Leather is undergoing a style revival.
“Leather has transcended trend and become a staple," says Kristina Matisic, co-host of W Network's Anna & Kristina’s Beauty Call. "This season, leather is definitely stronger than ever, with new pieces appearing, such as leather leggings.”
Leather pants, blazers, suits and dresses showed a strong presence on the catwalks of design luminaries including Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Brioni, Michael Kors, Rodarte and Canadian Denis Gagnon.
“I love leather because it’s a material that’s alive, ages well and transforms over time, depending on the wearer’s body," says Gagnon. "A leather jacket or leggings are classics you can wear almost anywhere. To dress it up, add something with sparkles like a Lurex scarf. To dress it down, a turtleneck is a good choice.”
While a few designers dabbled in colours such as grey, brown and red, black leather tops the colour chart, fueled at least in part by fashion’s growing fondness for all things from the eighties.
“No need to worry about colour – it’s all about black,” agrees Marcel LaFrance, a Quebec-based spokesperson for the Full Circle clothing line.
Leather jacket silhouettes include the ever-so-trendy motorcycle style, but cropped and fitted leather blazers also rank high as seasonal favourites. Retro detailing includes ladylike funnel collars, hidden zipper placket closures and three-quarter length sleeves.
To tone down leather’s tough image, pair it ruffled blouses, soft sweaters and wool jackets.
Play up the sporty appeal by wearing a leather mini-skirt with chunky sweaters, knit tops and denim jackets.
“Leather has now transitioned into every area of dressing,” says Jennifer Steckel Elliot, a spokesperson for Danier.
For the office, pop a tailored leather blazer over a sheath dress, tweed skirts and classic trousers.
Leather dresses range in style from classic sheaths with cap sleeves to dramatically ruched and strapless evening styles such as the one recently seen on Angelina Jolie.
If leather clothing appeals but is out of reach, less expensive ways to adopt the trend include bold, over-the-knee leather boots and scrunchy, elbow length gloves.
