Leather, corduroy, wool blends, and cashmere—I love the rich textures and materials that can be found in fall dressing. Today, I’m going to focus specifically on leather. Over the years, leather pants have become a staple in my wardrobe. I love that they can be worn both formally and casually, and they never go out of style! Similar to my recent guide on how to wear blazers, today I’m going to talk about how to style leather pants. I’ll go over my favorite pairs, the do’s and don’ts of pairing them, and leather pants outfits worth trying this season.
My favorite leather pants
The first step to putting together a killer leather pants outfit is selecting a pair that makes you feel your best. In the past, it seemed like the types of leather pants were limited. However, this is no longer the case! Just as there are currently tons of styles and shapes of denim to choose from, the same can be said for leather pants. Here are some of my current favorites!
Cropped short boot
The FRAME Le Crop Mini Boot jean is one of my favorite denim styles, so it’s no surprise that I love it in leather, too. This style comes in a classic black and a stunning deep tan. There are so many ways to style this pair. If you want to show off a bit of ankle, wear them with sneakers or a great loafer. Or if you’d rather cover up a bit, add an ankle-high boot or socks and/or tights with a platform loafer. I will say, this particular pair is a bit pricey. So if you’re looking for a similar knockoff option, check these out or these!
Skinny leather pants
I know the TikTok girls say skinny jeans are so dated, BUT, when you need a good pair of pants to tuck into knee-high boots, these are the ones. I love the lower rise of these leather pants and the fact that they hit right at my ankle!
Leather sports pants
Leather sweatpants… what an unexpected combination! But honestly, it’s just… worksI love the clean cuffs and exaggerated elastic waist detailing on this pair. With these, you can create endless outfits with leather pants that give the ultimate cool girl look for fall!
Straight leg pants
Straight leg pants are still trending and I’ve been on the hunt for a good leather pair. So far, this is my top pick. It has a comfortable leg, a great rise, and is slightly cropped.
Wide legs
As you may know from my discussions about how to pair jeans and wide-leg pants, this is a cut I love to wear. I was so excited to find these faux leather wide-leg pants, which I think could pass for the real thing! The stitching details and the forward fit make them look way more expensive than they are.
Outfits with leather pants worth trying
One of the best things about leather pants is that they are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. You can easily create casual outfits with leather pants and date night looks with just one pair. Here are some ideas for styling this wardrobe staple this season.
Travel day
These leather joggers paired with this oversized striped button-down shirt would make for a comfortable and stylish outfit for a day of travel. I would wear them with sneakers, as you’ll likely be walking (or running!) a lot in an airport. Be sure to add a few of your favorite pieces of jewelry to complete the look. For more travel options, check out these comfortable airport outfit ideas!
Running errands
I love the versatility of these straight leg pants. They can easily be worn from day to night with a change of shoes! For a morning of errands, these pants would look great with a button-down denim shirt and a pair of classic loafers. I would also consider adding a pair of socks for a fun twist!
Leather pants outfits for the office
Depending on your work environment, it is possible to wear leather pants to the office. To do this, I love the idea of pairing these cropped flared pants with some on-trend pointed ballet flats, this gold buttoned blazer, and these oversized gold earrings. This outfit would look perfect with this chic leather clutch, which I reviewed here.
Lunch with a friend
It’s not a very dressy look, but it’s a bit more put together than your usual everyday style. Meet this leather pants outfit. This is the kind of look that would be perfect for a lunch date in New York with a friend. You can pair these wide leg pants with black and brown boots and a cool cardigan. To complete the look, add a chunky necklace and this bag. The black and brown combination of this outfit is so chic for fall!
Leather pants outfits for a date night
There’s nothing I love more than bundling up and walking to one of my favorite wine bars in NYC with my husband. Leather pants outfits are perfect for this occasion! I would choose these skinny pants and pair them with trendy cowboy boots, an oversized sweater, and a bag for a little something extra.
Do’s and Don’ts of Leather Pants
While there are no hard and fast rules for pairing leather pants, I have come up with a few tips over the years. They are pretty basic and can be applied whether you are putting together a casual outfit or going for a more dressed up look.
1. Don’t be afraid to mix black and brown.
While some may claim that it’s not stylish to mix blacks and browns, I strongly disagree. I love a neutral head-to-toe look that incorporates lots of different shades. So don’t be afraid to mix blacks, browns, and tans!
Footwear should complement the leg shape and length of the pants you choose. For example, as I mentioned above, a skinny pant looks great tucked into a boot, while a wide or straight pant can look sloppy if tucked into a boot. A cropped pant looks best when you commit to fully showing your ankles. either Make sure you don’t show any ankles. These are important aspects to keep in mind when planning outfits with leather pants.
3. Don’t be afraid to try fake styles.
Some faux leather pants look just as expensive as the real thing. When looking for these gems, material and fit are very important. So don’t be afraid to order several styles to try on. As an avid online shopper, I’ve learned that what you see on a computer screen doesn’t always look the same in person.
4. First check your own closet.
Since most people only commit to wearing one pair of leather pants for the season, it’s important to think about the style options you already have in your closet. For this reason, I advise you to generally plan out the outfits you want to create. What shoes do you hope to pair with them? Do you have sweaters or button-down shirts you’d like to pair them with? Having a general idea of these questions can help you select a pair that will get you the best cost per wear.
Leather pants outfits for fall
Whether you’re a leather connoisseur or trying out this staple for the first time, I hope these leather pants outfits help give you some fun ideas to try out. For other fall favorites, be sure to check out my posts on how to wear blazers, comfy airport outfit ideas, my favorite wool coats, and how to style wide-leg jeans.
