Read my first piece for Bristol 24/7 here.
No longer confined to the back racks of dusty charity shops of yore, the butterscotch hues of suede in all its strokable glory have returned to both our haute and high street in a burst of drool-worthy shapes and shades. This season’s infatuation with 1970s nostalgia has seen the return of flares, platform sandals, dreamy denim, bohemian romance, festival chic and more fringing than you can shake a tassel at. Yet if there’s one fabric that has scaled the summit in terms of being the most refreshingly surprising hit, suede is your gal.
In the recent AW15 shows, shades of classic tan and caramel took centre stage, but for spring/summer the approach was more kaleidoscopic, with rich jewel tones and demure pastel neutrals - what could be better to chase away the melancholy winter blues and greys? Lavender purples, olive greens, deep sea blues and merlot reds sashayed down the catwalks, with the textile’s innate softness and structure lending the season an air of sensual sophistication. Derek Lam presented purple suede skirts with overcoat separates and belted dresses, evoking the 70’s vibe even more with patchwork pieces and contrast stitching. At Jason Wu we saw structured, sporty silhouettes in wrap coats and thigh-split dresses. Frida Giannini at Gucci gave us kimono-style tops, button-front A-line skirts and knee-high boots. I could go on with Chloe, Loewe, Tibi, Michael Kors, Valentino... But you get the picture.
While suede might seem like a high maintenance, pricey option, it has truly earned its place as a trend to invest in. It can be worn all year round since becoming a seasonless wonder (much like leather), and we all know it’s true what they say - that higher quality means higher prices. Bruises in the fabric only add to its character, right? Otherwise, go second-hand and have a look on eBay or ASOS Marketplace for guaranteed bargain buys. By the end of the summer you will be no stranger to the suede parade, so why not embrace its ubiquitous revival and the irresistible, tactile luxury of the look.
If you’re still stuck on how to approach this trend, here are some handy hints:
Tint it // After the overexposure of leather in recent years, move away from blacks and greys and inject some colour into your wardrobe with this modern twist on throwback jackets, skirts and crops.
Layer it // Take a shortcut to the fash pack by layering your suede. Here you need to focus more on the tailoring and silhouette - avoid over the top retro connotations by balancing nostalgia with more modern pieces.
Fake it // If you don’t want to go the whole hog and would rather protect your pennies while still partaking in the trend, the brains on the high street have created numerous faux pieces that feel just as great but won’t break the bank.
Green suede skirt - H&M, £79.99
Pink shift dress - Topshop, £60
Blue suede jacket - Mango, £89.99
Two-tone faux suede t-shirt - Zara, £25.99
Burgundy tassel bag - Deena and Ozzy at Urban Outfitters, £52
Platform shoes - Mango, £80
Faux suede cross back top - Rare at Topshop, £29
Suede shorts - Miss Selfridge, £55
