From boho chic to country heritage: here’s how to style this season’s favourite material.

The heritage trend has seen the rise of suede come back alongside wax jackets, cord, and tweed. Thankfully, this trend is no stranger to harsh conditions.

Even the Duchess of Edinburgh sported the trend with a forest green skirt and boots on a muddy visit to Berkshire earlier this year – planting suede firmly in the royal ranks.

This season’s biggest fashion trend isn’t the most practical when it comes to the precarious British weather.

Suede has become the go-to this winter for a blazer, boots and bags – hardly the garments that are the most concealed from the elements – but that needn’t matter.

We hear from leading fashion experts the best way to protect and style suede this autumn/winter.

First priority on the list when it comes to the suede trend is protecting your expensive pieces from the rain.

“The most effective way to protect suede is to apply a waterproof spray, which coats the fabric and limits the damage that can be done by wet weather,” says Suit Direct’s lifestyle buyer Rebecca Samuels.

“Spray any suede clothes or accessories before wearing the item for the first time and reapply it periodically, especially in damp conditions.”

If your suede pieces get wet, Samuels recommends to “blot the moisture with a soft cloth, and let them air dry naturally avoiding direct heat.” The key is to never rub your suede as this damages the fibres.

Suede comfortably lends itself to its mother decade – the Seventies. If you’re unsure how to style the trend, look to old photo albums for inspiration. Some denim, leather and aviator sunglasses will make any suede accessory pop – even an umbrella can’t dampen this look.

“I love a suede jacket, but this is where you can really let your personal style DNA come through!” says British fashion designer and podcast host Amanda Wakeley OBE.

“A rich chocolate brown suede jacket is a great addition to your wardrobe. It’s versatile, timeless and adds so much depth to autumn outfits, it’s softer than black and looks great with denim.

“Suede does have a very Seventies retro vibe about it so if jackets aren’t your thing, you might opt for a pair of flared suede pants or a slouchy hobo bag,” suggests Wakeley. “Think Chloe girl and you can’t go wrong.”