How to Wear Suede

Suede is the reverse side of leather. The material has a nap finish that is soft and full of texture. This fabric continues to be fashionable. It's also a good choice for affordable and classic pieces for your wardrobe.

Things You'll Need

• Leather spray protectant

Instructions

1. Shop for your new suede wear or dig out your old garments from your closet. Before wearing suede, protect the garment immediately with a leather spray protectant to help repel stains and water.

2. Pair tall, mid-calf to knee-high suede boots with leggings or tights and wear with a short to mid-length skirt or dress for a trendy and sophisticated look. Pair the same boots with slacks for a completely different look.

3. Wear a suede skirt the way you would wear a corduroy, denim or leather skirt. Mix textures and color shades for a hip look or blend textures and colors together for a more classic outfit. Shop for suede skirts with cutouts, scallops or a flared cut.

4. Mix a suede jacket into your wardrobe for both work and play. Wear the jacket with a collared shirt or sweater and khakis for a more formal look, or pair with jeans if you want to go casual. Match your shoes to the jacket or shirt you wear and add a handbag of your choice, varying textures and shades.

5. Look for an extra built-in lining if you need your suede garments to be warmer for the winter months. Suede is the same weight no matter what the season, so you can wear it year-round if you pair it with seasonally appropriate items. Wearing flip-flops with your suede skirt in the summer and boots in the winter is just one way to stretch your wardrobe.

6. Store suede items in cloth or tissue paper in a dark and dry place.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for microsuede or ultrasuede, a fiber version of suede, as an alternative to the animal product. You can find microsuede in upholstery, as a soft stainless fabric covering couches and chairs, as well as in clothing, shoes and accessories.

• Avoid wearing suede in heavy rain. Even if you spray a protectant on your garments, you run the risk of ruining them in a downpour.

• Don't store suede in plastic or in a damp area as this restricts the garment's ability to breathe and may cause mold or mildew to grow.