When it comes to choosing the right material for men’s shoes, it goes without saying that leather and suede are among the best and most popular options. No other material is like them as both of them are natural, durable and visually appealing, but at the same time quite different. Even though both of them are made from animal skin and can provide you with style and comfort, you should know that they have different characteristics, so understanding them will help you make a better choice, weather and occasion-wise.
Why Suede?
Stylish, versatile and appealing are the three words that can best describe suede shoes for men. They may not be as durable as leather shoes when exposed to moisture and water, however, their look and appearance cannot be compared to the one of leather shoes.
Since they’re made from the animals’ inner skin layer, suede shoes for men are soft, comfortable and more textured. Even though it’s said that suede is more susceptible to water, the ones made from quality inner skin and the ones tanned with care are more water-resistant.
With the huge range of products these days, nowadays it is also possible to make them more water-resistant with the help of a special water-resistant spray designed for suede shoes. However, keep in mind not to rely entirely on it to avoid accidents. Given the fact that they are more susceptible to stains and water damage, they are more suitable to be worn indoors and when the weather’s dry.
Characteristics
As already mentioned, suede is known for its soft yet luxurious appearance and feel. It has a napped surface that is extremely soft to the touch while evoking a sense of style and glamour. Shoes made from this leather are considered extremely flexible and appealing. Even though a bit lighter than leather, these shoes are still worth every penny.
Being matte and a bit textured and fluffy seeks more care than usual. That being said you should keep in mind that cleaning them regularly is essential to remove trapped dirt and dust. Ideally, you should brush them gently with a soft bristle brush after each use to remove dust, and every now and then clean them with a special cleaning solution designed only for suede leather.
Why Leather?
Just like suede, leather is made from animal skin, the exterior level of the animal’s skin which makes it thicker and tougher. Unlike men’s suede shoes, leather shoes have a smoother surface and can be a bit glossy. They are more expensive than suede shoes and need to be moisturised and cleaned regularly to stay in perfect shape.
Characteristics
Some of the most popular types of leather are aniline and semi-aniline where the former displays a more natural texture with grain while the latter is smoother. Compared to suede, leather is thicker and hence a more durable type of leather which allows for being worn during wet weather conditions.
But just like suede, leather is also susceptible to stains and fading, especially when worn under snowy conditions. That’s because, under these conditions, salt is used for melting the snow and when in touch with it, the leather can obtain white stains that are hard to remove.
Knowing this can help you understand that both of these types of leather have their pros and cons, so owning at least one pair from each will help you stay prepared all the time. Regardless of the weather conditions, occasions or outfits you wear, you can easily pair them according to your preferences and weather occasions.
How to Style Them?
Styling Suede
These shoes come in all shapes, styles, sizes and colours and the ones you choose depend on the occasion and outfit. Even though it’s rare to see suede being used as formal shoes, you can still find a pair and try to match it with a formal outfit. The most common use of this material is for making boots, especially lace-up boots which can be matched with both casual and business casual outfits.
If you want to add a bit of casualness to an otherwise formal outfit, you can always pair it with suede sneakers in the needed colour. Wearing Oxford shoes in suede on such occasions is also an option they can make your outfit less formal and more versatile and eye-catching.
While boat shoes can be mainly paired with chinos, sneakers, lace-up and Chelsea boots in suede can be perfectly paired with everything from chinos and trousers to jeans.
Styling Leather
The choice of leather shoes is huge, ranging from sneakers, moccasins, and boots to dress shoes. Leather is the most versatile type of material used for shoes, the only thing you should know when styling them is to be careful when matching them.
For instance, dressy and classy shoes should be paired with more elegant and formal outfits while sneakers with more casual outfits. In fact, sneakers are the most versatile men’s shoes, especially the more minimal and plain ones as they can be paired with everything from chinos and pants to jeans and trousers.
