Is a suede jacket totally impractical with a baby/small kids? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is a suede jacket totally impractical with a baby/small kids?

mica

May possibly have a baby in the next year or so....(!). Is a suede jacket totally impractical with a new baby / small children? I'm imagining it could get ruined easily and be hard to clean.

I actually just realized the same company makes a similar jacket in machine-washable faux-suede for girls, and I am small so I could probably fit into that. Maybe I should just let go of this whole idea...?

BLANKNYC Blue Suede Moto Jacket in Deep Blue/Navy

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BLANKNYC Girls' Faux Suede Moto Jacket - Sizes S-XL

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20 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

rabbit

Veteran

That's an awesome jacket. Heh, you could try on the girls one, why not? It's been awhile since I had a suede jacket, but I seem to recall you can treat it with waterproofing, I do that with suede shoes and wear them in damp (though not pouring) weather. Also it's a dark color so that will help disguise small marks.

Also I don't have kids, but there are members here with small kids and leather jackets if I recall correctly, so it might be just a case of care in how and when you wear it.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Children don't ruin clothes by mere proximity. I think you'll be fine. Don't wear it if you're volunteering for tie-dye day at school. Throw a cloth over your shoulder if you're burping an infant. Put it in the closet before you get out the fingerpaints. Maybe wear something else for playing in the park.

Messy things won't be your whole life, though, so if you love it, go for it.

mica

Thanks rabbit and Jenn! Really appreciate your input. It's so hard to envision how life will change. Maybe I will consider it after all -- will try it on at least!

JAileen

Veteran

Dry cleaners can probably get anything out, but it would be more expensive than regular dry cleaning. If you have a suede cloth option, I'd recommend that. I don't think my son was messier than other kids, but he still got stuff on my clothes.

Echo

Veteran

It would certainly be impractical to wear while caring for an infant - you wouldn't want to feed a baby, burp a baby or perhaps even change a baby (depending on the degree of messiness) in it. However, you would likely remove it for those things anyway, or not be wearing it while you did them. Carrying a drooling baby would not be recommended, either, while wearing suede. Ultimately, even with waterproofing, a baby can be very hard on difficult-to-clean items. Worse on items like suede that you sometimes cannot even trust leather specialists to clean competently.

But that most emphatically does not mean I disagree with buying the jacket. Don't put your life on hold for potential pregnancy. I think if the jacket makes your heart sing, then buy it and just be careful about when an how you wear it around baby. Infants grow so quickly anyway, that the danger to the jacket will be over before you know it.

Aquamarine

Veteran

By the time I had the energy to get dressed up again, my babies were no longer babies LOL.

BrieN

Veteran

I remember having to tell my elementary aged kids "I am NOT a napkin" as they loved to give me big messy hugs after meals.

But even as a stay at home mom you need a "grown up" capsule for a party or date night. Luxe fabrics are a great addition.

MsMaven

Veteran

I had a suede jacket when my kids were 2 and 4. Much older than a baby, but even then I only wore it on more formal occasions--not to go to the park. It did cost a small fortune to have it cleaned. I eventually gave it away because it reminded me of something my mother would wear.

mica

Much wisdom shared, thanks everyone! I've decided to try both for now (both are on sale) -- and the faux-suede machine-washable version is much cheaper. So I'm procrastinating on the decision until later, but will keep in mind all of your advice. Who knows, maybe neither will look good on me and I won't have to decide!

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Whatever Echo said. We are thinking of another baby, and every time I buy something I think I won't be able to wear it during pregnancy and for another while afterwards. But I buy it anyway, can't plan my Life around something I don't know if/when will happen.

Sally

Veteran

Its still nice to have something you feel good wearing even if you have kids. There will be nights out when you feel like dressing up. I used to go out with other mothers once a month when my son was a toddler. We all liked to dress up then.

Deb

Veteran

Not necessarily impractical, depending, but it is an expensive item and since our body and weight changes a lot during pregnancy and breast feeding, and some women are never quite the same size postpartum, it may be wise to wait until after your confinement to purchase an expensive suede jacket. The washable faux option may well be a better choice at this time if taking your pregnancy plans in to account.

Anonymous

If you love it, and it won't be a factor in arguments about money, get it. Maybe you'll wear it with babies, maybe not, it'll hardly be the biggest lifestyle adjustment after children!
It's cute and because of the style I'm not sure a little wear and tear will ruin the look anyway?

Anonymous

I second Isabel's wise advice. Life comes with hazards, whether one has wee ones at home or not--I had a juice box flung at me the other day while wearing a white jacket, and felt a secret urge to give the perp a hug; little kid emotions are so unbridled and honest in the years before they learn the repercussions.

I definitely vote for trying the girl's version. (I admit to shopping in the girls' department for certain things.) Sometimes women's bodies change post pregnancy and the items we spent tons of dosh on no longer fit.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Here's a little story for you: Almost 2 yrs. ago we had a YLF meet-up in Boston. When we were in the BCBG store I saw a $$$ white blazer (dry clean only) that I fell in love with, and it fit me perfectly. Perfectly! It was as if Max Azaria himself had me in mind when he designed it. Of course I came up with every reason why I shouldn't buy it - "I won't wear it often enough - not to work, I teach elementary school - kids, markers, playgrounds - blah, blah, blah".... but I couldn't get it out of my mind. The next morning a wonderful YLFer said she would take me back to the store to get it. On the way there, we stopped at another store and I saw a $$ white blazer that looked good on me and was a much more practical and washable white blazer. I was walking around that store thinking I would purchase the more practical blazer, when we ran into another fab YLFer who sized up the situation and said, "That one's nice, but the other is much better. You are settling. You shouldn't settle." She was right!

Long story even longer: I purchased the $$$ BCBG white blazer and never looked back. I love it! I wear it often - and yes, even to work - if I'm working with markers/glue/students on the playground I simply take the blazer off. It's had its share of war wounds but a stain stick and the dry cleaner solve everything.

The moral of the story: Well, I am so glad I was impractical and didn't settle. I will have the BCBG for a long, long, time and even if I only wear it once in a blue moon it will have been worth it. Why? Because I love it and I feel beautiful when I wear it. So...be impractical!

Anonymous

I agree with Karie. Sometimes you have be impractical (for your sanity).

DonnaF

Veteran

Not to be a party pooper, but sometimes blue dye on suede can be unstable. You may want to take white cloth (diaper?) and rub an inconspicuous section of the suede jacket to see if a lot of blue comes off. Otherwise, it's very cute!

Anonymous

I'm laughing at Jenn's statement that children don't ruin clothes by mere proximity. That made my day

unfrumped

Veteran

You got some good advice here!
I think it depends more on your "real" lifestyle even though that may change with kids--meaning, if you are a leather jacket gal, or aspire to be one, and have a reasonable number of target outfits and occasions (movie date with DH, errands on weekends, )--then I think you would go with Karie's advice and get it IF it looks great and just use reasonable caution.
But also I think you are wise to evaluate it as a product and compare value with the faux and see which one fits that bill best.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I'm all about the mix of kids and impractical clothes (hello white flares at the park). You just have to go with what makes your heart sing, and exercise a little caution (and Oxy Clean or dry clean if needed). But life is too short to limit yourself to only the most practical garments!