Designer Suede Edit

This is the heart of the edit: knee-high and ankle boots, Chelsea pulls, heeled courts and flat loafers in proper soft suede. Expect Maje and Sandro for the slouchy western and pointed-toe boots around £250 to £350, with Burberry and Alexander McQueen reaching higher on a structured heel. Buy a clean tan or chocolate boot first, since it carries autumn and winter outfits on its own. Suede shows water marks fast, so reserve pale grey and stone for drier days and treat everything before its first wear.

Suede bags are where the material really sings, because the nap catches light in a way smooth calf never does. Look to Mulberry for a structured top-handle, Sandro and Maje for soft hobos and slouchy totes, and Miu Miu for a small evening shape with proper presence. A tan or burgundy suede shoulder bag is the one to buy first. Suede marks under rain and rubs shiny at the corners, so we would keep a precious one for evenings and dry days rather than the daily commute.

Menswear suede is quieter but genuinely useful: desert boots, Chelsea boots, loafers and clean low trainers. Acne Studios and Sandro handle the modern minimal end, while Amiri and Alexander McQueen push a bolder trainer. A sand or chocolate desert boot is the easy first buy, smart enough for trousers and relaxed enough for denim. Go for a darker tone if these will see real pavement, since pale suede scuffs and creases at the toe quickly. A good brush and protector spray are non-negotiable here.

The catch-all for everything else worth a look: suede jackets and shackets, mini bags, mules, sandals and the odd accessory. This is where you find Maje and Sandro fringing, a Barbour-leaning country piece and softer seasonal shapes. Treat these as the second or third suede thing you buy, after a core boot and bag are sorted. A suede jacket is a real commitment, so buy it in a colour you will actually reach for (tan, rust or olive) and have it professionally cleaned rather than risking it at home.