I can't talk leather without bringing up Ross Geller's infamous pants incident that resulted in "some sort of paste!!!" on Friends. Now that it's out of my system, I can tell you how utterly obsessed I am with the trend. Of course, leather jackets and pants are nothing new, but according to Spring and Summer's most wearable trends for 2020 [1], the concept of leather dressing is more prominent than ever. I, in turn, am here to explain how you can wear this trend IRL, because even though I love a luxe leather (or faux-leather!) piece, I know how tricky it can be to pull off with ease.
I tend toward neutral colours, and find black and brown leather pieces to be most versatile and easy to wear. The perfect starting point for a stylish leather outfit! Despite the fact that I subscribe to a rather minimalist [2] aesthetic, I find that leather pieces with clean lines and minimal embellishment are best regardless of your chosen silhouette, be it a buttery-soft leather dress, high-rise trouser, or oversize shirt. My third hot tip? Let a single leather piece be the focus of your outfit, then ground it with wardrobe basics [3] like jeans, a plain turtleneck [4], or a simple black boot. Trust me, your look will stand out whether that's the aim or not. In fact, you'll likely emphasise the exquisiteness of a leather item by streamlining the rest of your outfit.
Without further ado, ahead, keep reading for three ways I'm wearing the leather trend now and into Spring. Then, shop all of my outfits head to toe — I've managed to source most of my exact pieces and similar styles with affordable alternatives in the mix, too.
Ways to Wear Leather: A Dress
When styling this leather dress, I took the neutral route by teaming black and brown together (I know what you're thinking and yes, this is "allowed") with a pop of ivory. Since this length hits me just below the knee, a tall boot felt right nestled just under my hemline.
Ways to Wear Leather: A Dress
With a black turtleneck as my base, I was able to style my dress slightly open and with the sleeves pushed up for a little volume. Plus, the layers add dimension to my muted look, which is further amplified by my gold chain-link necklace.
Tibi Faux-Leather Belted Shirtdress
Tibi Faux-Leather Belted Shirtdress [6] ($635)
Zara Faux Leather Shirt Dress
Zara Faux Leather Shirt Dress [7] ($70)
Wilfred Free Only Turtleneck
Wilfred Free Only Turtleneck [8] ($58)
Schutz Abbey Boot
Schutz Abbey Boot [9] ($295)
Mango Croc-Effect Boots
Mango Croc-Effect Boots [10] ($100)
Miista Inga Black Nappa Leather Boots
Miista Inga Black Nappa Leather Boots [11] ($625)
Marc By Marc Jacobs Large Envelope Clutch
Marc By Marc Jacobs Large Envelope Clutch [12] ($99)
Pouch Dumpling Crossbody Bag Cloud Handbag
Pouch Dumpling Crossbody Bag Cloud Handbag [13] ($32)
Baublebar Hera Link Necklace
Baublebar Hera Link Necklace [14] ($44)
Missoma x Lucy Williams Gold Waffle Ring
Missoma x Lucy Williams Gold Waffle Ring [15] ($110)
Missoma x Lucy Williams Gold Ridge Ring
Missoma x Lucy Williams Gold Ridge Ring [16] ($90)
Aurate Infinity Ring
Aurate Infinity Ring [17] ($120)
Ways to Wear Leather: Pants
As I said, I instantly feel Ross Gellar's distress when thinking about leather pants, but these buttery-soft trousers are so far from maddening. With a high-waist and self-tie belt, I tucked in a slim-fitting cardigan (styled as a top!) which created a very flattering and elongating line for my 5'4" frame.
Ways to Wear Leather: Pants
Though neutral, the rich brown hue of these pants feels really elevated with my off-white basics — one of my go-to palettes when I'm feeling fatigued by black.
Ways to Wear Leather: Pants
For a playful pop, I choose a sky blue bag — a big colour trend [18] for 2020! — and finished my look with pearl earrings, black sunnies, and delicate gold jewellery.
Wilfred Pearl Deep V-Neck Cardigan
Wilfred Pearl Deep V-Neck Cardigan [19] ($138)
Sea Lidia High-Rise Leather Trousers
Sea Lidia High-Rise Leather Trousers [20] ($475, originally $950)
Glamorous Wide Leg Pants in Soft Faux Leather
Glamorous Wide Leg Pants in Soft Faux Leather [21] ($51)
Aska Calvin Mules
Aska Calvin Mules [22] ($395)
Dolce Vita Roya Mules
Dolce Vita Roya Mules [23] ($140)
If I Fell Le Squarette Bag
If I Fell Le Squarette Bag [24] ($385)
Old Navy Faux-Leather Half-Moon Crossbody Bag
Old Navy Faux-Leather Half-Moon Crossbody Bag [25] ($17, originally $30)
Sofia Zakia Diamond Girl With A Pearl Earring
Sofia Zakia Diamond Girl With A Pearl Earring [26] ($575)
Mejuri Organic Pearl Drop Earrings
Mejuri Organic Pearl Drop Earrings [27] ($65)
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet
Zoe Lev 14k Gold Initial Bracelet [28] ($195)
Tiny Letter Bracelet
Tiny Letter Bracelet [29] ($27)
Celine Square Acetate Sunglasses
Celine Square Acetate Sunglasses [30] ($460)
Carolina Lemke Plenty Sunglasses
Carolina Lemke Plenty Sunglasses [31] ($40, originally $75)
Ways to Wear Leather: A Shirt
As you can see, I'm very much here for a layered turtleneck [32] moment, choosing a slim-fitting white style as the base to my oversize leather shirt (this one is also vegan leather!).
Ways to Wear Leather: A Shirt
Keeping the rest of my look simple, I opted for straight-leg jeans, black ankle boots, and a brown bag because I'm clearly addicted to mixing black and brown together.
Ways to Wear Leather: A Shirt
When styling an oversize leather shirt yourself, consider fasting just a button or two to define your shape, or wear it open in lieu of a jacket.
Pixie Market Black Vegan Leather Shirt
Pixie Market Black Vegan Leather Shirt [33] ($145)
H&M Short Turtleneck Top
H&M Short Turtleneck Top [34] ($10)
Agolde High Rise Kick Pinch Waist Jeans
Agolde High Rise Kick Pinch Waist Jeans [35] ($178)
Lost Ink High Waist Straight Leg Jeans
Lost Ink High Waist Straight Leg Jeans [36] ($64)
Dear Frances Cube Boot
Dear Frances Cube Boot [37] ($550)
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots
Seven Dials Nicole Mid-Calf Boots [38] ($55, originally $70)
Sharkchaser Triangle Shoulder Bag
Sharkchaser Triangle Shoulder Bag [39] ($720)
Charles & Keith Brown Rectangular Top Handle Bag
Charles & Keith Brown Rectangular Top Handle Bag [40] ($53)
Roxanne Assoulin The Mixer Bracelet
Roxanne Assoulin The Mixer Bracelet [41] ($85-$415)
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring
Barbela Diamond Wilder Ring [42] ($1,150)
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring
Missoma Lucy Williams Gold Pave Ridge Ring [43] ($72)