So often folks refer to fall as sweater weather, and rightfully so, what with the dips in temperature and shorter days, who wouldn’t want to wrap up in cozy and comfy knitwear? However, another fabric to consider for this time of year is leather. Whether genuine or faux, leather has just as much of a place in your autumnal wardrobe as wool, tweed, and cashmere. Here’s a rundown of some leather-based outfit ideas to try out over the coming months.
First, throw on a leather jacket with everything! Over a sweater dress, over jeans and a flannel, or with a button-up and trousers, you can top off just about any outfit with a leather jacket. Of course, you may find that not just one leather jacket can fulfill all of your sartorial needs. There’s the traditional biker-jacket route to toughen up a romantic frock. Biker jackets are my personal favorite, but there are also bomber-styles you can pair with a pencil skirt and mock turtleneck for a mod feel or a leather trench with a matching knitwear set.
For a classic leather jacket, I like Topshop’s Faux Leather Biker Jacket available at Nordstrom. It has the tough biker feel with hardware but is also sleek with a fitted silhouette. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated leather option, check out Banana Republic Factory’s Vegan Leather Blazer with a lapel collar, center back seam, and center back vent. Either version of a leather jacket will add some edge to your fall look.
Another great leather topper for this season are shackets. Those hybrid garments that are cut like a shirt but oversized and boxy like outerwear. Shackets, in whatever material, are very on-trend for all things fall. August Sky’s Faux Leather Oversized Button-up Shacket from Target comes in buttery brown and can be worn sporty with a white tee, denim skirt, sneakers, and a ball cap. Or pair it with a turtleneck, wide-leg pants, and ankle boots for a 70’s minimalist vibe.
Leather does not have to be relegated to the top half of the body this fall. Let us not forget the power of a leather skirt. Old Navy has a high-waisted mini skirt in smooth faux leather rendered in both black and espresso. Wear this with a camisole, cardigan, and loafers, or play up the texture and pair it with a chambray button-up and cowboy boots.
Of course, not all leather skirts need to be mini or tight. Anthropologie’s Somerset Maxi Skirt in faux leather is a gathered-waist, tiered skirt that gives off all the fall feels when paired with a plaid shirt, faux-croc belt, and flat, knee-high boots. Ann Taylor’s faux leather pleated midi skirt hits at mid-calf and has the type of twirl effect you expect from crisp pleats. Plus, its silver shade plays against type when you think of a leather skirt. Wear it now with a striped long-sleeve shirt and denim jacket, and as yuletide rolls around, pair this hint-of-sheen skirt with a romantic blouse, heels, and a cardigan.
Some may say you can wear leather pants like you would jeans, as in they go with everything. I tend toward putting a bit more thought into styling leather bottoms. For a high-waist trouser-like leather pant, such as Zara’s Marine straight pants, I’d style them on the preppy side with a button-up, pullover, and loafers. For tighter leather leggings, like Spanx’s Faux Leather leggings, I’d wear them with buffalo plaid, denim, and boots. It’s best to stay away from loungewear tops or sweatshirts when it comes to leather trousers, as slouchy pieces can diminish the effect of a sharp leather pant.
For leather accessories, the most obvious choices are shoes, belts, and bags. You probably have already incorporated those leather items into your fall looks, so carry on. However, there are other means of wearing leather accessories this autumn. Over on Etsy, you can pick up alternative accessories like leather hair ties and cuffs, leather shawl collars, and leather bracelets to add a touch of texture to your jeans, boots, sweater and scarf.
Autumn offers so many opportunities to incorporate different materials, layers, and add-ons. Hopefully, leather can find a way into your seasonal wardrobe to add a bit of edge and drama to your everyday fall style.
