Women's Suede Loafers

Suede is the softest thing in the shop and the one that asks the most of you. Three quarters of this rack is real suede, the rest is synthetic suede, which looks close and behaves better in bad weather.

See also: Suede Loafers, Women's Loafers, Women's Tassel Loafers, Gray Loafers, Camel Loafers, Brown Loafers

Real suede or synthetic suede

Both are here, and the difference only shows up over time.

1. Real suede
   Deeper color, a nap that changes direction under your hand, and it gets better looking as it softens. Water leaves a mark on it, and the mark tends to stay.
   See also: Suede Loafers

2. Synthetic suede
   Flatter to the eye, more even in color, and far less bothered by a wet sidewalk. About one pair in five here.

Keeping a suede pair looking new

A brush, used dry, does nine tenths of the work. Brush in one direction after each wear and the nap stays up instead of flattening into shiny patches at the toe.

If a pair gets wet, let it dry in open air away from any heat, then brush it. Never on a radiator, which hardens what is underneath.

And keep a second pair for rainy days. That is the only real answer, and it costs less than trying to rescue the suede one.

3 mistakes to avoid when buying suede loafers

1. Choosing suede for a daily commute in winter
   Salt and slush are harder on suede than anything else. Keep it for dry days and let a faux leather pair take the beating.
   See also: Winter Loafers

2. Buying a pale suede first
   Light gray and beige suede are the prettiest and the least forgiving. A deep brown, navy or black takes two winters without showing it.
   See also: Brown Loafers, Navy Blue Loafers

3. Cleaning it with water
   Water is the problem, not the solution. Dry brush first, and only then consider anything else.