Shoe related: how do you feel about suede?

[Susie]

When I shoe shop online, I often see shoes in gorgeous jewel tone colors, but they're often suede. That always gives me pause. It feels so impractical, especially in the northeast.

Do you wear suede shoes? Are they as impractical as I'm imagining, or no?

[casmgn]

I have a pair of yellow suede shoes that I adore (and wear in the northeast). They aren't impractical - I just don't wear them when it's raining or there is snow on the ground.

[ijack]

I have a pair of turquoise suede and I LOVE them. Can you scotch guard them or something?

[Deleted]

Yes, I have a pair of grey suede shoes that I wear all the time. Mostly in the fall/winter. I sprayed them when I first got them and haven't had any problems. I'm in the NE/Mid-Atlantic.

[Susie]

Jul 6, 2012 9:19:35 GMT -5 casmgn said:

They aren't impractical - I just don't wear them when it's raining or there is snow on the ground.

That's why they seemed impractical to me. There's snow on the ground most of the winter here, and it rains a fair portion of the spring. Summer would be fine, but most of the shoes I've seen don't scream "summer."

So far I've mostly opted for patent leather for my colorful shoes, although I don't have tons.

[casmgn]

Jul 6, 2012 9:30:31 GMT -5 Susie said:

Jul 6, 2012 9:19:35 GMT -5 casmgn said:

They aren't impractical - I just don't wear them when it's raining or there is snow on the ground.

That's why they seemed impractical to me. There's snow on the ground most of the winter here, and it rains a fair portion of the spring. Summer would be fine, but most of the shoes I've seen don't scream "summer."

So far I've mostly opted for patent leather for my colorful shoes, although I don't have tons.

Don't you live in NJ? There was barely any snow last winter.

[dexteroni]

I have a few pairs of suede shoes and I live in harsh-winter territory. When I was working I would just carry them and put them on once I got to work. Now that I don't work, I just can't wear them anytime I want to - I'm not going to change my shoes when I get inside Target, lol. So I wear them when it's not going to rain or snow, there isn't a ton of slush or melting snow around, etc. I also have a pair of charcoal gray wool ballet flats that I adore, but come with the same weather restrictions.

[Susie]

Jul 6, 2012 9:32:00 GMT -5 casmgn said:

Jul 6, 2012 9:30:31 GMT -5 Susie said:

That's why they seemed impractical to me. There's snow on the ground most of the winter here, and it rains a fair portion of the spring. Summer would be fine, but most of the shoes I've seen don't scream "summer."

So far I've mostly opted for patent leather for my colorful shoes, although I don't have tons.

Don't you live in NJ? There was barely any snow last winter.

Nope. I grew up there, but haven't lived there in > 10 years.

[lys]

IMO suede is for winter months. In inclimate weather, I carry good shoes and wear rainboots or my grubby walking shoes and then change into them when I arrive at my destination.

[ESF]

I don't live in the Northeast, but I don't really love suede shoes because I don't feel like they hold up as well. I've still got two pairs that I bought years ago and wear infrequently. They still look OK so I think a lot of my feeling that suede looks like shit quickly is in my head. But I still feel like there are better, more durable materials for shoes.

[jaylea]

I live in Maine.

I love suede, and have a couple of pairs of suede shoes. I just treat them so they're waterproof and don't wear them outdoors in the winter (salt).

[cjeanette]

If there is snow on the ground I am wearing boots outside and changing them when I get inside so suede still works.

Now if you have a lot of rain I could see that being an issue.

[Deleted]

I have pairs in tan, teal and purple that I do wear. Weather hasn't general been a problem with them.

[elfinia7]

I have a pair of navy blue ones and live in MA. Weather hasn't been an issue for me either. Inclimate weather usually has me wearing rainboots or snow boots anyway that I'll change out of when I get to work regardless of the shoe material.

[thumper55]

I don't buy suede. It attracts dirt and is hard to clean.

lots of other options in non suede

[mnvegas]

I have about a dozen pair or suede shoes/boots. I love the richness of the colors on suede. I have lived in MA/RI for most of my life and have no issue wearing suede, haven't ruined a pair yet. If weather is crappy out, I wear shoes appropriate for the weather and changed when I get to my location. Not that big of deal. I also find suede shoes very comfortable to wear.

[Myrrhine]

I have some blue suede shoes that I love. I do baby them a little and only wear them when it is not raining or anything. In general, I prefer plain leather for my shoes.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2012 9:19:35 GMT -5 casmgn said:

I have a pair of yellow suede shoes that I adore (and wear in the northeast). They aren't impractical - I just don't wear them when it's raining or there is snow on the ground.

This! They cant be worn all the time, but I love suede done right. Suede boots, to die for - i have ones with a wedge heel that are fabuloussss with skinny jeans.

Post a pic of the ones you like!

[WOT?*]

I have several pairs of suede - ballet flats in a berry color, riding boots in saddle brown, heels in black. The heels are probably more than a decade old and still in excellent shape and the flats and boots are several years old as well with not a mark on them. I don't slog through puddles or rain but other than spraying a protectant on the boots I haven't taken special care of them.