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Signature Style – Trending Now the Leather Look

October 12, 2021 By kimwheeler 16 Comments

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!

(Lisa Aiken Neiman’s new Fashion Director- link to her below also)

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..

Lisa Aiken, Neiman’s Fashion Director in a vegan ‘leather’ wrap skirt and friend with looser ‘leather’ pants.
Images via Vogue and Pinterest.

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

Links may sometimes generate a small commission. Thanks for supporting the blog.

Filed Under: Signature Style, Uncategorized Tagged With: #fallwardrobe, #signaturestyle, #signaturestyleleatherlooks, #veganleather

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Francesca B. says

    October 12, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    Wonderful looks Kim thank you for your time and energy. I love the joggers ! Just bought an oversized faux leather blazer so l am feeling very chic. Happy Fall 🙂

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 12, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      H Francesca thank you for stopping by! The oversized blazer sounds super cute. I can think of so many great ways to wear that. Enjoy! xo

      Reply
  2. cindy says

    October 12, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    Kin
    You look like a teenager in every one of those looks. I am sure you have heard the story I thought you were my daughter’s age when I first met you. Anyway I love every one of the looks you shared. I cannot wear joggers I look like a tub. I admire anyone who can. Thanks for doing this with us you and Sarah are so chic. So glad you let the old bag tag along!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 13, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      Cindy you are too kind. I think you are the person that makes this feature fun and cool and you inspire me so much with your personal style. xoxo

      Reply
    • Gayle Olson says

      October 14, 2021 at 6:52 pm

      Cindy, you all are lovely and stylish but you rock it so incredibly. High style and interesting! Love your look always!

      Reply
  3. Wren says

    October 12, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    I love the looks you and Cindy put together, both quite different but all tasteful and stylish.
    Could you please share who makes the pants in the picture below Olivia NJ? You have a link to the bag but not the pant and I like that looser fit.
    Thanks Kim and btw, your wind-swept hair looks great! Some photographers have to get fans to have their model’s
    hair to do that.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 13, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      Hi Wren, I didn’t link to them because they are out of them in black, but they are in a few other colors. Now at the Rack here: https://rstyle.me/+_vb-7kbI1x9AEfYuHZ8MmQ
      Thanks about the hair! I guess I need more stormy weather when I take pictures! LOL.

      Reply
  4. LA CONTESSA says

    October 13, 2021 at 8:08 am

    I like YOU BEST IN THE ANIMAL PRINT DRESSES AND THE MOTO JACKET!
    ALL THE PHOTOS ARE EXCEPTIONAL TODAY EVEN WITH THE WIND!
    AS LONG AS THE HUSBAND SAYS SOMETHING KEEP ON THAT TRACK!
    XXX

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 13, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      Thanks E, so true. xoxo

      Reply
  5. Michele says

    October 13, 2021 at 8:49 am

    Kim love the vegan leather looks and you make all of them look stylish! They have come a long way since the days of the plastic looking ones – in some now you would never know they are not real. Wish the handbag people would get on board with the trend too although I have a couple of Charles Keith bags that are fabulous vegan leather. Also the footwear is on point – love getting away from the pointy toe heel look – let’s vote comfort and style instead!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 13, 2021 at 9:34 pm

      Hi Michele, I agree the new vegan leathers have improved so much! You know you’re so right, we don’t see as nearly as many vegan bags. Still seems like leather is everywhere and just a few like Stella McCartney and a few others are committed to non animal materials. I hope that is changing and we see more as vegan leather becomes cooler. Yes agree so much about the shoes too! It’s hard to see women in extreme heels anymore. To me they just look dated. xo

      Reply
  6. Annie Diamond says

    October 13, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    Kim!! You look amazing in every look! It’s hard to pick a favorite because they are all so good, but I do love the look with the shealing birks and the YSL crossbody bag!
    You are too cool! xxx

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 13, 2021 at 9:35 pm

      Annie thank you. Love those Birks so comfy! I can see you in this look too. xo

      Reply
  7. Juliet says

    October 15, 2021 at 9:53 am

    Love all of these looks, Kim … and you sure know how to rock them! The faux leather pant is everywhere and I’ve been resistant. Remembering a pair of real leather pants I had eons ago and how uncomfortable they were. But, these joggers … they look comfortable, relaxed and so so good. Your husband’s right … the way you pair a Moto jacket with a dress is an awesome look. I’m taking notes. As for your leather – faux and otherwise – inspiration … is there anyone more lovely than Olivia?! xo

    Reply
  8. Susan says

    October 24, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    I guess somehow I managed to miss it, but wondering if you linked the pair you’re wearing with the Ulla Johnson floral top ( the pair with the drawstring. 😊). Many thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      October 27, 2021 at 12:09 pm

      HI Susan, Sorry your comment got lost in spam! The pants were originally out , but looks like they are back at The Rack. Also they run large!
      https://rstyle.me/+g9xsY90yebaayRkA2lcUPQ

      Hope that helps!
      Kim

      Reply

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