LEATHER WEATHER: A LEATHER FOR ALL SEASONS
One of my perennial wardrobe staples is leather – jackets, bags, pants, you name it! If I could find leather socks, I’d probably wear them! 🙂 But seriously… leather can be a timeless fabric that knows no seasonal bounds if paired the right way. Spring and autumn’s temperate weather and colorful natural backdrops are the best playground for finding your own way to rock this fun fabric… Whether your style is rocker chic or sophisticated and sleek, I’ll show you how to look cool in warmer temps and warm up to leather when it’s cooler out. Keep reading below to see some of my favorite ways to wear the trend and shop my current faves in stores now!
THE LEATHER MOTO JACKET
Perhaps my favorite style is the leather moto with skinny jeans and a simple tee
Leather moto jackets are designed with a more fitted but cropped and casual look, making them the perfect piece to layer over maxi dresses and keep proportions in check
You can make any girly outfit like a maxi skirt instantly cool by adding a leather moto. For black maxis, I like to soften the look a little with a slightly lighter leather like this navy jacket from Massimo Dutti
Or if you go REALLY girly like a hot pink maxi, wear a tougher moto jacket in black, like this one from Warehouse Sweden (link below!)
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THE LEATHER PANT/JEAN COMBO
When you want to rock a cooler, hipper look like leather pants but feel like it’s a bit too much – try a denim/leather combo like these Helmut Lang jeans that are leather paneled on the front and black denim on the back!
Combo leather/denim pants look cool but casual – you can wear them with blouses, blazers, tee-shirts or chunky sweaters. Add a pair of patterned heels for an extra pop of punch!
A neutral colored coat (like this camel it color of the season!) helps play up the depth of textures in this pant and keeps you warm on those cool spring evenings!
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THE LEATHER LEGGING
Dress these up or down with a casual boyfriend blazer and flats or a pair of sky-high candy-colored heels!
The other benefit to leggings vs. leather pants or jeans is, they’re more flexible and allow you to move freely and frolick about!
The same look can work for a chill daytime hang (like shopping in Soho or brunching with friends) if you swap out the heels for some fashion-friendly flats!
Leather leggings also look great with a pop of color on top, like a bright sweater, blouse or blazer! Keep the look cool by adding a pair of neutral flats…
THE LEATHER BLAZER
Leather blazers are more structured and slightly longer than your moto jacket – these work well with voluminous skirts and lighter washed jeans… Perfect alternative to a boring business blazer for mild temps!
This gorgeous draped version of a leather blazer-style jacket by Nour Hammour is a fun, trendy way to dress up a basic jeans-and-tee-shirt look
Maxi skirts or dresses with full skirts are my favorite pieces to partner with this jacket!
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Every time someone asks me how to update or refresh their wardrobe, or tell me they have nothing to wear and feel averse to buying an entirely new wardrobe, I ask them what’s up with their leather situation! At which point, most people ask how they can wear leather without looking too intense, harsh or uncomfortable. Most people don’t realize that leather can be soft and supple, look elegant and sleek, or take any plain outfit and make it instantly rock’n’roll chic. Whether your style is boho chic, hipster, uber feminine or minimalist, there’s a leather look just for you!
Most of you know I’m OBSESSSSSSED with maxis! Dresses, skirts, far-out wide-leg pants that look like skirts… you name it! I’m also obsessed with color, florals and prints. BUT, more than half the time, my “uniform” borders on something resembling what I like to call Parisian Minimal, or… my ALTFIT (aka, “I wanna be an Alt!”): a hint of femininity balanced by a lot of neutral basics with a slight edge – channeling style icon du jour, every jour for all of eternity, Emmanuelle Alt!
Alt captures the quintessential Parisian chic look: minimalist neutrals in black, white, grey and navy, effortlessly chic structured blazers paired with skinny dark bottoms, and a hint of subtly seductive femme in gorgeous stilettos
LEATHER JACKETS AND JEANS: So how do you balance all these different looks and make them suit your own personal style? ENTER LEATHER! I truly believe that the richness and texture of leather adds depth to basic outfits like jeans and a tee that take them to the next level! For all you gals who constantly worry you have nothing to wear, just put on a grey or white slouchy fit, draped tee tucked into a pair of dark skinny jeans, add a leather jacket and go! Add a pair of heels to dress it up a bit or hit the town fearlessly in flats for daytime.
LEATHER PANTS AND TEES: OR, take the same concept and flip it around: wear leather pants or leggings with a blouse, flowy sweater, or t-shirt and boyfriend blazer for a similar look. Some of you don’t feel comfortable in full leather leggings, so for those girls, enter my new favorite jean by Helmut Lang: leather paneled front with a black denim back! That way I’m not worried about a shiny, leathery backside flashing all around town 🙂 But I still get the cool effect of the leather pants (party in the front, chillin’ in the back)!
LEATHER JACKETS AND MAXIS: My other fave! A cool leather moto jacket is usually cropped, fitted in the shoulders and waist, but has that cool-girl boxy fit when unzipped. Also known as the biker jacket, it can make any girly outfit like a maxi skirt or dress look instantly edgy. For black maxis, I like to soften the look a bit with a slightly lighter leather like a navy or olive green color. These work best with straight-cut or A-line maxis. If you have a full-skirt look you want to flounce, keeping proportions balanced with a more fitted, structured leather jacket like a blazer style will do the trick. If you want to elevate your style to a more fashion-forward version, opt for a strong-shoulder jacket like my Trouvé jacket from Nordstrom pictured above.
Shop my fave leather jackets, leggings and coordinating maxis above or through the links below (including styles < $100!). And don’t forget to let me know what your favorite go-to leather look is and how you make it your own in the comments section below!
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xoxo –pari–
Navy motorcycle leather jacket by Massimo Dutti (similar here and here) | Oxblood cross-body messenger bag: iPad drew connect bag by @dvf (similar here and here) | Black cropped Baxter jeans from @topshop | Black leather and denim pants by Helmut Lang from Saks Off Fifth (budget-friendly faux leather version here and here) | Black leather skinny leggings by Vince (similar here and here) | Red blazer by Zara (similar here) | Herringbone blazer by Laveer (similar here, here and here for < $60!) | Fuchsia and Red Maxi Skirts from Revolve Clothing and The Outnet (similar here and here) | Red pleated maxi dress by Eliza J Dresses from Nordstrom (same dress in a different print here, similar Eliza J dress here, and similar red maxi dresses here for < $70 and here for < $60!)
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