It would be the early part of the 20th century before suede became a fashion trend. Technical advances in the tanning process resulted in a more lavish and delicate suede being manufactured. By the early 1920s, wearing suede was a status symbol. Pictured: a 1923 leather and suede waterproof riding habit.

Getty Images

5 / 30 Fotos

Designs on suede -

The era's leading fashion houses, including Paquin, Givenchy, and Hermès, began incorporating suede into their designs. Pictured is a woman wearing a patchwork suede and fur coat.

Getty Images

6 / 30 Fotos

Dolores Del Rio (1905-1983) -

Suede quickly found favor with celebrities. Dolores Del Rio, the Mexican film actress, is seen here modeling a suede double-brimmed derby hat with feather trim.

Getty Images

7 / 30 Fotos

Royal approval -

Suede's application extended to accessories, and even royalty was wooed by the luxuriously pliable material. Pictured is a pair of step-in high heeled shoes made of elasticized mushroom-beige suede worn by Princess Elizabeth in 1947, a few years before she was crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

Getty Images

8 / 30 Fotos

Randolph Scott (1898–1987) -

Suede has featured widely in Western movies. The durable and pliable material makes for an ideal vest, and a Hollywood gunslinger's wardrobe wasn't complete without a close-fitting sleeveless waistcoat. Pictured in the 1950s is movie star Randolph Scott replete in cowboy garb.

Getty Images

9 / 30 Fotos

'Blue Suede Shoes' -

The 1950s heralded the arrival of rock 'n' roll music. One song helped propel the popularity of suede tenfold—'Blue Suede Shoes.' Written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955, the track quickly became a rock 'n' roll standard and was covered by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Eddie Cochran, among others.

Getty Images

10 / 30 Fotos

Signature suede -

Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition of 'Blue Suede Shoes' is regarded as the definitive cover. Presley performed the song three times on national television that year, and as a publicity stunt autographed a pair of his own blue suede shoes (pictured).

Getty Images

11 / 30 Fotos

Elvis Presley (1935–1977) -

Elvis Presley fell in love with suede, and wore it on several occasions. This photograph shows the singer's red suede jacket, worn for the 1957 'Jailhouse Rock' 45 cover and other promotional photos.

Getty Images

12 / 30 Fotos

John Lennon (1940–1980) -

The 1960s solidified suede's reputation as a trendy high-end fashion material, and it was another iconic and influential musician that further boosted its appeal. John Lennon famously wore a suede jacket on the cover of the Beatles' 1965 album 'Rubber Soul.' Ringo Starr is also wearing similar apparel.

Getty Images

13 / 30 Fotos

Eric Clapton -

Suede was to be seen in. Here, British rock trio Cream are photographed shopping in London in 1966. Bass player Jack Bruce wears a stetson, drummer Ginger Baker is still browsing, while guitarist and vocalist Eric Clapton poses in his brand new fringed suede jacket.

Getty Images

14 / 30 Fotos

Twiggy -

The Swinging Sixties was fueled by fashion. Here, British model Twiggy is photographed disembarking from a TWA aircraft in a red suede and velvet outfit, typical of the period style.

Getty Images

15 / 30 Fotos

Veruschka -

Not to be outdone, German fashion model and actress Veruschka strikes a pose wearing a suede vest and shorts accented by leopard print.

Getty Images

16 / 30 Fotos

James Brown (1933–2006) -

Fringed Western-style suede jackets were still being widely worn throughout the 1970s and '80s by a host of celebrities. James Brown chose to wear a suede vest for this moody 1982 portrait.

Getty Images

17 / 30 Fotos

Robert De Niro -

Robert De Niro, photographed around the time of 'The Godfather Part II' (1974), cuts a fine figure in a suede jacket, replete with wide 1970's lapels.

Getty Images

18 / 30 Fotos

Steven Tyler -

Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler looking dapper in wide-brimmed trilby and threadbare suede jacket for an '80s photo shoot.

Getty Images

19 / 30 Fotos

Lenny Kravitz -

Suede's appeal continues to be a big hit with musicians. Here's Lenny Kravitz rocking fringes and dreadlocks on stage in 1990, suitably at a John Lennon tribute concert.

Getty Images

20 / 30 Fotos

Suede -

English rock band Suede named themselves for the material. They are pictured in their classic line up: drummer Simon Gilbert, lead guitarist Bernard Butler, lead vocalist Brett Anderson, and bassist Mat Osman, in 1994.

Getty Images

21 / 30 Fotos

David Duchovny -

David Duchovny, especially known for 'The X-Files' and 'Californication,' is pictured in a suede jacket.

Getty Images

22 / 30 Fotos

Brad Pitt -

Brad Pitt and his then-wife Jennifer Aniston attending the world premiere of 'Spy Game' (2001). In 1991, Pitt appeared in a movie called 'Johnny Suede.'

Getty Images

23 / 30 Fotos

Anthony Mackie -

Anthony Mackie dressed appropriately in suede for the 2005 Fab 40 Party for Suede magazine in New York City.

Getty Images

24 / 30 Fotos

Taylor Swift -

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift seen in London in 2012 dressed for a chilly January day with a fashionable suede trimmed handbag slung over her shoulder.

Getty Images

25 / 30 Fotos

Kylie Jenner -

A blue-haired Kylie Jenner is spotted in Los Angeles in 2015 wearing a suede two-piece pantsuit.

Getty Images

26 / 30 Fotos

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge -

When Prince William visited Truro Cathedral in Cornwall in September 2016, the second in the line of succession to the British throne was noted for his snappy attire, and especially the pair of immaculate suede shoes he was wearing.

Getty Images

27 / 30 Fotos

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge -

Similarly, Kate Middleton is always carefully scrutinized for what she's wearing, and guess what? She's also a fan of suede! Kate is seen here wearing a pair of Chloé leather-trimmed suede ankle boots during a 2021 visit to Durham, a city in the northeast of England.

BrunoPress

28 / 30 Fotos

Ray Liotta -

Arriving at Los Angeles in 2018 and wired for sound, Ray Liotta cuts a smart and casual figure in his suede jacket.

Getty Images

29 / 30 Fotos

Dakota Johnson -

Dakota Johnson is seen arriving at her New York City hotel in 2019 clutching a super-soft suede handbag.

Sources: (LoveToKnow) (Did You Know Fashion) (Denver Art Museum)

Getty Images

30 / 30 Fotos

Stars persuaded by suede

Suede's place in fashion history

31/05/21 | StarsInsider

FASHION Clothing

The story of suede dates back 50,000 years, but it was only in the 20th century that the material became a fashion trend. Suede jackets, shoes, and boots enjoyed global popularity in the 1960s, and fashion pieces made out of suede today are still appreciated for their soft, lavish texture and high-quality finish. Regarded as luxurious apparel, suede clothing has long found favor with celebrities, and this sub-type of leather has earned a unique place in the annuals of fashion history.

Click through and take a look at the stars persuaded by suede.