A "just-right leather shoe" you'll want to wear in any season. Learning the charm and care of suede shoes

Flexibility that changes an impression

Shiny, polished leather shoes are certainly something to admire, but

sometimes they can feel a bit too formal, a bit distant.

They give the impression of being for some special occasion.

What about a shoe that's a little less dressed up, but still makes your feet look wonderful?

That, I think, is exactly what suede shoes are.

Suede is used not only for lace-up shoes and loafers,

but also for sneaker uppers, and depending on the item

it takes on many different impressions.

That is the greatest charm of suede shoes.

In Japan, suede tends to be strongly associated with autumn and winter shoes, but

overseas it's recognized as a "durable material" worn year-round.

Suede has flexibility and feels good against the foot,

so it's also recommended for those who find stiff, rigid leather shoes uncomfortable.  

Suede is the reverse side of leather

In contrast to smooth leather, which is glossy and has a sleek, polished finish,

suede has a napped, slightly rough texture.

Both are "leather," but the difference lies in this:

Smooth leather: leather tanned on the surface (the grain side) of the hide

Suede: leather with the flesh side (originally the inner side) turned outward and brushed with sandpaper or similar to raise the nap

Suede uses the flesh side (reverse side) of cowhide, so it has a long nap and a strong brushed texture.

There is another type of napped leather called nubuck,

but nubuck is made by napping the grain side (the surface) of goat or sheep leather.

Compared to nubuck, suede itself is thinner and softer,

which is why it's often used for bags and high-end shoes.

Suede shows many different expressions depending on the direction of the nap and how light falls on it,

and this unique sheen is part of its charm.

While retaining the durability of leather, it achieves a high level of fashion appeal quite different from smooth leather—

and this is likely one reason

it's loved regardless of season.  

Brands that make the most of suede

■KLEMAN / France

Even open lace-up shoes, which usually give a dressy impression,

can be worn casually or in semi-formal settings when made of suede.

Pairing them with classic denim, or with a midi-length skirt, both look wonderful.

In summer, rolling up your pants when wearing them keeps the shoe's bulk

from standing out, and showing some bare ankle keeps things from feeling too warm.  

This KLEMAN is one of the brands from CLEON,

a French company founded in 1946,

and it's a work brand that meets military specification standards.

It has a proven track record of having supplied footwear to public institutions

such as the French military, police stations, and fire departments—demanding toughness, function, and practicality as work shoes,

yet without the bulkiness or clunkiness often associated with military style.

Instead, you can feel a distinctly French elegance in its clean silhouette.

These shoes are perfectly suited for everyday wear as fashionable footwear,

with a usability that makes you want to reach for them often.  

In contrast to its versatile look that suits many outfits,

KLEMAN is also highly practical thanks to its mil-spec construction—slip-resistant even on rainy days,

with a bonded rubber sole that keeps water out and offers excellent grip and cushioning.

This combination of comfort is another hallmark of KLEMAN.

The rubber sole is water-resistant, and the highly durable leather upper

makes these shoes a reliable choice you can wear without worry even on lightly rainy days.  

■DIEGO BELLINI / Italy

A bit loafer is a loafer featuring a metal ornament shaped like a horse bit

—a piece of equestrian tack—on the top of the foot.

On a suede loafer, this bit adds a dressy touch,

becoming just the right accent.

It works well paired with casual sweatpants to balance the look,

or with a retro-patterned scarf around the neck to tie the whole outfit together,

and in summer, pairing it with shorts is nice too.

While keeping the simple, easy-to-wear comfort of a slip-on loafer,

this design adds a touch of grown-up glamour.  

The DIEGO BELLINI bit loafer

is a wonderful pair with a suede texture so smooth

you'll want to reach out and touch it.

The gentle curve drawn from toe to heel

is proof of the craftsman's careful work.

It comes in two colors: beige and black.

The beige shows off the napped surface beautifully, full of that quintessential "suede look,"

and pairs well with fresh, breezy outfits.

The black creates a beautiful contrast with the gold metal hardware,

giving any outfit a sharper look from the feet up.  

Founded in 1951 in Monte San Giusto, Italy—often called the "sacred land of shoes"—

DIEGO BELLINI

is a factory that has been making student shoes and men's moccasins for over 60 years.

These leather shoes, clearly crafted with great care at first glance, are handmade, and

the maker also has a proven track record of producing shoes for many famous maison brands.

They are characterized by a beautiful, flowing line toward the foot, and

true to Italy's fashion-conscious spirit, a last that makes the foot look beautiful

forms the very basis of the shoemaking.

This results in shoes that are easy to wear, with a soft, enveloping fit,

while still being designed for easy removal. 

■astorflex (Astorflex) / England

Keeping the suede's nap beautifully maintained

Here are the conditions for beautiful suede:

- The nap is well-groomed

- The nap has a lustrous sheen

- There is no fading

Here's how to care for suede shoes so you can keep them that way.

- Use a waterproof spray before you start wearing them

Before wearing new suede shoes for the first time,

we recommend protecting them with a waterproof spray.

A waterproof spray not only repels moisture, but also prevents dirt

from settling into the material, which is why waterproof sprays are especially

effective for suede shoes, which tend to attract dirt easily.

That said, this effect will wear off with use over time,

so please reapply the waterproof spray periodically.

- Brush off dust regularly

This applies especially to shoes: even if you can't see it,

dust collects on them as you wear them. Suede has a napped surface,

and dust and sand can get caught in its uneven texture, causing dirt to settle in

or the color to become dull. So

once you get home, gently brush off the dust with a soft-bristled brush.

*We recommend keeping a separate "dust removal" shoe brush

that has never had shoe cream on it, rather than using a brush that has.

- Use a dedicated brush to keep the nap in good condition

Static electricity and dirt can sometimes cause the nap to become flattened,

but suede is beautiful when its nap is well-groomed and has a lustrous sheen,

and brushing is necessary to maintain this look.

In addition to a regular bristle brush, there is also a care method that uses a metal brush

made specifically for suede to help restore and increase the nap.

- Use a crepe rubber brush for dirt

Compared to smooth leather made from the grain side, suede and nubuck

seem to attract dirt more easily and show it more noticeably.

For spot dirt, gently rub it away using a dedicated crepe rubber block or

crepe rubber brush, the way you would erase something with an eraser.

- Use a suede color-restoring spray for faded areas

With darker colors especially, fading toward a whitish tone becomes quite noticeable.

For suede and nubuck, you can add color back in

using a dedicated color-restoring spray.

Being able to revive the color over long-term use is certainly appealing. 

▼KLEMAN (Kleman) Brand Page

▼DIEGO BELLINI (Diego Bellini) Brand Page

▼astorflex (Astorflex) Brand Page

▼Shoes Category List