A genuine suede jacket for women can be identified in three seconds if you know what to look for – and usually costs three times as much as one that only looks like suede. The question isn't which one is nicest, but which one suits what you are actually going to use the jacket for.
In this guide, we go through what suede actually is, how you tell the difference between genuine suede and imitation suede, what you gain and lose with each, which models suit the most people, how you care for a suede jacket during the Swedish autumn – and how you style it. Plus our current favorites.
Contents
- What is suede actually?
- How to spot the difference
- Genuine or imitation – what should you choose?
- Models and fit
- Care, rain, and stains
- How to style the suede jacket
- Our current favorites
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
What is suede actually?
Suede is leather that has been sanded on the inside so that the fibers rise. It is that velvety surface, the nap, which causes the material to shift in shade when you stroke it in different directions. Suede usually comes from lamb, goat, or calf, and the finer the animal, the softer the nap.
Imitation suede – often called suede-look, suede-style, or faux suede – is a woven textile material with a brushed surface that mimics the same feel. It is not an inferior material by definition. It is a different material, with other strengths, and it is important to know which one you have before you expose the jacket to the Swedish autumn weather.
How to spot the difference
Four tests, in the order of how easy they are to perform in a store:
Stroke against the nap. Genuine suede clearly changes shade when you stroke it the wrong way and stays in that shade until you stroke it back. Imitation usually changes shade less noticeably and returns immediately.
Look at the back and the seams. Genuine suede is leather on the inside – smoother, with a different structure than the outside. Imitation is the same woven fabric on both sides, and in the seam, you can see a textile weave instead of a leather cut edge.
Feel the temperature. Leather is cool to the touch and quickly becomes body-warm. Synthetic fabric feels neutral right away.
Read the label. If it says leather, hide, or suede, it is genuine. If it says polyester, polyurethane, suede-look, or faux suede, it is imitation. That is the only test that will never fool you.
Genuine or imitation – what should you choose?
Genuine suede is softer, ages more beautifully, and molds to the body over time. It is also more expensive, more sensitive to water and salt, and must usually be dry-cleaned.
Imitation suede withstands more moisture, can often be washed at home, costs a fraction of the price, and has become remarkably good in recent years – from a couple of meters away, you can rarely tell the difference. The disadvantage is that the nap flattens out faster where the jacket is worn, typically at the cuffs and from a shoulder bag.
My rule of thumb: if the jacket is to be worn a few times a week in a Swedish autumn, imitation is the more practical choice. If it is to be a jacket you keep for ten years and take care of, genuine suede is worth the money.
Models and fit
The short, straight suede jacket in a denim jacket style is the most versatile – it ends at the hip bone and works over both dresses and jeans. The trucker and safari models have pockets and provide more structure over the shoulders. The long suede coat is the most elegant option and requires the least from the rest of the outfit.
The fit should be slightly roomy. Suede and suede-look have very little stretch, and a jacket that fits tightly across the shoulders when you try it on will feel cramped with a sweater underneath. Feel free to compare with the rest of the season's outerwear in our guide on women's autumn jackets.
Care, rain, and stains
The first thing you should know: suede and rain go less well together than most think, but not as badly as rumor suggests. We have written an entire guide about it – does suede withstand rain? – and the short version is that light drizzle is fine, while soaked suede needs to dry slowly at room temperature, never on a radiator.
Waterproof a new suede jacket before first use and repeat a few times per season. Brush up the nap with a suede brush when it has flattened. Never wipe a stain with a wet cloth – let it dry and then brush. Salt and water marks are removed with a suede eraser.
For imitation, simpler rules apply: many withstand a gentle machine wash at 30 degrees, but read the label. Let air dry.
How to style the suede jacket
Suede is a warm material in color, not just in feel, so it takes care of cold autumn days visually as well. Simplest: jacket in camel or cognac over a white t-shirt, straight jeans, and boots. That is the combination that makes a suede jacket look more expensive than it is.
Avoid combining suede with another dominant material in the same outfit – suede and patent leather, or suede and shiny quilting, compete. A knitted sweater underneath is perfect, however, because the two textures complement each other. More inspiration in women's autumn outfits.
| Occasion | Model to choose | Keep in mind |
| Everyday and city | Short straight suede jacket | Roomy enough for a sweater underneath |
| Work | Long suede coat | Muted color, clean silhouette |
| Autumn walk | Trucker jacket with lining | Waterproof before the season |
| Rainy weather | Imitation suede | Withstands moisture significantly better |
| Dinner out | Suede jacket over a dress | Short model, not long |
Our current favorites
Three jackets in suede and suede-look for autumn:
- Sofia | Women's Suede Jacket with Hood and Teddy Lining – suede-look with teddy lining, the warmest of the three.
- Elegant Women's Suede Winter Coat with Insulated Lining – long beige coat for the colder weeks.
- Elegant Women's Suede-Style Jacket with High Collar – high collar and clean silhouette, works with both jeans and dresses.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a suede jacket is genuine?
Read the label – leather, hide, or suede means genuine; polyester, polyurethane, or faux suede means imitation. Also stroke against the nap: genuine suede changes shade clearly and stays that way.
Does suede withstand rain?
Light drizzle is fine, especially if the jacket is waterproofed. Soaked suede should dry slowly at room temperature. More in our guide on suede and rain.
Can you wash a suede jacket at home?
Genuine suede: no, take it to the dry cleaner. Imitation suede: often yes, gently at 30 degrees – but always read the label first.
How do I get the nap back?
Brush with a suede brush in one direction when the jacket is completely dry. Flattened parts at the cuffs may need a few rounds.
Which color is most versatile?
Camel, cognac, and beige are the most versatile and the ones that look most expensive. Black suede is trickier because the nap is less visible.
Is imitation suede warmer or colder?
About the same without lining. It is the lining that determines warmth, not the surface material – a lined imitation beats an unlined genuine suede every time.
Summary
The difference between genuine suede and imitation suede lies in the nap, the seams, and the label. Genuine suede is softer and lasts longer but requires care; imitation withstands the Swedish autumn better and costs a fraction of the price. Choose based on how often the jacket will be used, buy it slightly roomy, waterproof it before the season – and you will have a jacket that carries you from September to November.
Ready to find yours? Explore our women's jackets.
Looking for something else? See all our 165 guides in a list.
