A leather jacket is always cool. But it can also feel a little heavy, a little too stiff and serious. If you want the badass vibes but with a little more ease, then you need to pull on a suede jacket. They're lighter, breezier and elegantly refined while remaining inherently relaxed. That's why so many A-list guys wear them as a stand-in for the standard blazer when walking the red carpet or making an appearance on a talk show. They help you look put-together and stylish without feeling too self-important.

And, with spring in the air, you'll soon find that your winter coats are getting a little too bulky for the warmer weather, but that your summer jackets are still a little bit too light. These suede saviors are exactly what you need. The only real question is which style suits your taste (and budget). To help you out, we've rounded up the best of the best from brands both big and small, in silhouettes that range from classic bombers and trucker jackets to supple shirt jackets. Most are genuine leather, but there are some “vegan” suede options that are surprisingly convincing, too.