Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

The Suggestion: Suede Shoes in Cold Weather

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“Warm it up Kris…”  “I’m about to.”

– Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly & Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith

A lot of guys think of white bucks, seersucker, and summer when they picture suede shoes.  That doesn’t have to be the case.  Getting dressed for fall and winter is just as much about changing the the texture of your clothes to match the season as it is about changing the colors to darker more subtle tones.

Smooth and light things usually work best in spring & summer.  Fall and winter = rougher and heavy.  And that applies to sweaters, sportcoats, even beer and facial hair.  More texture makes something look warmer.  Moving that theory to your shoes means suede can work in fall, but just keep it to rich browns and other dark colors.  Like any of these:
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The Cheap Chukka:  Bass Suede Chukka – $69.95 ($80.00)
Also available in black.

Real cheap.  Could get cheaper if you hold out for one of the many DSW codes that float around.  The Code SHIPR will get you free shipping as long as you sign up for their email list.

 

The Summer Buck’s Evil Twin:  J&M Brennan – $108 w/ SECRET20 ($135)
Plenty comfortable too.

Plain for sure, but the contrast laces are a bonus.  Plus unless they’ve changed something recently, they’re awfully comfortable.  Available in the deep charcoal pictured, a dark brown, and a lighter taupe.  If you’re looking for something between taupe and brown, they have some limited sizes at Sierra Trading Posticon for $67.16 with the code ALPUMPKIN1.  That code is also good for 20% off most stuff at STP through 11/2.  ALOCTOBER1 gets you 25% off orders of $125 and up, and 30% off orders of $150 and up.

 

The Safe & Sleek Steal:  J. D. Fisk “Bryant” Cap Toe – $99.90icon ($169)
The pick of this litter.

Rich brown suede, a barely there cap toe, and a shape that’s in that great mid point between “brick” and “spear.”  Made in Mexico and comes equipped with Goodyear Welt construction.  Leather sole.  Ships and returns free thanks to the new Nordstrom shipping policy.  Does look to have some (hopefully minor) burnishing at the toe.

 

The Cheaper than the Cheap Chukka Wingtip – Hawkins McGill Suede – $49.99 ($78)
Was cheap. Now cheaper.

Full marks to reader Zach for sending in the style tip on these.  They’re the sued version of a very, very well liked and inexpensive wingtip boot via Urban Outfitters.  Personal experience with the tan version has been excellent so far.  Suede on the way for an in-person.  Shipping is free at $50 and above, so, you should strongly consider picking up some $2.00 made in the USA boot laces.  Maybe for these, maybe not.

 

The Longwing: Florsheim Haviland – $111.99 w/ FFWF30 ($170)
Available in wide widths too

Suede colors are brown, grey, and even blue.  The rubber bottom is more appropriate for the weather we all get pelted with this time of year.  These are the drop-top longwing version of the Hawley.  Usually LINK20 will net you 20% off direct through Florsheim, but the FFWF30 code gets 30% off through famous footwear.  Shipping unfortunately, not free on these.  Thanks to BB for the style tip.

 

The Risk:  Topman “Milan” Suede Saddle Shoes – $100.00
Won't blend in.

Not for everyone.  Not everyone can pull these off.  And Topman shoes, as good as they look, might not last the longest.  But chances are you wouldn’t be wearing these every day either.

For some non-suede rugged fall laceup options, try this list over here.  Your pick for a favorite from these, or, any other options you’ve seen are more than welcome in the comments.

Comments

  1. Awesome, had to be a mac daddy and cop those dirt cheap boots. hope they dont break in two weeks

  2. Love the J&M Brennan’s, but at least when I tried, they’re not eligible for the 30% off. I’ll have to keep an eye out for them.

  3. Really like the J&M Brennan’s. Contrast laces and overall color looks great. Too bad I already blew the fall/winter shoe budget.

  4. Perhaps I’m doing something wrong, but it looks like the Haviland isn’t valid for 30% off.

  5. I like the suede boots, anybody have them or know how sizing runs? they don’t have my usual 8.5…

  6. anybody have those suede boots? I’m wondering about sizing, I usually wear 8.5 which isn’t available…

  7. True, but SECRET20 brings them down to $108 w/ free shipping, about $15 more than the 30% off promo. 

  8. I have an older pair of the urban outfitter boots in leather. They were called ‘Ritano’ back then, and fit true to size. UO seems pretty good about sizing on their house brand stuff.

  9. Good choices definitely for fall and a winter without snow. Up here in the MidWest, I wouldn’t dare think of wearing suede once it snows. Any suggestions for good looking winter boots/shoes that could be worn in snow? By good looking, I’m talking about no Bean boots…

  11. Damn.  Sorry ’bout that.  Some confusion on where the code would work.  Like YackoYak said, 20% off isn’t half bad with SECRET20.  Fixed above.  Apologies.

  13. Aren’t these 1 or 2 month shoes?  I would suspect that the combination of snow and slush (not to mention the salt) would absolutely destroy these if they got wet in winter.  You’d have to navigate your way around like you were trying to steal a Chinese mask in Scotland.

  14. I guess that depends where you live. Joe references to these being a Fall shoe. Personally I consider them a “anytime it’s not raining or snowing” shoe.

  18. For all those that can hit up a Burlington Coat Factory, I’m still seeing dark brown suede bucks from Bass for $30.

  19. I got a decent pair of suede boots from Target for $40.  They needed insoles to make it feel like you weren’t walking on concrete, but otherwise I have liked them.

  20. Maybe it’s because we got 6 inches of nasty, slushy snow last night, but I just can’t get behind suede for fall/winter. I’m all for wearing my grey suede shoes when it’s dry out, but suede and wet just don’t mix. Overall I prefer leather overall for its versatility.

    In terms of suede and leather shoes, I have been looking closely at the Clarks desert boot in beeswax leather. Seems like the best of both worlds for a nice casual boot. Of course, I already own a pair of casual boots so I’m not exactly in a hurry to buy them (famous last words….).

  21. Correct.  These are not appropriate in Bismark during a blizzard.  But then again, neither are all leather dress shoes.  I think we all have shoes we wear in winter that don’t necessarily see heavy work outside if it’s wet/freezing/freshly salted by the trucks.  No?

  23. I got those suede boots http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22222467&navAction=jump&navCount= a couple days ago.  They look very nice and come with matching brown shoe laces and those contrast colored laces.  The quality is sub par but for the price they are what they are a “fashion boot.”  I would put this up with those nordstrom 1901 Carl boot http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/1901-carl-wingtip-boot/3177678?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=0  they look similar but the nordstrom boots are slightly better quality and I mean slightly.  For the price you cannot beat them.  Great for a season or two.  They look better than the 1901’s at half the price.

  24. Just received the J. D. Fisk Bryants in the mail today. Overall great shoes. Does have a leather sole as noted above which is my first pair of shoes to have them. They are quite slick and I’m thinking (hoping that with time they will get a bit more traction when the leather scuffs up a bit? There is quite a bit more “burnishing” than shown in the picture of the shoes. Its also on the heel and a bit on the sides near the laces as well. Have to return because they were a 1/2 size too big but Nordstroms has free shipping for exchanges both ways so no biggie.