https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:24:24 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987340 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 05:50:51 +0000 Caro in Oz 987340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suede isn't the same as nubuck. Suede is produced by&nbsp;sanding the inner layer of the skin and nubuck is produced by sanding&nbsp;the exterior skin. The outside layer of a skin is tougher </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987336 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 05:39:19 +0000 Deborah 987336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Late to the party and I may need a suede intervention!&nbsp; Adelfa, I own 2 x black tall suede boots, 1 x tall taupe suede boots, 1 x red suede booties and 1 x cobalt suede booties and I love and wear them through winter.&nbsp;(for the record I have quite a bit of other footwear in suede also)&nbsp; I would suggest that lifestyle may play a part in how they wear.&nbsp; I have an office job where I walk on carpet all day,&nbsp;and I drive to work.&nbsp; So perhaps that minimises wear?&nbsp; I choose not to wear them on wet days although I have been caught out one or twice.&nbsp; Once of my tall pairs are&nbsp;now about 6 years old and are just showing signs of wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987084 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 00:03:18 +0000 Adelfa 987084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DJ, I never knew that! In fact the name "nubuck" always sounded vaguely synthetic to me!</p> <p>Janet and Diana, thanks for sticking with this thread and giving me the benefit of your experience! And thanks to all who cautioned me about suede--I really appreciate it!</p> <p>I wonder if the Aquatalias were nubuck? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987081 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:54:31 +0000 DeclawedJaguar 987081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-nubuck.htm">nubuck is leather that is roughed up</a>, whereas suede is leather inside out, if that makes sense. Nubuck is more durable than suede, but not as durable as smooth leather. Waterproofing spray works great on nubuck too! </p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987077 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:51:47 +0000 Diana 987077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I think nubuck is not brushed, but more just like untreated leather.&nbsp; In my experience it becomes shinier/flatter as it gets distressed but doesn't get ratty the way suede can. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987071 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:45:18 +0000 Janet 987071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nubuck is sturdier. It looks a little more RATE/distressed than suede but wears much better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987068 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:41:54 +0000 Adelfa 987068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana and Janet, I think you might be right! &nbsp;I poked around online and on some sites the same shoe (I think)&nbsp;seems to be called nubuck! This explains why the Zappos site puzzlingly called them "Black" when the tan ones had "suede" in the color name--puzzling because clearly there was some texture going on there!</p> <p>Is nubuck better? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987063 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:29:25 +0000 Janet 987063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Diana -- it's hard to tell from photos, but #1 does look like the texture of my boots. #2 looks softer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987061 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:28:11 +0000 Adelfa 987061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, ladies, this is helpful and it's starting to look like I need to keep looking. I do want these to be workhorses. It's not always possible to tell for sure if it will rain and I know from experience that this can mean a fragile pair of shoes gets worn not very often. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987060 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:26:37 +0000 Suz 987060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aquatalias are weather proof, which may be&nbsp;why Deb had good luck with those.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree that all suede is not created equal. I try not to wear it in wet weather unless is it specifically designed for that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987055 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:17:08 +0000 Diana 987055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet is right, all suede is not created equal.&nbsp; There is a type that is meant to look almost a little distressed (like Janet says, it starts out looking more like nubuck or uncoated regular leather) so a little more distressing just adds to the look.&nbsp; I have found that the very luxurious looking brushed suede, the type that looks velvety and very black, is the type that tends to look bad when it gets beat up.&nbsp; </p> <p>It's hard to explain, but the first type seems to distress in a way where the suede smoothes out and gets a little shiny almost, whereas the second type seems to distress by getting almost ruggy or pilly.&nbsp; </p> <p>ETA: It's hard to tell for sure from the photos, but I'd guess #1 is more like the first type and #2 is the second type.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987048 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 23:09:14 +0000 Janet 987048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, I have found that all suede is not created equal. I have a pair of tall black suede boots that are a bit more like nubuck. I've had them for years and they have stood up to everything. But then, there are other suede items that seem much more delicate. I'm not sure whether this is a result of the way the hide is processed, but it's just an observation I thought I'd throw out there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987042 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:59:27 +0000 always trying 987042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am in the same situation as you, looking for leather. I have a pair of suede pumps I just took out for the first time since last December--rainy season here..Just remembering that most of the time I wear them it has been in rain.&nbsp; They need replacing as they look a little beat up.&nbsp; Also have suede booties that are about 2/3 years old..So I am looking for leather ones to replace both, although I will keep the suede booties, just have to get leather&nbsp; ones for the rainy season.&nbsp; As like you the styles I am wanting are either only suede, or not my size.&nbsp; HOWEVER, it is early in the season so hopefully for both of us there will be more we like in leather out soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987040 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:56:10 +0000 deb 987040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my black suede Aquatalias I got last year. I wore them in all kinds of weather and when they got mud spattered, it brushed right off. I do not know if this is because of the brand or the suede. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987030 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:37:27 +0000 DonnaF 987030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I 100% agree with Caro.&nbsp; Suede is fine if you watch the weather forecast and don't wear it if rain is threatened or if it is actually raining.&nbsp; A little rain won't hurt of course, but suede won't withstand the abuse that leather can.&nbsp; It can be more beautiful, however. . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987022 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:28:49 +0000 Caro in Oz 987022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my experience &amp; all else being equal,&nbsp;leather lasts longer than suede. It also looks better for longer. I love the feel of suede but as a second pair not as the throw on, wear with anything, in any weather pair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987020 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:24:57 +0000 Ornella 987020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I generally take the approach of not tweaking some self-imposed rules, because they are a result of the strategy developed to make my life easier.</p> <p>Generally = approx 95%.</p> <p>The other 5% are left to allow myself&nbsp;some flexibility if something is too good to miss or is a good candidate to push me out of my comfort zone. Never say never, right?</p> <p>Would these be the main booties? If not, then with your dry climate in mind&nbsp;they are worth trying. The second pair looks particularly beautiful to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987018 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:24:32 +0000 Makrame 987018@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know the answer to this&nbsp;but I have been in the same situation before. &nbsp;I have asked for advice here and ended up staying away from suede.&nbsp; These are gorgeous, though, so I feel your pain! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-suede-will-i-be-sorry#post-987015 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 22:17:49 +0000 Adelfa 987015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi fabbers, I really could use your help! I am shopping for a black bootie and three of my favorite styles only come in black suede. I have always thought it was a bad idea to buy suede for the fall/winter, though I know waterproofing sprays help.</p> <p>It's usually not that rainy here. &nbsp;The average annual rainfall is 12" but it can range up to 25".</p> <p>I am going to want my bootie to last several seasons.</p> <p>What do you think? &nbsp;Should I stick to my rule of no suede for the winter? Or could it work if I brush and waterproof faithfully?</p> <p>Thank you so much! </p>