As we welcomed the first day of Fall on Wednesday, it is time to start planning our Autumn and Winter wardrobe essentials. With cooler temperatures comes heavier fabrics, longer sleeves, and lots of layers. We start our Fall clothing necessities with this week’s topic “Leather Weather.” While the quintessential black leather jacket will never go out of style, we’ve picked some of our other favorite leather options that you might want to try this year. So snuggle down with your pumpkin spice latte and take a look at our top picks for this Season’s “Leather Weather” style.
Who says leather doesn’t fit in an office setting? This Season, live on the edge and bring your leather out to work with you. In order to keep your look classic and sophisticated, stick to more tailored leather pieces like mid-length pencil skirts, a tailored leather jacket, or button down leather vest. We like the chic faux wrap black leather pencil skirt from Lafayette 148 New York paired with Hale Bob’s black silk button down blouse and Michael Kors’ classic black kitten heels with extra flex for all day comfort. Accessorize your workday look with Royce Leather’s black briefcase and delicate black leather gloves from Prada for chillier Fall mornings. This year is all about breaking the fashion “rules” and wearing styles that work for you. What better way to kickstart the new Season than to wear your favorite leather piece to the workplace next week.
One of the simplest ways to stay styled and fabulous for Fall is the leather legging. Adaptable to any occasion, pair black leather leggings with your favorite chunky sweater and booties for daytime errands or throw on a flowy blouse and heels for lunch with the girls. We love celebrity Olivia Palmero’s simple legging style pictured above accessorized with a cozy knit sweater, handbag, fun ankle heels, and casual topknot. While leather leggings can run between the $1,700-$2,000 range, get her similar look with Ralph Lauren’s paneled faux black leather leggings topped with Hale Bob’s gray ombre knit pullover sweater and funky ankle strap heels from Charles David. Be sure to add leather leggings to your closet this Season for quick, easy styling throughout the Fall and Winter days ahead.
Make your leather leggings go double duty and pair with your favorite sweatshirt and sneakers for a trendy “Athleisure” look. From Alexander Wang’s slouchy off-duty street wear to Michael Kors’ athletic tanks spotted at last week’s New York Fashion Week Spring 2016 Collection, it looks like this trend is here to stay. We like Hale Bob’s black quilted faux leather leggings paired with Liberty Garden’s cozy long sleeve sweatshirt and Nike’s customizable running sneaker. Simply throw on a tailored wool blazer from Laundry or Hale Bob’s long teal boucle coat and you are ready for meetings or lunch out after your workout.
Don’t forget to add a bit of edge to your next evening out on the town with a chic leather dress. From fringe to sheath to A line, we love the new leather dress silhouettes designers are creating this Fall. For date night, try Nicole Miller’s short sleeve black leather sheath dress accessorized with chunky gold jewelry and rose gold pumps from designer Sophia Webster for a bit of elegance contrasting against the sleek leather. If sleek isn’t quite your style, go with BCBGMAXAZARIA’s A line sleeveless knee length dress perfect for the nightlife and also suitable for the next morning’s business breakfast or meetings at the office.
A third leather dress style we love this Season is the fringe look. Carry Summer’s carefree “Boho” spirit with you into the cooler months of Autumn with a sweeping black leather fringe dress. We love the Total Eclipse long black dress from Nasty Gal as pictured above or go with a more classic look with the long sleeve fringe party dress from YOOX. Whichever leather dress style you choose, be sure to update your accessories to reflect the chillier weather with warm ankle booties or “cage” heels, leather clutch, and matching leather jacket.
When we think of the leather vest, the first image that comes to mind is a Harley Davidson bike rider. However, designers this year are re-imagining the iconic leather vest and have re-fashioned the look to suit any style or taste. From Phillip Lam’s tailored shirt length style to Saint Laurent’s fringe to IRO’s fur trimmed, the black leather vest has come along way from it’s motorcycle stigma. Try the look this Fall paired with your favorite skinny jeans and white Tee or style over your favorite maxi dress from Summer. We like Lucky Brand’s slouchy black leather vest or go with a longer style in Neiman Marcus’ sleeveless leather zip front vest. If cropped suits you more, try Topshop’s “Sylvia” faux leather Moto vest or Eileen Fisher’s beautiful draped black leather vest. Whatever style you choose, the leather vest is a perfect layering accessory to include into your Fall wardrobe this Season.
Combine two favorite Fall patterns with leather and plaid. No need to reserve your cozy flannel for relaxing days at home. Bring your plaid out to shine paired with your favorite black leather pencil skirt and heels. We like Ann Taylor’s faux leather skirt topped with Ralph Lauren’s plaid cotton blouse and black ankle strap heels from Sam Edelman.
Another leather and plaid style combo to try for Fall is your favorite leather leggings paired with a cozy flannel. We like Hale Bob’s quilted leggings combined with the perfect plaid flannel shirt from Current/Elliott and comfy suede wedges from designer Pedro Garcia. You can also accessorize your look with your favorite sneakers and beanie for a cool, casual “Athleisure” style. Step out in style this Season with Fall’s favorite leather and plaid.
Leather doesn’t have to come in just black or white. Try the “jewel toned” trend this Season and bring a little color to Fall and Winter’s cold, blustery days. Look for leather skirts, jackets, and handbags in emerald green, canary yellow, crimson scarlet, or deep purple. We like Bagatelle’s classic red bomber jacket, perfect for the office or a night on the town. Or go with Ann Taylor’s emerald green pencil skirt paired with Hale Bob’s ivory silk charmeuse blouse and Jimmy Choo’s nude patent leather pump. Be the talk of the town this year and accessorize your wardrobe with a bright yellow clutch from Fendi or go casual with a yellow leather backpack from Marc Jacobs. This Fall, don’t be shy. Add a little color to your wardrobe collection.
Whichever way you choose, be sure to include a little edgy leather into your wardrobe this Season. Whether you choose a sleek pencil skirt, an A line dress, comfy leggings or a bright yellow handbag, leather is your “go to” fashion for easy yet chic Fall style. Start shopping the trend today and remember our motto to be you, be fabulous, and always be feminine.