An observation I’ve made on tPF over the years is that suede is a polarizing material in the handbag community. There are those who are loyal to suede, and swear it’s not as hard to maintain as it seems. Then there are those who refuse to purchase suede items, as they are far too delicate and will get ruined easily. Over the years, I have fallen somewhere in the middle of these two stances. But, in the spirit of the New Year, and despite my reservations, I have decided I am up for the challenge of being a suede handbag owner. I have faced my fear and added a suede bag to my collection! I have admired this material for far too long to never experience it for myself, so I asked Santa at the eleventh hour for a Chloé Faye and he delivered.
Suede is a material that I have always lusted for, but I have been hesitant to incorporate it into my own wardrobe due to its delicate nature. I’ve always thought that suede looks super luxe, elevated and possesses a cool-girl vibe. Despite loving the look of it, it has always terrified me a bit—ok, it’s terrified me a lot! Although it’s incredibly beautiful, it is susceptible to staining, liquid marks, and color transfer, which are all concerns of mine since I’m always on the go and don’t baby my bags too much. I’ve seen a few horror stories of bags getting ruined by an unexpected torrential rainstorm or horrible accidents with sticky food. I got a suede bag knowing I would have to baby it more than any of my other bags, which is okay with me since it’s just so stunning.
My Faye is my first suede bag, and even though it’s not all suede (just the flap is suede), it is still a new material for me. Admittedly I have been a little nervous to bring my bag out and about, but I have to say I have fallen hard and fast for suede. It’s so soft! I can seriously see myself adding a few all suede bags to my collection! Even though I’m still worried about ruining my bag, I really do love the look and have been facing my fears and using it anyway. Do you have any tips on keeping a suede bag clean that I should know or am I overthinking this?
Check out some of my favorite suede bags below:
Chloé Faye Bag
Rag & Bone Atlas Suede Shoulder Bag
Proenza Schouler Extra Large Light Tote Bag
Gucci Ophidia Small Shoulder Bag
The Row Bindle Knot Hobo
Rebecca Minkoff Stella Satchel Bag
Mansur Gavriel Drawstring Hobo Bag
After reading a few of the comments here I started to wonder whether people actually knew what suede is?
It is basically the fleshy underside of a leather hide. Or said differently, it’s the “left over” after the top side (the top grain part) got split (cut) off.
To get that velvety look it gets sanded later.
So, the reason why suede is so delicate is simple: It is nothing but the remaining part of a leather hide once the top layer has been removed.
Which is also the reason why it won’t develop a nice patina with age but instead just gets dirty. There’s nothing left that could develop a patina.
Thank you for this information, it was very helpful! Last year I purchased a higher end leather bag with a suede flap and back. It is already showing wear where the suede rubbed off the back, which is disappointing. For that reason I won’t purchase another bag in suede.
I would and I have bought more affordable bags in suede and nubuck, like my Rebecca Minkoff Regan satchel in green nubuck. Supposedly, nubuck and suede are pretty much identical in look and feel, but nubuck is a little hardier because of the way the hides are processed. I’ve used my nubuck satchel a decent amount and while there is some color transfer from my jeans, it looks pretty good in terms of stains and wearing. That’s probably at least in part due to my spraying it with suede/nubuck protectant though, which I highly recommend after spot testing it – the water beads and just rolls off as long as you attend to the droplets quickly.
I personally would not pay, say, more than $750 for a suede bag, as it would stress me out too much! But that would definitely not be the case if I had more money, because suede/nubuck is such a divine material not only for purses but jackets too!
I love suede! It’s such a beautiful, elegant, and understated material. It does require a bit of extra care but it’s well worth it!
I love the way suede looks too, but I am horrible to my bags. What I do do preserve them is spray them with the same rain guard stain guard that I use on Uggs. It really helps. I have sprayed everything from my Yves Salomon coat to my shoes to my bags. Enjoy your bag!
I love suede – I’ve been wanting a grey suede bag for the longest time but I’m too worried I’ll ruin the bag in a second so I’ve kinda made the decision to admire the bags from afar.
I have one sample from collection of this style at half price: https://www.tika.moda/product-page/frazil
Try it
I bought a small Chloé Hudson in Motty Grey Suede, luckily with 70% off! It’s a lovely material and I am so happy that I found such a great deal, as I was hesitant about buying that (very boho/hippie) model for full price! I wasn’t that put off by the material, strangely, I should maybe have been, as I am quite clumsy and spill a lot, and often forget to “think” before I put down my bags, etc! But as it was quite cheap (oh well, but for what I got, it was a amazing deal) I tell myself that I can be a little bit more carefree with it than what I would have been if I had payed full price! 🙂
The inside of one of my Alexander McQueen bags is suede and I’ve tried my best to keep it in good condition. Always brushing it after I use it, never storing anything inside it etc. however where the turn lock is on the inside flap, it’s darkened from my hands opening and closing it. So I will never again go for a light suede interior or exterior. Same goes for my velvet Lanvin bag. I’ve had it since November 2016 and the balding on the corners is so unattractive to me that I haven’t used it in almost a year.
I bought my first suede bag last year as I always thought exactly as you said but finally pulled a trigger. I used it a couple of times and then decided it’s not working for me, I love how leather ages but suede will just get dirty and basta. So I put it in a box and wanted to sell it. After the first two deals didn’t come through for technical reasons I decided it’s destiny and I should keep it! So I’m giving it a second chance, we will see how it ends…
I’ve always said that I wouldn’t buy a suede handbag. However, I took the plunge and bought a hot pink PS1 in suede. I love that bag, and I have to stop myself from stroking it. So soft. With that being said, I probably won’t buy another one. I’m too scared to ruin it.
I absolutely adore suede but I live in frozen winter now when everything is so clean and pristine that I dare only now use my suede and nubuck beauties. i rotate them often and they are high maintenance, except for YSL nubuck grey besace which is a durable bag just cleaned with pencil eraser, and Miu Miu bow made of brushed suede in beautiful dark brown which has polished suede parts including handles, and raw suede parts. That one is a winner. the older it gets the same it looks. I now know which suede I dare buy, and none of these above I would buy. I see potential problems with every one of them.
Suede is my all time favorite lux leather! I have 1 black bag all in suede, & used it daily for almost a year! It still looks decent. I have several shoes & boots in suede, & I have a chocolate brown suit, all in suede! All are still looking great – not perfect, though. But my secret is using suede protector – generously & re-spraying every year. At first, when you spray your suede item, it will darken substantially, & you will think you ruined it. But let it dry down, & it returns back to it’s original lush look & feel. I just really love suede’s lux look & feel, & am willing to be okay with it not looking perfect. If that bothers you though, you better steer clear, then.
I just bought a pair of ruby velvet boots, essentially for the holiday’s, & I sprayed those with suede protector, too. Time will tell, however, how those will wear. But I’m okay with that! ?
The Gucci Ophidia suede bag is so luxurious and beautiful.