Suede shoes for spring/summer? - YouLookFab Forum

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Suede shoes for spring/summer?

MsMary

Veteran

I am on the hunt for a pair of red pumps, and am finding them surprisingly hard to find. Several of the ones I like only come in red suede. (Like the one below, for example!) I have gotten over my "patent leather is only for summer" hangup, but I feel like I still have a "suede is only for winter" neurosis.

What say you all? Is suede only for winter or would red suede shoes work for spring and summer?

Louise Et Cie 'Idina' Ankle Strap Pump

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Carolyn E.

JAileen

Veteran

I've never heard that suede was for winter only. I wonder what the reasoning was originally. Those are cute shoes. I'd wear them in spring or summer.

Anonymous

I wear suede in light colors through the spring and summer. Sometimes it's the color that makes something look more wintry.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I feel suede is more for winter as well. I will wear it in summer, but it feels off to me... I wish I'd bought my Okala's in leather not suede for this reason.

No help!

Sal

Veteran

I have always thought of suede as a transitional or winter item, which is kind of silly as it is not a wet winter item at all..

There have been lots of suede options here over summer this year.

Anonymous

Looking forward to seeing what the consensus is on this. I used to think of suede as for winter. But I am seeing so many cute, colorful somewhat bare styles like your find, that I am changing my mind on this.
And FWIW lots of these are brand new styles, so clearly the designers intend them for spring and/or summer.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I sort of feel it's not a summer thing either, but the suede I have I can't wear on really wet winter days due to risk of damage. I have one pair tan ankle booties which end up being Spring/Autumn. I do have one pair of summer walking sandals with part wide suede strap and part wide leather strap in contrasting colours. Now those have been worn in summer a heap, as sandals. I think in my head suede "feels" warmer so equals not-summer, if that makes any sense. The red heels you show are closed-toe and look more Spring/Autumn to me. But unless your summer is drastically hot then you could wear in summer too, don't see why not really. Interesting how we get these fashion neuroses... You certainly seem to have one in North America about "preppy", which as Kiwigal/Sally and I have said before, is not a thing in this country and nothing we have to worry about!

anchie

Veteran

Interesting, I never really considered suede as strictly winter shoes, it is more how the shoes feel. For example I have 3 pairs of suede shoes, two of those feel like summer while third pair feels strictly winter. Hope it is obvious which pair is which

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Um, nope Anchie! Only the red ones look summer to me... The pumps look like dressy winter and the wedges like spring/Autumn ?

anchie

Veteran

LOL wedges are my summer shoes, but who knows, maybe I am breaking some unwritten suede law
Will follow this with interest.

MsMary

Veteran

Anchie, I was going to guess the red ones for summer, too! And they are exactly the kind of thing I am looking for!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

It's funny, when first reading this, I thought, "yes, suede is for winter". Then I remembered my two pairs of summer espadrilles that are suede. And they look very summery.

I also have this idea that patent leather is 'winter'. But I have nude patent pumps I wear year-round, and a pair of Stuart Weitzman Nunaked sandals in patent leather. I only wear those in the summer. Go figure.

So... I think the style of the shoe, and the color are determining factors.

To answer your question, Ms. Mary, the shoes you show read 'winter' to me, because I can't picture them with summer skirts or shorts. But that doesn't actually mean these shoes wouldn't rock a summer look. It just means that I lack imagination

Marilyn

Veteran

I've been seeing a lot of shoes in suede. In terms of it being seasonal, I think it depends on the item. For example a suede blazer feels more fall/winter to me. I think suede shoes are just fine for spring/summer if the style works with your summer clothes.

