suede gloves: why suede is back this winter, and how to wear it

suede is the leather that makes everything look softer. on a glove it turns a sharp coat gentle, deepens a colour, and gives a print a velvety depth that smooth leather can’t. it’s also having a moment across the whole wardrobe this year.

are suede gloves in style?

yes, as part of a much bigger suede moment. elle india called the suede trench coat fashion’s defining trend of 2026, pointing to double-breasted suede coats at miu miu, floor-length suede in tobacco and chocolate at saint laurent, fluid suede trenches at khaite and the row, and burberry’s suede take on the trench, and credits miu miu and coach with bringing napped suede back in autumn 2024¹. max mara’s autumn/winter 2026 collection put texture high on the agenda, with coats in plush alpaca, double-face cashmere and mohair alongside tone-on-tone suede three-pieces and lapel-less suede jackets², and suede was part of the boho revival, in isabel marant’s studded suede bags and slouchy boots³.

search interest agrees: according to google trends, uk search interest in suede gloves was about a fifth higher last winter than the winter before⁴, and us search interest rose by a similar amount⁵.

what is suede?

suede is leather made from the underside of the skin, brushed into a short, soft nap, usually from lamb, though goat, calf and deer are used too⁶. the name comes from the french gants de suède, gloves from sweden⁶, so gloves are where the word began. suede is absorbent, and its nap collects dust and dirt⁶, which is why it needs a little care.

are suede gloves warm?

a suede glove is as warm as it is well made and well fitted; warmth depends far more on construction and a close fit than on whether the surface is brushed or smooth. what suede does offer is a softer, more tactile feel, and a matt depth of colour that looks warm against winter wool.

can suede gloves get wet?

they can survive it, but they don’t enjoy it. suede is absorbent, and water can mark it⁶, so it’s best kept for dry, cold days. a suede protector spray before the first wear helps it shrug off light rain and marks. if your gloves do get wet, blot them without rubbing, let them dry naturally at room temperature, away from radiators, and brush the nap back up once they’re dry. don’t wash them: hestra says suede gloves should not be washed at all⁷.

suede vs leather gloves: which should you choose?

if you want one pair for everything, smooth leather is the more practical choice. if you already own black leather gloves, suede makes an interesting second pair. our nappa vs suede vs calf hair piece compares all three.

how do you wear suede gloves?

• with tweed and corduroy, where the textures sit naturally together.
• with a camel coat, in brown or plum suede, for warmth.
• with sharp tailoring, where suede softens the edges.
• with knitwear in the same tone, for a texture-on-texture look.
• with a print: suede gives a printed pattern a velvety depth, as on our python styles.

which colours work best in suede?

deep ones. suede holds colour richly, so chocolate, plum, burgundy, forest green and black all look their best in it. our suede styles are the 003 checkerboard gloves, black suede with a cream checkerboard across the back of the hand and fingers, and two python prints, the 005 plum python gloves in plum and the 006 brown python gloves in brown with a tan leather binding at the wrist. plum rose fastest on the autumn/winter 2026 runways, jointly with copper⁸, as our colourful gloves piece explains.

can you wear suede gloves in the evening?

yes, and they look wonderful with velvet, silk and wool crêpe, where the matt suede and the sheen of the fabric play off each other. a deep colour, plum, chocolate or black, looks elegant at night, and a print on suede, such as python, is a quiet way to add interest to a plain black outfit.

how do you look after suede gloves?

• brush regularly with a soft suede brush, always in one direction.
• use a suede eraser on small marks, then brush the nap back up.
• protect them with a suede spray before the first wear.
• blot, never rub, if they get wet, and let them dry naturally.
• store them flat in a breathable bag, away from sunlight and damp.

the nap flattens a little where you grip, which is normal, and a quick brush lifts it again. more in how to clean leather gloves and on our materials & care page.