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You can probably hear your grandma saying, "Those crazy youngsters today -- they think they can wear whatever they want, whenever they want to wear it." The truth is, the fashion rules of your grandma's upbringing no longer hold true today and "seasonless dressing" is way more in vogue than matching your outfit to the calendar date. While suede used to be a total fashion faux pas come Memorial Day, nowadays the temperature is more important than the month. So check your style rules at the door and consider a new list of no-nos before you grab your suede jacket.
Rainy Day
Think of suede as a delicate flower, kind of like your just-polished nails when you're ready to leave the salon. The way you handle your car keys with caution, precision and care so as not to smudge or scratch your brand new mani is exactly how you should treat your expensive suede jacket. Besides looking pretty, natch, suede is expensive, easily scuffed and hard to repair. On a wet and rainy day, the last jacket you want to grab is your suede one. Avoid irreparable water damage and rain spots, as well as general wear and tear from the rough winds.
Super Cold
Believe it or not, a frigid, freezing wintery day is actually not one of the best choices for your suede jacket. While suede can definitely make you look hip, cool and well-dressed, it's not usually lined with as many layers of protection as a standard winter down jacket. Like any true fashion trend, suede is known more for its looks than its practicality (the 5-inch stiletto, anyone?). If the thermometer is reading 15 or below and you've got to brace the winds, be smart and bundle up in your warmest, coziest coat and forget about looking trendy in suede. No one is checking you out in weather that cold anyway -- everyone is rushing to get inside.
Super Hot
While it's true that the calendar has been thrown to the wayside and almost anything goes anytime of year, people do still pay attention to the weather. A chilly night in August is the perfect excuse for an attractive suede jacket over your tank top, especially if it's a light summer color like white or tan, but a hot day at the beach is decidedly not. Don't think you're suave by pulling a "fashion-rules-don't-apply-to-me" stance because if it's 90 degrees and you're wearing a jacket, people will think you're crazy -- and rightly so.
With All Suede
Some employees have uniforms, such as policemen who wear all blue or fitness trainers who wear lots of spandex. These outfits are not by choice, but a mere side effect of their jobs. Unless your office somehow requires you to wear all suede, when you wear your suede jacket, you should make sure to pair it with other material. Cotton dress slacks, a pencil skirt, patent leather heels, leather ballet flats and embellished sandals are all stylish options to finish off your suede top. However, suede boots and a suede bag should be avoided at all costs. Unlike cotton, which is a commonly used fabric, suede is so unique that a little goes a long way.
