TFLRT: Translating the Foreign Language of Runway Trends: Midnight Leather

Celine Pre-Fall '11

Michael Kors Fall '11 RTW

Akris Fall '11 RTW

Marni Fall '11 RTW

Andrew Gn Fall '11 RTW

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall '11

Hermes Fall '11 RTW

Derek Lam Fall '11 RTW

Chloe Fall '11 RTW

Giles Fall '11 RTW

Tracy Reese Fall '11 RTW

Barbara Tfank Fall '11 RTW

(runway photos courtesy of Style.com)

There is something so darkly chic about the edge that black leather has, and it’s perfect for that crisp edge that the cooler months will bring. Lots of leather made it onto Fall ’11 runways, and a lot of it was buttery and black. Some designers have opted for a more synthetic, glossy sheen, as it comes down to aesthetic taste, or the designer’s belief in using real leather or not. The plethora of leather doesn’t just include jackets, shoes, and handbags, but we see pants, leggings, skirts (in typically longer lengths), gown-bodices, shifts, tops, and even overalls. Leather is more versatile than you think! However, you can’t just throw leather into the wash, so it does require some care when you’re actually wearing the piece. And if you just don’t want to fully commit to real leather (or the price of it), try something in faux-leather, just be careful to avoid the fauxs that look or smell too cheap. Faux leather looks better in smaller doses and pieces, like skirts, shorts, paneled leggings, and little cross body bags. Investing in a genuine leather jacket may be something you consider though, because leather does last, especially if it has been weatherproofed, and it only gets better with age. You can wear a black leather moto jacket season after season, atop a pop of color, white, gray, or sleek black, and it will always look polished (keeping the rest of the look in sync and balanced, of course).

Leather is so intriguing because it provides some edge even with its soft, different kind of texture that’s unlike any textile you may be wearing with it, and the contrast adds interest and dimension to your look as a whole. And usually we think of black leather for evening, but you can certainly wear it to the office! A wonderful thing about leather is that basically with a change of shoes and accessories, it can easily go from day to night. Try a tweed leather-trimmed blazer (or just an actual leather blazer!) with a pair of slacks for the office, or a leather pencil skirt with a crisp white blouse, a colorful cardigan, and some suede lace-up oxford heels and textured tights. Going out after work? Untie those oxfords, slip on some black semi-sheer hose, some black suede booties, and your favorite silk and sequin tee (or something fun, just not something too reveling…the leather skirt will speak for itself) and a little structured cropped jacket or sweater with a metallic cuff and some fun earrings. Going out, but not coming from the office? Try a leather shift and heels (or some knee high boots, if the dress is a bit above your knees, but not right below your bum) with a little jacket or blazer (velvet, sequin, just not something tweed or the like) and a statement necklace. Or, go for some slim leather pants or leggings with some calf-hair leopard print wedges and a dressy long tunic top, a black blazer, and some fun accessories. (Also, you can take those leather leggings and pair them with an oversized sweater and some engineer booties for easy weekend wear). And of course, you can never go wrong with your favorite pair of dressy jeans, a pair of pumps or high heel boots, a tastefully fun top, a statement clutch (in a jewel-tone python print perhaps?), and a black leather jacket to look effortlessly sleek and chic when you’re popping about town for the night.

Runway for Real Life Options: