Leather That Is Luxe For Less, What More Can You Ask For This Spring Season?
As we learned in 2020, you don’t have to be on the back of a motorcycle to wear leather anymore. We’ve seen it in streetwear, and more recently on the runways of many designer’s spring collections this year. Taking on leather sounds intimidating, especially taking it into warmer weather but it’s much easier than one might think.
The leather trend certainly isn’t new — it sowed its seeds in menswear of the 1960’s and became rooted in both men and womenswear in the ‘70s. Wearing leather began to lose its cool in the 2010s, leaving behind only the beloved biker jacket until the trend returned. But low and behold, leather is back in a very big way. Seen on the runways of Hermes, Altuzarra, Peter Do, Fendi, and numerous other designers, leather garments have been reimagined and modernized, making leather a prominent trend this year. It would be easy to drop thousands of dollars to take part in this cool girl trend but getting those thousands has proven to be harder than spending it. Luckily, I’ve found some super chic, high quality items that can serve as lovely dupes, so you don’t have to break the bank. Because we all know that old saying — why buy the cow, when you could get the leather for a way more affordable price?
Bottega Veneta wide-legged pants - $4,500
These wide leg lamb leather pants in “marsh” prove that leather IS safe for work. These pants could easily take you from a day in the office to a night on the town. It was difficult to find a dupe with the same mustardy-brown color, but I found two pairs of pants that are pretty similar for a way better price. The Frankie Shop wide band faux leather trousers in walnut will put you back $155. If that’s still slightly above your price range, Missguided’s chocolate co-ord faux leather wide leg pants are typically $67 but right now they’re on sale for $33 and I honestly think you’d have a way easier time styling this more chocolatey color pant anyway.
Proenza Schouler Bootcut Leather Pants - $1,990
These black leather bootcut pants are to die for. I am obsessed with them and just had to find a dupe for them. They give me very much “That ‘70s Show” vibes and I am living for it. The Majorelle Blake Pant is almost a perfect match for these, and cost $188 on Revolve.
Stella McCartney Hailey vegetarian leather straight-leg pants - $850
These high-rise straight-leg pants from Stella McCartney’s “Skin-Free-Skin” collection are perfect for any occasion. They are ankle cut and could be styled with just about anything. When I saw these pants, I immediately thought of the Wilfred Melina Pant, which come in four lengths and over 20 different colors. These are some of the most popular pants seen on social media right now and regularly sell out on Aritzia for $148.
Dior Short Buttomed Lambskin Skirt - $4,000
This Dior miniskirt is the perfect way to transition the leather trend from cold to warmer weather. This skirt can’t be tied to any season and is so simple but so chic at the same time. David Lerner’s Piper A Line snap front skirt is another great leather miniskirt that could be worn year-round, with the right styling. Plus, it’s on sale for only $55 from its normal price of $165 so how could you say no?
Tibi Leather Shorts - $495
These shorts show the more leisurely side to leather. They are relaxed and comfortable, making them the perfect spring short. River Island designed almost the exact same pair of shorts for over $400 less. Sold for $53 on ASOS, the River Island faux leather shorts are the perfect dupe for Tibi’s straight leg, ruched elastic waist shorts.]
Gucci red leather straight-leg pants - $3,700
Leather isn’t restricted to blacks and browns, and these bright red Gucci pants prove that. These pants reminded me a lot of the Motel Rocks Zoven flare trouser in PU red, which retail for $78. I have these pants and they are some of my most favorite pants in the world. Coincidentally, both the Gucci and the Motel Rocks pants have matching jackets that I’m equally obsessed with.
Lafayette 148 New York Ezrea Leather shirt jacket in hazelnut - $1,498
Leather shirt jackets are easily one of the most popular items within the leather trend, and brown leather is so in right now, so it only felt right to include this one from Lafayette 148 New York. Similar to the Bottega Veneta wide leg pants, it was a little difficult to find a dupe in exactly the same brown shade, but I am obsessed with the Motel Rocks Lumberjack shirt and thought it was a suitable dupe. It comes in four colors (the green is perfection in a shirt), and retails for $90.
Proenza Schouler Leather Blazer - $3,190
Classy and edgy, professional but never boring, everyone should own a leather blazer. WeWoreWhat’s Downtown Vegan Leather Blazer is what looks to be a perfect match to the Proenza Schouler jacket. It comes in black and cognac for $248. Not to worry, there is still an even more affordable option — the Nasty Gal Outta the Way Faux Leather Longline Blazer is on sale from $105 only $52.50.
Rag & Bone Belted Leather Trench Coat - $1,495
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, everyone needs a trench coat. If you have a leather trench coat, you’re ten times cooler in my book. I chose a beige over a black because it felt more trench-coaty. I found a lovely dupe for this on Nasty Gal. On sale for $45, their Longline Time Comin’ Faux Leather Shirt Jacket in chocolate proves that you don’t have to break the bank for a chic looking leather trench.
Alexander McQueen Leather Fit and Flare Biker Jacket - $5,490
When I was thinking about biker jackets, I didn’t really feel like I wanted to include them in this article because I feel like we’ve been there and done that. But when I came across this Alexander McQueen one, I knew I had to find a dupe for it. This jacket might not be everyone’s style but its unique feminine touch on an otherwise normal biker jacket sparked my interested. Not identical but certainly similar in style, I found the Guess Faux Western Jacket for just $128 from ASOS. It’s not quite as extreme as the Alexander McQueen, but still flirts with the concept of a more feminine biker jacket.
Ganni Puff-Sleeve Leather Mini Dress - $625
I love this dress, I love this dress, I love this dress. However, I unfortunately do not have $625 for this dress. I probably spend a good hour looking for the closest thing I could find to this Ganni mini dress, and when I found the Faux Leather V-neck Mini Dress from Topshop I immediately put it in my cart for $93. While it isn’t a perfect dupe, the construction of the Topshop dress is extremely similar to the Ganni.
Lafayette 148 New York Lowel Plonge Lambskin Leather Shirtdress - $1,698
This dress screams spring. The light-yellow color gives this otherwise utilitarian dress a dainty touch. Matching color is always hard when it’s not black but the ASOS Glamorous tall shirt dress in soft faux leather is a great dupe that’s on sale for $45.60. Because of its more muted tone, I think the ASOS dress could be worn year-round, whereas Lafayette 148 New York’s dress feels like it should be reserved for spring.
Article by Katie Harkey, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Destina Marotta, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
