Suede Skirts Are Going To Be Everywhere This Autumn
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3 months ago
Styling tips for this season's hottest pick
Is it us, or is suede everywhere right now? It seems the style set has spoken – where spring gave rise to the trench and summer took a shine to jelly sandals, this soft leather is taking over autumn. And while we’re seeing plenty of suede handbags, jackets and trousers on the streets of London, it’s the skirts we can’t get enough of.
Whether mini or maxi, sand or dark chocolate, there’s plenty of opportunity to interweave a suede skirt into your autumn capsule wardrobe. Here’s how to do it.
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How To Wear A Suede Skirt This Season
The Tonal Trench
The best way to level up a suede skirt? Build around it with similarly-toned colours and neutrals. The texture of the suede will prevent the outfit from looking flat, but you add more dimension by throwing a new material to the mix. We especially love the outfit below, which teams up a suede skirt with a chocolate trend and a selection of black finishing touches.
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Dark Academia
It’s back-to-school season – and even if your plans don’t revolve around a classroom, you can still tap into the fashion. Dial up the academia vibes with a tailored knit and ballet pumps. For an extra autumnal touch, stick to an earthy, neutral colour palette, and style with gold accessories.
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The Vibrant Maxi
Who said all suede was beige? You can bring a pop of colour to your autumn wardrobe, while still keeping in touch with the season’s hottest textile. And there’s no need to be intimidated; simply build the look around the skirt, starting with neutrals. This will let the colour do its thing and pop.
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The Co-Ord
And, if in doubt, you can always lean into the premade outfit formula with a classy co-ord. The waistcoat/pencil skirt is a multi-occasion hero, and can take you straight from the office to drinks with friends. Simply dress it up (or down) for the event: loafers for work, and slingback heels for fun.
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The Co-Ord 2.0
This dressed down take on the suede skirt co-ord is pushing all the right buttons for us. This style reminds us of the ever-popular denim maxi/jacket combo. Less dressy than the aforementioned co-ord, the 2.0 version can be quietly kitted out with a T-shirt, trainers and sunnies for a more laidback look.
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How To Look After Suede
Use A Protector
One of the first things you should do with any suede garment is treat it with a protector. Apply it before use (and after cleaning) to keep the material looking its best.
Brush Regularly
Suede looking a little tired? Keep a brush handy. Regularly brushing suede between wears can help revive its pile, leaving it looking fresher for longer.
Avoid Water
One of the main rules of suede care is to avoid getting wet where possible. Water damages suede very easily, staining and stiffening the material until it is permanently damaged.
If you do get caught in the rain, however, the best thing you can do is take off the suede garment, shake any excess water and leave it out to air dry away from direct heat.
Treat Stains
Speaking of stains: there are ways to treat them. You can use white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to try and remove tough stains – although dry scuffs will be best treated with talcum powder. As a last resort, you can use soapy water and a nail brush (just don’t dunk your suede items in the water).
Store Properly (& Regularly Freshen)
While you can’t really ‘wash’ suede, you can freshen it up between wears. You can spritz the lining or underside of the garment with a fabric refresher, held six to eight inches away, or give the item a steam.
Where To Shop Suede Skirts
Your first port of call with this trend should be a vintage store. Suede made from natural leather is typically pretty hardy, meaning it should stand the test of time – making it ripe for the picking in your favourite thrift shop. Keep an eye out for genuine suede, and give the material a good look over to check for stains and scuffs before buying. (These can be removed, but might be tricky.)
And if you’re not having much luck in the shops, don’t worry. There are plenty of brands tapping into the trend this season. Our top picks come from Really Wild, Mint Velvet and Sezane, as well as vintage styles from Vestiaire and HEWI. Read on to shop our edit of this season’s best suede skirts:
Featured image: Mint Velvet
