Taylor Swift Wore A Leather Miniskirt With Fall Vibes - But Don't Copy Her Look Just Yet
Ever since Taylor Swift stepped into her Travis Kelce era, her style has changed, and it's had more hits than misses. But in a Taylor Nation video posted on Instagram on September 20, the freshly engaged star popped up in a black leather miniskirt and red tee, and while she looked every bit the glam showgirl, don't be too quick to hit save on the outfit inspo.
Although leather and fall usually go hand in hand because the season practically begs for warmer fabrics, the tide is turning this year. According to fashion trend forecasts, suede is gearing up to outshine leather in 2025. People often view leather and suede as distant cousins when, in reality, they're siblings. Leather is the outer part of the animal's hide, while suede is the inner part. But don't worry — you can get faux versions of both if you're vegan or trying to live more sustainably.
From a style perspective, suede offers a couple of things leather doesn't. Leather is the perfect choice for a bit of a rebellious, sharp, and urban look, while suede is quite the opposite. It's soft, matte, and velvety, and it gives understated luxury vibes. It's also less worn than leather, which is another big reason it's a hit for fall 2025. Fashion does repeat, but ever so often, overly common fabrics fall out of style and underused ones become popular.
Here's how to style suede skirts for fall 2025
The best thing about suede is that it can technically replace leather in your typical outfits. However, we say "technically" because other things will have to change with it. Like we mentioned before, suede is more "old money" and "luxury" vibes, so the rest of your outfit has to match up, or you could look disconnected.
Let's take Taylor Swift's 'fit, for example. If you wanted to replace her leather skirt with a suede one, like the Kate Kasin Mini Suede High Waisted Pencil Skirt because pencil skirts are particularly hot for fall 2025, you'd need to pick another top. Think a sharp white button-up, a cashmere sweater, or a tucked-in turtleneck. You could also go for a wrap-style suede miniskirt like the Rooscier Women's Suede Mini Skirt or the Floerns Women's High Waist Faux Suede Double Zipper Mini Skirt if the pencil skirt doesn't speak to you.
If miniskirts aren't your thing, try suede in knee-length, midi, or maxi skirts. Knee-length suede skirts match long-sleeve tops perfectly, knee-high boots are the right shoes to pair with your midi skirt outfits, and maxi skirts and pointed-toe heels or calf boots will capture the fall vibe elegantly. If you're unsure how to style an outfit around suede versus leather, remember that suede works with softer vibes, while leather is edgier and shinier.
Don't limit your suede tastes to skirts
Skirts aren't the only way to incorporate suede into your fall wardrobe. Suede ballet flats are perfect with jeans and skirts, and suede jackets are very '90s in the best way possible. Just remember to match the rest of your outfit to the suede vibe. For example, if you're in the market for suede shoes, a simple round or pointed-toe pair like HEAWISH's Women's Flats or Ataiwee's Women's Wide Flat Shoes are excellent options. However, if you're wearing black trousers, square-toe ballet flats are better shoes for fall 2025 than loafers.
Jacket-wise, suede is a really good fabric because you can get jackets with elbow patches if you're going for a charming '90s preppy look, a longer coat for a fall vibe outfit, or even a shorter jacket. You can even add some edge to your look with rolled-up sleeves and the right accessories.
But before you dance into the sunset with your latest suede outfits, remember that suede is not like leather; it doesn't need water to get clean. In fact, water can damage your suede. Many of the best ways to keep your suede boots clean throughout fall and winter also work for skirts and jackets, so be sure to get a suede cleaning brush, cornstarch for oil stains, and white vinegar for lighter-colored suede. Then, you'll be set for the months to come.
How we selected these suede product recommendations
To select the best suede pieces for your fall wardrobe, we scoured the internet for the top-rated skirts and shoes. We selected them based on reviews, look, style, and quality. We also made sure to pick suede pieces that capture the fall vibe perfectly, meaning they needed to have deep tones that matched the season's sweetly spooky color palette.