How does suede age?
J.L. Rocha Collections
How does suede age?
Men’s suede jackets
In celebration of spring and the spirit of Artistic Nomads, we have been highlighting our suede goods for the new season. While many members of our community have experience with fine materials, for the newly welcomed we want to offer our knowledge to allow your suede to age and develop beautifully over time.
This blog post will cover how your suede will age, and what care instructions are key to follow.
Luxury Suede Jackets
Origins, Care Guides, and Aging
a brief history of suede:
what is suede made out of?
Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of animal skin that has a soft surface and napped finish. It is mainly made of sheep/lambskin, but can also be made from other animal skins such as goat, cow, deer, and more. Suede is smoother, thinner, and more malleable than full grain leather or nubuck.
where did suede originate?
While leather has been widely used since our early history, suede originates from Swedish tanning methods, wherein tanners discovered that the grain sides of leather could be use to make suede. Over time, the process of treating and creating suede has been refined to create a luxe material for the refined and knowledgeable.
The word “suede” is derived from the French word “Gants de suede” which translates to “gloves from Sweden” as suede was originally utilized to create gloves, making Swedish gloves be seen as high value imports in European countries. Over time, the term has become a reference for any soft leather material with a napped finish.
how is suede made?
Suede can be made in two methods, method one involves the utilization of the complete skin - processing the underside to expose the weaker hide and treating it for wear. This method creates a tough skin that is not widely used, as suede has become synonymous with a soft touch and luxe malleability.
To achieve this, the leather is split, scraping the upper grain and exposing only the napped underside of the animal hide. Utilizing this method produces a softer and more versatile material which is made even more malleable through vegetable tanning.
how does suede age?
how long does a suede jacket last?
Although softer and more malleable, suede is made utilizing the same traditional process as our leather skins, this means that your suede jacket should last you a lifetime with proper care and storage.
will my suede jacket change color?
All suede is created to develop unique characteristics, due to the porous and absorbent nature of the fibers - skin oils and friction will create a unique patina around the neck and sleeve cuffs as the first signs of ownership. Over time, the rest of your jacket will develop with use: in cases of dark colored suede: blacks, chocolate browns, navy, you’ll find that a natural patina will develop as a lighter color as the nap of the material spreads; for lighter sand colors and earth tones - the same patina will develop as a darker wear.
This is the point where your suede jacket truly becomes a legacy piece, as the unique markings and patinas develop based on your unique usage - a suede jacket will bear the markings of your travels, habits, and environments.
how can I protect my suede?
Your suede jacket will need minimal care if worn and used properly, by following a few basic guidelines, you can ensure your suede will last longer and look better over time:
Never wear your suede in the rain, do not water proof your suede: as this material was not intended to be saturated in water, but it was also made to absorb the use of your environment. If minor amounts of water to manage to get on your suede, simply dab (not wipe) it off with a dry cloth.
Store your leather in proper conditions, with general living conditions of 65°-72° Fahrenheit, and roughly 55% humidity.
Accept your scuffs and scratches as badges of honor: in cases of heavy scuffs and usage marks, use a suede eraser and suede brush. We recommend applying minimal pressure and to exercise these methods sparingly.
For any stain caused by oils, liquids or food products - we recommend you consult a professional for cleaning.
For any additional needs, consult our care guides for our recommendations.
“There are two kinds of suede jackets: those that develop character, and those unworn”
- Jose-Noel Rocha
Closing Notes:
Learn to love your suede, it is as unique and vibrant as you are. We believe in creating uniquely made products with our historic processes to honor both the individuals that wear and create them. In honor of the life given to create the materials, we focus on our vegetable tanning process - to maintain the natural beauty of each skin. We hope that your suede jacket ages with you and develops unique characteristics you can look back on fondly.
Just as each suede jacket is a collectors item, your unique legacy piece should be passed on and cherished by the next generation. We hope that this post has assisted in clearing any questions you may have regarding suede jacket age and care.
Thank You/Gracias