So I was reading some comments on my YouTube channel recently…
…and one guy asked:
“Can a man wear suede?”
Several of the answers were saying “No – never!”
I was shocked!
That is horrible advice.
Why should a man wear suede?
3 reasons:
- Texture (It's a “touchable” material)
- Masculinity (Incredibly similar to leather signals)
- Uncommon (Most guys are scared to wear & maintain suede)
In the video – I also take 4 different suede jackets and show you how to style them.
This article is going to cover everything there is to know about what suede is, how to care for it, and how to style it.
This article is brought to you by JL Rocha.
Did you notice the amazing olive green suede jacket I was wearing in the video? It's from JL Rocha. I helped Jose Luis design his NEW line of suede jackets.
From now until Dec. 15th you can use code RMRS for 40% OFF. This great deal is temporary – so grab one of the jackets ASAP!
Click here to check out the AWESOME suede jackets from JL Rocha
1. What Is Suede?
Suede is a clothing material that’s a specialized form of leather. It shares similar properties with normal leather but here's the main difference:
- Leather comes from the outer skin of an animal
- Suede is made using the corium aka split grain (the layer underneath the skin)
- Suede is softer than standard leather but more vulnerable to stains
The first ever suede items were women’s gloves that had been imported from Sweden to France. They were known as gants de Suède or “gloves of Sweden” before people would start using the material for many more things. Now we have suede jackets, bags, shoes and even furniture available.
What makes suede a high-demand fashion commodity is that it feels great. Women enjoy the “fuzzy” or napped finish of suede products that aren’t found in leather ones. And more men these days have realized how stylish & masculine it is.
2. What Suede Does For Your Style
It's a collaboration between style and function when it comes to suede. Suede is uncommon (so you will stand out) and also warm & protective.
But first, you need to understand the do's and do not's in matching suede with other clothes – especially for suede jackets. You can read this article to learn more about wearing leather jackets (in which similar principles apply to suede jackets).
Here are the pluses of wearing suede:
Suede & Elegance
Some clothing materials appear showy or “trying too hard” but suede isn’t among them. Suede is meant to go with simple outfits and enhance them. The trick is to tone down the rest of your clothes and avoid too many patterns or colors. Suede does just enough to spice the whole thing up.
Suede & Luxury
Since suede isn’t as commonly worn as leather, it’s viewed as luxurious. It’s a symbol of status for one who wears it with the right clothes and a lot of confidence. For example – a suede trench coat displays that level of prestige. It’s something worth investing in since most men dress in blazers or bomber jackets.
Suede & Attitude
Beyond confidence – there’s a swagger that comes with wearing suede. It’s best shown when you wear a suede jacket with the sleeves rolled up and use a laid-back body language. A guy should make sure the jacket fits his frame and functions like a second layer of skin. This will help him give off that “cool” aura.
Suede & Versatility
Some people don’t realize this but it’s true. Suede is a versatile fabric that can be worn at any time or season. And beyond that it, goes well with various colors and combinations:
- Brown suede can be mixed and matched with plain shirts and denims for a stylish casual look
- Suede looks fantastic when you use multiple shades of brown/beige for a head-to-toe tonal style
- All the classic colors – navy blue, black, white and gray – go perfectly with brown suede
- Suede can soak up light and appear darker, which lets it add another dimension to a monochrome outfit
- A green suede jacket stands out really well when combined with jeans that have a deep contrasting color (like indigo)
3. Removing Stains From Suede
It’s true that suede can stain more easily than leather. In fact it’s pretty high-maintenance. But the thing I’d like to stress is that you CAN clean it when necessary.
First and foremost – you must let the stain dry off at room temperature. You can play it safe by waiting for the next day to start cleaning. And then as long as you know the different tools and purposes of each one, you'll be fine.
Suede Brush
This is your go-to device for scrubbing dirt or mud marks off your suede material. It’s a kind of brush that has brass bristles on the inside. The stiffness of these bristles is effective but it also means you must brush gently.
