Beautiful Ones: Nine ways to wear suede

"For that coveted French insouciance, the suede mini-skirts at Sézane and Boden give Jane Birken vibes when paired with ballet pumps and a slightly unbuttoned button-down cardigan."

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024 - 15:06

Annmarie O'Connor - @aocdotme

Although fashion’s current crush with bows and frills lends itself to the whimsy of spring, the earthy elegance of suede is a hot contender.

Combining unstudied proportions with a softly textured nap, its iterations run the gamut from freewheeling folkster to coquettish Parisian.

This season, the mood is laidback and louche with a nod to effortless dressing at its core.

High-street brands like Massimo Dutti and Zara embrace an ‘opposites attract’ ethos, pairing suede tunics with billowy linen trousers and upgrading summer office wear with suede midi skirts and trousers in relaxed proportions.

Scandi favourite, Arket, on the other hand, takes a more streamlined approach with a go-anywhere suede collarless shirt—ideal for the Irish climate.

Rixo’s latest collection gives a nod to Western chic with suede jackets that boast saddle stitching, embroidery and fringe detail.

These make unexpected companions for the cult London label’s signature silk floral dresses, especially with a pair of strappy sandals from their new footwear line.

For that coveted French insouciance, the suede mini-skirts at Sézane and Boden give Jane Birken vibes when paired with ballet pumps and a slightly unbuttoned button-down cardigan.

A bit of a trend tourist? Bohemian staples like suede clogs and an unstructured hobo bag are closet keepers. Wear with wide-leg flare jeans and a broderie anglaise blouse. Add a silk head scarf and vintage sunglasses if you’re in your Bridget Bardot era.

I’m in the market for a suede patchwork midi skirt — vintage, ideally. You can take the girl out of the '70s…

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