Contrary to popular opinion, the line "Don't step on my blue suede shoes" was not written by Carl Perkins. Nor was it written by Elvis Presley, in case you were wondering. "Don't step on my blue suede shoes" was a line Johnny Cash heard some airforce boys saying one time. He told Carl Perkins to use it in a song, then probably later regretted not doing it himself. Mystery solved. The point is, if it was good enough for Elvis, it should be good enough for you.
Suede shoes are not only more comfortable than traditional leather shoes, they're a hell of a lot richer too. Let's say you're wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. Well polished black leather shoes on top of that are going to make you look clean and professional, with a hint of the undertaker. Throw some suede in the mix and you're instantly taken to Rat Pack heights of cool. Navy suit? Try brown suede. It'll give you the rarefied air of a gentleman who knows what he's doing. Don't feel like wearing a suit? No problem, suede works just as well with dress pants, chinos, khakis or jeans.
Now I know what you're thinking - suede's impractical, it marks, spill a bit of water on it and it's ruined forever. Old wives' tales, the lot of them. Here's what you do. Spray them with some waterproof sealant and leave it to dry overnight. Wear them around, if they get a bit of dirt or dust on them (even mud), wait till it dries then brush it off with a specialty suede brush. Enough said.
Here at Working Style we exclusively stock handmade suede shoes made by Spanish firm L'Stony. Prices start from $499 NZD.
