Move Over Brown Suede Jackets, This Is The Brighter Alternative Everyone Is Wearing Instead

If you're wondering what pretty much everyone will be wearing come autumn, then let me summarise it for you in three words: brown suede jackets. How do I know this? Well, we've still got a few weeks before the official start of autumn, and already all I'm seeing on my TikTok, Instagram and commute into work is a brown suede jacket. Even though the temperatures have barely dipped below the twenties, it seems as if the pumpkin-spiced lovers have come out in force this year, donning their suede jackets early and already selling out multiple Zara suede styles before the rest of us even begin to fathom the end of summer. My point here is to say that if you're contemplating buying any other jacket this autumn/winter, perhaps put a hold on that for suede, and no, you don't have to box yourself into just brown suede. In fact, I'm leaning towards a brighter alternative I've seen crop up on my favourite influencers lately, and it might come as a surprise.

The colour in question is butter yellow, that deliciously creamy, slightly sunny hue, that's a cheerful departure from the season's muted palette. A shade dished up by Givenchy's Sarah Burton, butter yellow has had a huge renaissance this year, adorning everything from dresses and skirts to shoes and bags (and even Timothee Chalamet). But, if you expected us to move onto burgundy, khaki and browns now that it's almost autumn, and leave the Mini Egg pastel in the spring months, the style set definitely has other plans.

So mix the two trends together, butter yellow and suede, and what do you get? A butter yellow suede jacket, of course. Massimo Dutti is leading the charge with its Long Suede Leather Coat, which is just as delectable as you'd think it would be. Made from 100% sheepskin leather, the longline coat is finished with seam detailing and two patch pockets that are big enough for your phone (a pet peeve of mine). The coat's eye-catching colour means you can keep the rest of your outfit blissfully simple, so style with a pair of black wide-leg trousers, a t-shirt and flip flops, or, when it really cools down, wear over a chunky roll neck and jeans.

Shop: Massimo Dutti's Butter Yellow Suede Coat

It's not just Massimo Dutti that's jumped on the yellow suede jacket trend, either. Zara has delivered its own take, the 100% Suede Leather Jacket, that's more of a golden-hued overshirt than a full winter layer. Designed with a sharp lapel collar and long sleeves, it's perfect for those in-between weather days when a heavy coat feels too much, but a cardigan won't cut it. The buttery suede finish adds polish, while the oversized fit keeps things cool – throw it over your tailoring for an easy office outfit, or drape it over your shoulders with a slip dress in the evening.

Shop: Zara's Butter Yellow Suede Jacket

If you, like me, agree that the only way to tackle the impending dark nights and freezing mornings is to grab dopamine dressing by the horns, investing in a yellow suede jacket is going to be essential. Like all great fashion moments, the trend feels delightfully cyclical (suede always makes a comeback for autumn/winter), but this year it's been reimagined in butter yellow, a shade that's been dominating wardrobes all year long. If you ask me, it's the perfect meeting point of two trends: a timeless texture we reach for every September, and the soft, mood-boosting pastel that refuses to go away.

Shop: The Best Yellow Suede Jackets

Main image credit: Instagram/@monikh

Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.