Jennib12

I've noticed the same thing! I was looking for a pair of pale oxfords - either a light grey or blush. I found tons of them, but all suede! I love the look of them, but I feel like suede is really impractical for spring as it's so rainy. I always spray my shoes with protector, but even then I feel like suede would be ruined in a single heavy downpour.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GET THE RED SUEDE PUMPS. 100% SoCal Summer appropriate.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Suede was big here last summer. I thought the same thing as you at first but then I succumbed. No regrets

Anonymous

I had that same bug in my head - until recently. I've got a pair of red or pale blue suede pumps or sandals on my spring list because the more i think about it, the suede makes these colours look richer in a shoe. You know how sometimes coloured leather can look sketchy?

unfrumped

Veteran

I do think some shoes " look" more wintry or summery, but I've left suede out of the equation. Suede is foot- friendly for me and comfortable, stylish shoes are very hard to find. So suede is actually s plus if the style is right.

I would think in terms of outfit creation. These have s strap and are relatively dainty compared to booties and such. So if worn with nude leg/hose and a floral, or crisp navy and white of white crops, or light denim, and so on, why not summery?
Also, I'm getting more silhouette-driven than seasonal. I can't maintain comfort and style that is only good for a couple of months out of 12. I have to wear them while they fit, since my feet change a bit every couple of years, it seems, and while the style appeals and I have " capsules " they work with. Red is a neutral! So to me these will go with certain bottoms / outfit proportions across seasons instead of the footwear being limited to a season. Think summer colors, think olives and gold in fall, and black, yay, what's not to like!
The key thing is fit and comfort. If these are the ones, you will wear them lots.

I got the shoes below in the black snake suede last summer intentionally for summer.

Paul Green 'Henly' Ankle Strap Flat (Women)

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gosh. Well, I wear soft nubuck (like suede) in summer, for sure. I actually think it's more for summer in my climate, LOL!!

Irina

Veteran

I had a pair of light brown suede winter boots. Got salt stains on them. No matter how hard I tried to clean them, they were ruined. Never again. I walk away from suede for winter. I happily wear my red suede sandals in the summer.

Joy

Veteran

Looking for red summer shoes I am seeing lots of suede but had the same question as you have. I'll keep watching this thread.

Bijou

Veteran

I happily wear my red and pink suede shoes in summer because the style is quite neutral, as a ballet flat. I don't wear my red suede boots in summer, because they feel too wintery for me. Because suede gets ruined in the rain, I prefer wearing suede in warm dry conditions than in the wet.

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rachylou

Veteran

Ok, right, Anchie's grey suede pumps are the winter shoes and summer suede is hipster, unless the shoes are suede wedges.

But note that Olivia Palermo can do all these at any time and still always be preppy.

Rachylou speaks.

Gigi

Veteran

Last year, I bought a pair of sandals with a block heel...in suede. So it can't just be for winter. But I used to have that association too. I think that suede is really on trend now, and shoes for all seasons are being made in it.

anchie

Veteran

And what about suede bags? I don't think I will wear one in summer.

Lisa

Veteran

I plan to add a pair of suede ballet flats to my summer capsule wardrobe this year. I like the idea of the softness of suede for the warmer months.

Susie

Veteran

I too always thought of suede as being a 'heavier' fabric so more for fall/winter. But I love it in light or bright shades and / or lighter or more open styles, like you've shown.

Jules

Veteran

The only suede I have is a transitional bootie so I'm no help
Suede and salt do not mix. Unless you were one of the multitudes wearing salt-stained UGGs in Toronto for many years.
The openness of your red pump makes it spring/summer in my book. In winter here, anything that bare would be so impractical it would have to be a dressy evening occasion shoe, and I probably wouldn't choose red suede for that. Again, I am sure multitudes of impractical-shoe people would disagree
I like lisap's point about some colours looking richer in suede! Other colours aren't necessarily richer but might look weird in leather... classic desert shoes, or my olive booties.

Sara L.

Veteran

I just bought red suede sandals so they're definitely a summer shoe. I don't usually think of suede shoes as winter or summer.

Echo

Veteran

Interestingly, in stores that sell exclusively leather, suede has always been considered a summer item. It is lightweight and less warm than leather, and it does not handle weather very well.

So seasonality of suede for me has always depended more on color and construction than material alone. I just bought red suede pumps for summer; they are summery to me because of the fringed ankle ties.

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