Fun Ways to Experiment and Layer with Leather

Date: October 17, 2024

If you're anything like us, you're reaching for your favorite leather jacket as soon as the temperature dips below 65 degrees. Maybe it's a vintage jacket you scored at a secondhand store, a new moto jacket you can't wait to wear, a leather blazer, or a chic, ladylike cropped jacket to wear with slingbacks and skirts. Welcome to leather weather, AKA one of the best times of the year.

But at Trendsend, we believe your love of leather shouldn't be limited to just outerwear! While there will always be a place for a great leather jacket in your wardrobe and in our hearts, this year we're thinking outside the box and incorporating leather and faux leather (our fave!) from head to toe—especially when it's layered and styled up with fall's biggest trends.

If you want to wear a little leather…

How to layer with and style leather accessories

Don't underestimate the power of a leather accessory or a touch of leather texture to elevate an outfit. A leather baseball cap, a great belt, or even a statement shoe can take your look to the next level in just a few seconds. Swap your favorite cotton hat for a leather or vegan leather version while out and about on the weekend; it looks great with a casual hoodie and jeans or shorts and cool with a skirt, blazer, and sneakers.

Another way to incorporate a little leather into your outfit is with a sweater or top with leather sleeves or trim. It's subtle but still feels elevated, making it ideal for your next early morning office day.

If you like a lot of leather…

How to style leather skirts and pants

Give your jeans a break and rotate in a pair of leather or vegan leather pants or a midi skirt. It's the easiest way to add edge or polish to an outfit. A basic jeans-and-a-tee outfit looks so much cooler when you swap the denim for leather. This season, try a looser-fitting style like a straight leg or cropped bootcut and pair it with heels or sneakers, depending on the vibe.

A leather midi skirt is just as versatile as her denim cousin, especially with a tall boot. Dress it up just as you would a denim skirt, with blouses, button-down shirts (we love a leather and chambray combo!), and graphic tees. A high-waisted midi looks best with the top tucked in, but definitely experiment to make the trend your own.

How to wear leather on a night out

Got a date night or girls night on your calendar? You know what to do! A sleek leather or faux-leather bomber jacket basically screams "cocktail hour" and couldn't be easier to style, whether it's with jeans and a casual tee, tossed on over a patterned dress, or styled with a textured blouse.

This year, we're swapping the classic LBD in favor of the LLD—little leather dress, that is. It's the ultimate "one and done" moment and makes a major impact no matter how you style it. Try it with sneakers for an afternoon lunch date or heels on date night. A leather T-shirt is another fun option to instantly upgrade your outfit; it looks just as cool as the iconic white T-shirt and adds edge to even your sweetest skirts or simplest denim.

If you like the look of leather but not the texture, try a coated style instead! The waxy, weathered look is like leather's cool older cousin. Try coated jeans or jackets for a similar aesthetic that is just as effortlessly edgy but sophisticated at the same time.

What to know about vegan leather

You'll notice that many of our leather pieces are made of vegan leather versus the real deal. But what is vegan leather, anyway? For starters, it's a lot more affordable than actual leather, so if you want to try out the trend, this is a great place to start. It's soft, stretchy, and easy to wear and care for—and what more could you ask for during leather season?