8 best women’s leather clothing pieces: The skirts, blazers and trousers to wear this season

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts

Sign up for our free IndyBest email

Sign up for our free IndyBest email

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Never underestimate the power of leather – it’s long since been associated with pop culture rebels, James Dean and Danny Zucko included, it’s a fabric for cool kids; think Kate Moss in those skin tight leather trousers in the mid Noughties.  

And while leather’s clearly been a key fabric across the decades, it heavily dominated the autumn/winter 20 catwalks, making it a stand out wardrobe mainstay.  

From fashion heavyweights, the likes of Balenciaga, Versace and Fendi, to emerging labels, such as Petar Petrov, the message from the runway was that when it comes to leather, more is more, and designers heavily championed the “Matrix” movement.  

Saint Laurent served vinyl across tailored suits and dresses, while Stella McCartney brought more fluidity to her silhouettes, sending faux leather tracksuits down the catwalk.

Leather can seem a little daunting at first. But, playing with the trend needn’t be difficult. If you’re looking for a starting point that you can build on, try adding just one statement piece to you A/W wardrobe – we’d advise turning to a classic over shirt or a great pair of leather trousers. If you’re a seasoned pro, direct your energy towards mini dresses with fine line details, or go for leather for a Keanu Reeves-inspired look.  

With an array of covetable pieces on offer – from faux designs to real styles – there’s a lot to play with. And while real leather is often expensive, and perhaps not to your taste, there are plenty of high-quality faux leather options that feel just as luxurious and soft as the real thing. 

It is worth noting that while vegan leather is more ethical, it is created with PU – a type of plastic. However, many brands are sourcing new ways to craft it in a more sustainable way.  

The pieces within this round-up were chosen and tested based on looking and feeling high quality, the material being soft and supple, and the clothing items being versatile. 

From transitional skirts and dresses, to trousers, shirts and blazers, each of these will steal the show – go bold and conquer.  

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.