textures.”
He means it: a suede jacket is truly trans-seasonal. It’ll work alongside wooly knits just as well as a breezy seersucker shirt. And what about when one jacket is simply not enough? “Suede is lightweight and supple, so it's easy to layer under another coat.”
So it’s versatile, you get the gist. But we’ll throw in a few examples of very different men, all rocking the suede jacket in their own way, to hammer it home. Keith Richards was partial to a plum trucker – always paired with black jeans – in the Rolling Stones' Sixties heyday. Steve McQueen’s tan racer-style suede jacket in Le Mans (1971) was revered for its driver-inspired throat latch and neat button fastenings. Fast forward to the 21st century, and David Beckham has worn every style of suede jacket, from a slick black bomber, to khaki Harrington and tan-collared versions (one of which we even spotted on Jeff Goldblum).
Is a suede jacket a good investment? The short answer is, yes. With the right care, buttery suede will only soften with age and develop a rich patina – more on that below. But obviously you have to choose the right design to even get to that stage. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our edit of the best men's suede jackets to buy now:
Best suede bomber jackets:
Valstar was the first to create a suede bomber, launching its luxurious take on the MA1 in 1935. Today, its iconic Valstarino is still made from buttery, brushed goat leather trimmed with cashmere ribbing and spliced with buttons through the front.
If you prefer something a little sportier, go for a simple Harrington or a varsity-inspired bomber. We love Axel Arigato's webbed style and Hedi Slimane's rock 'n' roll nubuck version complete with tactile chain fringing.
Best brown suede jackets:
If you want something timeless rather than trend-led, a brown suede jacket is always worth the investment. While we appreciate the statement inky black or navy-blue can make initially, these shades will lose that saturated finish over time. Tan, tobacco and chocolate-brown, on the other hand? They only get better with age.
Best suede shackets & blousons:
The most 2024 take on suede is the shacket – the boxy, easy-to-layer overshirt that's taken the high street by storm in recent years. Stick to the likes of Mr P. and Reiss if you want something affordable that'll actually last.
The OG version of this trend was the blouson, a menswear staple that's been around since the Forties (a sure sign it'll never date). Defined by its simple 'blousy' shape that's cinched with ribbing or elastic at the waist, this one is a match made in heaven with high waisted trousers.
How do I care for suede?
The reason you probably don’t already have a suede jacket hanging in your wardrobe is you've heard how high maintenance the fabric is. The stuff is porous, yes, which means it will absorb water very easily. But on the flip side, it is less likely to crack over time for this exact reason – with proper care, that is.
So what does that look like exactly? If yours doesn’t come with a waterproof treatment, then apply one before it leaves the house. We recommend doing a patch test somewhere inconspicuous, then spraying evenly from a distance and leaving to air for 24 hours.
Fila wants to put our minds at ease, though. “The truth is that if you treat it properly, before and after use, you can wear suede almost in any weather,” he says. "Even if you get it wet, as long as it’s not completely soaked through, suede generally holds up pretty well." Not that he’s recommending going dancing in the rain wearing your precious new suede jacket, but if you do get caught sans umbrella in a storm, don’t panic: “Just let it dry gently, then rub out the water spots with a soft sponge."
What you should be more worried about is where you’re storing your suede jacket in its down time, because un-even fading will look worse than a bit of wear and tear. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and leave it on a hanger rather than a hook, to maintain the shape.
Day to day, there is some low-effort upkeep involved. For minor marks and scuffs, a suede eraser is a handy tool to keep at home. So is a brush, which can be used to tame the nap and remove any dirt or dust (the super diligent will use it once a week). But when disaster strikes and you spill Friday night’s madras down your front, don’t try an at-home rescue mission. “For more serious stains, like oil or grease,” says Fila, “just take it to a specialist dry cleaner, they’ll know what to do.”
