suede september

vintage & new buys

Suede has me in a chokehold.

Everywhere I go, everywhere I look (most of the time it’s TikTok and Instagram), I see suede.

For me, it all started this past March, when I saw the beautiful Laura Harrier share her YSL haul on TikTok (@lauraharrier_):

@lauraharrier_my phone kept falling don’t come for me for my millenial edits

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Specifically this gorgeous bag:

And then I saw the YSL muse herself style this purse in the days leading up to the Met Gala:

roses_are_rosie

A post shared by @roses_are_rosie

Those wide double straps, clean lines, and the sophisticated hardware sold me.

But at a retail price of $3,150, I have yet to take the plunge to buy it.

It is now mid-September, and I find myself on the side of TikTok where fall beauty hauls, what’s in my bag videos, and perfume toks are on my FYP, swipe after swipe.

Among those are suede hauls. Suede boots, suede loafers, suede coats, and of course, suede bags.

And I’m loving every minute of it.

There’s something about this particular fabric that invades our noses and permeates our thoughts.

My earliest memories of suede are of this one sectional we had growing up; this was the 90s, and one realized (often too late) how sensitive this material is, especially when there’s kids and teens around.

Btw I still have my suede Vida bag from Banana Republic that went viral a little under two years ago.

In anticipation of crisp fall and cooler days, I have been on the lookout for suede pieces, not just coats and jackets. Especially tools to keep this particular material clean, like this one I found on Amazon:

As someone whose style is a balance of feminine and masculine, with an oversized but straight silhouette, I was fortunate enough to find solid suede pieces that I know will be great for the long term. Suede is a high maintenance fabric, and it is reflected in the cost in certain brand names. My finds below are a mix of new and vintage, and though I will mention the brand names, I do want to make it clear that if you already have something similar you love, there is no need to go out and buy another.

1. car coat

The Tibi suede carcoat is made from 100% lambskin and my most expensive purchase for fall. I bought mine in size XXS and it is still quite oversized. Even with cuffed sleeves, it looks effortless and easy for on-the-go styling for when you are in a rush.

2. hobo bag

The Coach Brookyn bag comes in a variety of colors and sizes. It was hard to choose, but ultimately the suede in size 39 was THE bag for me this fall. The inner lining is genuine leather and the stitching is impeccable, reminiscent of Coach’s storied history and high quality.

I love all the Coach charms especially the big red apple. Stuart Vevers’ passion for the brand clearly shows in his runway shows, combining playfulness within an urban environment. It’s what makes the brand timeless and fun

3. fringe jacket

I was in the market for a fringe jacket, but didn’t want to pay the full retail price. Wilder Los Angeles is a vintage store owned by Susan, whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know. She has so many vintage pieces, t-shirts so threadbare you can barely feel it on, leather bomber jackets from the 70s and wool trousers that stand the test of time. During the sweltering heat wave early this month, I didn’t mind at all trying on this 70s fringe jacket in calf suede.

And here are some honorable mentions:

4. loafers

I am a true 35 shoe size when it comes to Jamie Haller’s loafers. This Chukka loafer is buttery, lightweight, and so low key. They’re my very first pair from the brand. I rarely buy shoes online before trying them on, but this pair fit like a glove. Truly a “unicorn.”