Suede jackets are a little different than whatever else is in your closet. For one thing, they’re a lot softer. Thanks to suede’s unique napped texture—a result of flipping the hide inside-out—they have the potential to achieve nigh-impossible levels of buttery softness. This fuzzy halo lends suede a more sophisticated look than conventional leather, but it’s also far more susceptible to damage, especially from water. This combination makes owning a beautiful suede jacket a bit like owning a silk shirt: take good care of it and it’ll look spectacular for years to come; neglect it and it’ll start looking shabby in a hurry.
Fortunately, caring for suede isn’t all that complicated. If you opt for roughout suede, the toughest and heaviest form of cowhide suede, you can treat it much the same as you would a denim jacket, letting the fabric take on its own patina as it molds to your body over time. If, however, you’re going for something more refined (like, say, goatskin or calfskin suede) you’re going to want to give it a regular once-over with a suede brush and an annual all-over spritz with a good-quality protective spray. With that taken care of, you’ll be free to enjoy the distinctively luxurious-yet-easygoing vibe that only a great suede jacket can impart.