The key is to use short strokes going in the same direction. This work shouldn’t be done on a hard surface – it’s best to place a towel underneath while using the brush. You should only apply more pressure if the mark is more troublesome.
Erasers on Suede
Here’s a life hack that you may not have tried before. You can use a colorless pencil eraser or brown gum eraser for small spots/lines of stain. Once you’ve gotten rid of the marks, you can use the eraser again or a damp cloth to restore the nap of the suede.
But like a suede brush – it’s important to use an eraser gently. And you should never try a pink eraser because the item might end up absorbing some pink dye.
Paper Towel & Suede
This works best for coffee, tea and juice stains. The trick is to place two layers of paper towels over the stain before you start using a brush. You need to apply moderate pressure using your hands or a flat object.
Checking The Label of Suede
Before you do any cleaning, always check the label on your suede jacket (or any expensive clothing for that matter) for cleaning instructions. Remember that not all items that are made of suede have the exact same composition.
Suede Protector Spray
Suede needs a protective product the same way that leather does. You’ll find suede protector sprays at leather stores or other shops which sell suede products. They shield your jacket from the elements that can cause stains. I recommend spraying once or twice a year for all suede items.
4. Treating Suede That’s Soaking Wet
Ideally you don’t want to expose suede to rain or water – but sometimes it happens. The manufacturing process of suede does happen in water so it can endure some wetness. But you should still be careful about drying it.
The last thing you want is to end up with a jacket or pair of shoes that’s no longer wearable. That’s why it’s crucial that you stick to the following rules about wet suede.
Store Suede In A Cool Dry Place
Never leave your suede item out in the sun. Or never let it go through a dryer. The reason is that the fabric can fade or warp due to intense levels of heat. The item may also shrink or become as hard as jeans.
Use Plastic Hangers for Suede Jackets
It’s not a good idea to use wooden or painted hangers to hold up your suede pieces. The danger here is while the garment is wet, it might leech off the properties of the wood/paint. Plastic is the way to go.
When hanging a suede jacket:
- Use a plastic hanger with a good shape to keep the jacket in form
- Make sure everything is buttoned up and the sleeves are fixed
- Undo any folds or creases and make sure the pocket is lined flat
Spread Water Evenly On Suede Shoes
Things are a bit trickier with suede shoes. Your goal is to dry them evenly and lower their chances of getting water stains. Start this process by placing a towel or roll of newspaper inside the shoes.
The next step is to spray a thin layer of water evenly on the surface. If there are visible stains, you need to brush them gently and work around the edges. Then finally blot all of the moisture with a damp cloth.
5. Treating Suede: Professionally Vs. DIY
You can perform suede treatments at home that are pretty effective. You’ll get to remove typical surface stains provided you have the right brush or eraser. Plus with the gentle scrubbing, it shouldn't be so risky.
For more stubborn marks like oil and grease stains – it’s a hit and miss. You can apply baking soda to the area and brush it with controlled strokes. However, don’t be surprised if this doesn’t completely work. Suede isn’t as durable as standard leather. Sometimes it has to be passed on to a professional.
You need to look at the big picture in these situations: would you rather pay for the treatment or never use your jacket again because of some annoying stain?
If you want your jacket treated the best possible way, it's through dry-cleaning. Find a professional cleaner who specializes in leather and suede. It’s not cheap – but it guarantees results. You won’t have to worry about casualties. The toughest stains don’t disappear through aggressive techniques.
This article is brought to you by JL Rocha.
Did you notice the amazing olive green suede jacket I was wearing in the video? It's from JL Rocha. I helped Jose Luis design his NEW line of suede jackets.
From now until Dec. 15th you can use code RMRS for 40% OFF. This great deal is temporary – so grab one of the jackets ASAP!
Click here to check out the AWESOME suede jackets from JL Rocha
