How to wear leather

… And look GOOD. Essentials to last you ‘til the end of time.

Leather. It’s clean, it’s sleek and it’s chic. It has a luxe vibe about it, and the near-magical ability to elevate just about any combination of clothes you can find in your wardrobe / on your floor of a morning. And, as an added bonus, it’s a sure-fire way to look like you spent more on your outfit than you actually did.

You’d be used to leaning on leather accents – a bag here, some boots there, and perhaps the occasional biker jacket should the occasion call for it. Statement pieces, worn in adherence to a strict one-at-a-time policy.

Those days, though, are gone. This season, it’s a case of the more than better. So, make like Grease’s Sandra Dee and embrace the leather look. Jackets, pants, accents – all of it.

Think mod, think biker, think rocker – but don't think an extra on The Matrix. The trick to getting this right? Lean on style essentials – think crisp white shirting, washed-out denim and warm-toned knits – to break up your look.

And as for those bad girl connotations? Let that reputation precede you.

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The biker jacket

Rebel, rebel: the easiest of riders, a black biker jacket is an everyday essential. This Elka Collective jacket has a vintage moto feel to it, crafted from pebbled lambskin with hard-wearing silver detailing. Team yours with a classic blue jean / white shirt combo or go for something a little more femme, like a slip dress and a statement bag. For the cooler days, layer your slip with a tee or turtleneck and then wear it solo for evenings.

The trick with leather jackets is to get the weight right – are you looking for something heavier, with a little more room to rock with knits or a lighter, more form-fitting style to run with crops and T-shirts? Whatever your answer, remember this: there’s nothing wrong with having more than one…

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The dress

A leather dress is a trans-seasonal essential, a wear-and-go piece you can style any which way you’re vibing. Fit is crucial here – you want something that’s form fitting, but with room to move. LOVER’s pinafore style number is perfect, with plenty of give in the soft-to-touch lamb leather. And, for the low-maintenance souls among you, this style’s deep, rounded pockets mean a bag is optional with this carry-all.

Be sure to pair it with something delicate to soften up the look, something ultra-femme. Think MATIN’s crisp white lace-trim top and, for the millennial finish, mid-weight hoop earrings.

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The accessories

And, here are the accents, the bring-it-all-togethers. To lift your look, go for a classic carry-all tote in a familiar and elegant silhouette with statement hardware. And, for the ones-and-twos, go for a pair that will leave their mark. Dazie’s Aria Ankle Boots are sleek in crinkled patent leather, toughened up with a biker-ready zip detail. Team these with your daily dose of vintage-look denim: something wide-leg, something rigid, something in a mid stone-wash, something special.

Shop the leather look now.