Put Some Skin in It

© Flickr / Leather Fashion Fashionista

Though leather is always in style for fall and winter, it can be an intimidating trend to try. Body-hugging and sexy, the leather skirt is the original va-va-va-voom piece, but few Miamians actually work them into wardrobe rotation, for obvious temperature-related reasons. But on a cool, breezy night out, there’s no reason you can’t wear one of Fall’s lighter, more sophisticated leather styles. Strike a balance by wearing an aggressive material like leather with soft, feminine pieces.

This season, diverse designers were bent on reinventing the leather skirt - Marc Jacobs turned midi-skirts into bronzed, metallic leather, Reed Krakoff made silvery leather into artfully shaped wrap skirts; Tracy Reese used brilliant, copper-colored leather in her collection, and the models at Maison Martin Margiela wore some of the most unusual leather pieces we’ve ever seen. The plethora of textures, shades, shapes, and styles has put the ubiquitous black leather mini to shame (or at least to the back of your closet, for now.)

© Marc by Marc Jacobs, Acne, Reed Krakoff, Vince, YSL, Sachin + Babi for AnkasaMetallic leather is not for the meek, so use it with caution. Take a cue from Marc Jacobs and work the Limelight Metallic-leather Skirt (a coveted piece from the runway collection) with a warm-hued sweater in marigold, Bordeaux, or rusty orange – tights and chunky-heeled booties or mary-janes should do nicely, but so would a patent leather pair of pumps. Reed Krakoff’s Leather Wrap Skirt in cosmic pewter is another beautiful way to do the trend. Pair it with a sleek, semi-sheer blouse and monochromatic jewelry to embody the collection’s cool, austere aesthetic.

Do a mini the right way with the Pacific Leather Mini Skirt by Acne; in super-soft creamy leather, this skirt can be worn a million ways. We’d love to see it with an oversized, cropped top in fine jersey or cashmere – something that drapes well. Add aggressive footwear – think cage heels or leather booties with rivets or studs – and soft, patterned bag for thoughtful look that feels effortless. If white’s not your style, the Vince Leather Pleated Skirt is another fab, structured mini in rich, bourbon-colored lambskin. Balance out the ultra-short hemline with coordinating tights and a textural sweater in a chunky, nubby, or wooly knit. Add glam metal jewelry and you’re set.

Colorful leather is also on our list – the trick here is to pick a bold hue in a classic, shapely silhouette.  A midnight-blue suede Yves Saint Laurent High-wasited Wrap Skirt looks best almost unadorned; worn with a simple white shirt, heels, and pearls, this leather could easily be worn into the office. On the other end of the spectrum is the Curtis Skirt from Sachin + Babi for Ankasa; in saturated papaya, this pencil skirt is a statement piece for sure. Play it up for night-time with a shredded tee, bangles, and boots, or work it to the utmost sophistication with a nude-silk blouse, skinny camel cardigan, and bone-colored pumps.

Finally, a word about faux leather; whether you’re a vegan or simply on a budget, “pleather” has its place. But like all imitations, it’s easy to end up with something that simply looks cheap. Avoid that dilemma by closely examining your faux-leather piece for that tell-tale plastic shine – a dead giveaway that your piece is a fake. Take the time to hunt for a quality, un-leather piece with a matte finish and a substantial feel to it.

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