It’s that time again for the monthly Signature Style with Cindy and Sarah! This episode we are talking leather or more specifically, the leather ‘look’. The items I am going to show today are mostly vegan leather except for a vintage jacket. The items I am referring to as leather have a leather look, lest there be any confusion. It’s the vibe we are aiming for here and the new vegan ‘leather’ is more comfortable and affordable than the real thing and kinder too.
Leather looking skirts and looser joggers have been all over Vogue and on the streets during recent fashion weeks. It looks like leather is here for again for fall and it’s becoming a bit of a classic. I have never before owned a pair of leather pants, but I do love the look of them with a soft sweater. When I think of leather pants this is the image that comes to the forefront of my brain- Olivia Newton-John and her albums… If you grew up in the 80’s she was the girl everyone wanted to be.
Still looks pretty great doesn’t it?
For those not hitting the bars or traveling with a band, think of ‘leather’ pants as a cooler option to the classic black pant. Why not? They add a touch of luxe and a bit of rock n’ roll to an upscaled outfit. Also, being over fifty, the traditional black dress pant can scream old school slacks to me and I want to avoid that!
I recently found two pairs -a slim fit legging type and a jogger pant in ‘leather.’ They felt much more comfortable than I expected and do elevate everything I put them with. A few of the looks I pulled together with these two pants..
Try a pair of slim leather pants with a longer top or oversized sweater for a more polished everyday look that’s still comfortable. These below, are a little more like a pant. Below, the straight leg pull ons with a long white button up, sneakers, a sweater for wrapping around the shoulder and a Rebecca Minkoff chain bag. An elevated errand day look!
Similar, but a bit more fitting-and very popular by Spanx are their Faux Leather Ankle Skinny Pants. My friend just bought these to wear with pretty blouses for parties and the holidays. Note: many of these pants run a bit large so read the sizing reviews.
The leather joggers are soft and something that you can have fun with. I dressed them up with an Ulla Johnson blouse I found on consignment and dressy sandals- modern and pretty feel for a dinner out. ( Also just for the record the day I took these photos we had hurricane winds, so I look a little crazy!)
Below, a super comfy look using the joggers with a denim shirt, shearling Birks and a cross-body.
Leather looking skirts of all lengths are also back and wrap and gathered waist versions seem popular and more livable than your traditional skirt. I don’t have a leather skirt, but I do like the newer relaxed looking versions like below.. so cute!
One perennial classic is the moto jacket. I never really coveted a motorcycle type jacket until a summer trip to Europe a few years ago. It was July and as it was Northern Europe, I was freezing my butt off and this California girl’s denim jacket wasn’t cutting it. I noticed in Germany, Belgium and all the towns we stopped, so many stylish women were sporting a small moto jackets. They looked cool and flattered all body types. After wearing a blanket over my denim out at night (truly), I hit the high street in Salzburg and found a jacket at the first shop for 40 Euros. Sold! These little jackets are a staple for women in Europe and a good classic to have in the the wardrobe. I still have the original and another in real leather from years ago.
My original Salzburg jacket- worn over a Jenni Kayne T-shirt dress I love, (link below) dressed up and dressed down depending on footwear and accessories.
Don’t be afraid to occasionally add a nice looking sneaker to your dresses if it will make you wear them more. These bootie sneakers are good for a day in the city, museums, etc with a dress. My husband says I look cool when I add them to dresses! He doesn’t remark on a lot.
Finally my real vintage leather moto jacket worn dressed up. This is over my favorite DVF silk dress . I added some lug sole Paul Green combat boots (similar on link), I bought before the pandemic. I think they give this a bit of a younger feel than heels. My very favorite way to wear this jacket is with a big black sweater, white jeans and black flat boots or sneakers.
Below some leather looks that have inspired me lately..
I hope you are excited to look at leather looking pieces and see what might add some cool to your fall wardrobe game. Go through the closet and drag out those leather pieces you might have for fall. Husband’s jackets are fair game too as the oversized look is in! Consignment places as always are a treasure trove also.
If you need to add a piece your collection below a few good vegan leather options in all price points..
Astars Inverness Skirt, Side Split Pencil Skirt, Bardot Pants, Cropped Joggers, Alice & Olivia Combo Pant, Belted Tan Pants, Laundry Pull On Leggings in Bordeaux, Halogen Joggers, Avec Les Filles Vegan Moto Jacket, Blank NYC Faux Moto Jacket, Jenni Kayne Leopard T-Shirt Dress, Bias Cut Printed Slip Dress, Target Tapered Ankle Pants, New Day Ankle Leggings,
Now please stop by Cindy Hattersley and Sarah London’s blogs and see what they do with leather. I am always getting ideas from what they share and both have so much personal style.
Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you have any thoughts or things to add about today’s leather theme!
Kim
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