With autumn approaching, consumers seeking suede jackets are increasing rapidly. As the intense heat subsides, interest in representative autumn materials has risen early, prompting the fashion industry to bolster its fall-winter (FW) outerwear LINE-up by highlighting seasonal materials such as leather, suede, shearling, and tweed.
According to 29CM, a platform operated by Musinsa, trade volume for suede outerwear over the past two weeks (the 7th–18) increased by more than 124% compared to the same period last year. During the same period, search volume for "suede jackets" rose by over 140% from the previous week. Analysts suggest that as temperatures cool ahead of full autumn, suede is gaining attention as a transitional outerwear option.
This year, suede outerwear is expanding beyond classic jackets into diverse silhouettes. Products featuring distinctive designs such as KARA laces, Western styles, and high necks are being launched one after another. Luevre introduced a suede jacket with a layered design that mimics wearing a KARA top with a tie and vest, while Overduflare offered a Western-style suede jacket enhanced with cutting details.
In fact, consumer spending is shifting rapidly toward autumn fashion even in offline LINE-ups. Fashion sales at Lotte, Hyundai, and Shinsegae department stores from the 1st to the 17th of this month increased by 25%, 17.6%, and 16.1% respectively compared to the same period last year. Sales have risen not only for transitional clothing such as cardigans, shirts, and windbreakers but also for lightweight down padding that has become wearable starting this month, indicating that consumers are seeking FW products earlier than before.
As consumer interest grows, the fashion industry is expanding its FW outerwear LINE-up. LF will continue the "Light Formal" trend that began in summer through the fall-winter season. Light Formal is a style that maintains the neatness of formal wear while reinterpreting materials and silhouettes for comfort. In autumn, it emphasizes the texture of materials such as leather, suede, shearling, and tweed, and adds deep colors like brown, camel, and burgundy.
Isabel Marant, operated by LF in Korea, expanded its outerwear buying volume for the 26FW season by 188% compared to last year, focusing on shearling parkas and mustangs. Vince also increased its jacket offerings from eight items last year to 15 this year, diversifying materials to include leather, suede, shearling, and faux fur. Vanessa Bruno Women and Dux Women are also strengthening their outerwear product lines through relaxed tailoring and material mixing.
This autumn's outerwear is evolving not just to enhance warmth but to express individuality through materials and silhouettes while remaining practical for daily wear. A fashion industry executive stated, "This year, consumers are seeking autumn products earlier, showing early interest in outerwear with distinct seasonal textures and diverse silhouettes. Once FW new arrivals fully launch, demand is expected to expand further, centered on high-utility outerwear."
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