My clients have been lusting after leather skirts lately, so I’ve had extra practice with how to match them with the right tops and footwear. In one example I wrote about recently, client Bei-Jing rocked her leather skirt to work and felt fab. 

The key to wearing a leather or faux leather skirt is to keep the support act soft and texture-rich. Creating this contrast against the severity of the leather makes it completely wearable for both work and play. Follow these guidelines: 

• Keep the top soft: I like leather skirts best when matched up with a drapey silk or polyester-rich blouse. Luxurious cashmere or angora knits, and sequined tops are also a perfect pairing. Tee’s and knit tops can work, although I find them a harder combination to pull off with sass. Denim and button down shirts look okay, but provide a more hard-edged look.
• Keep the jacket texture rich: Think of lush textures like wool, boiled wool, tweed, velvet and faux fur jackets and toppers. Trench coats and denim jackets are fine, but will once again create a harder edge.
• Keep the footwear texture rich: Do not wear tall flat leather boots with a leather skirt unless you are a rock star. Knee-high suede or patent boots look a little better, but it’s a tricky business. Too much leather from waist to foot.  Suede or patent booties, on the other hand, are fab because bare legs create a textural contrast against the leather. Patent, animal print, tweed, houndstooth, mock croc, snake skin, satin or suede heels are great options. Flat leather pumps look okay, but a more contrasting texture looks better to my eye. 

Hosiery is a nice addition, but not essential. I prefer sheer hosiery with leather skirts, but semi-opaque can work too. Either patterned or plain is good. 

Who is feeling leather or faux leather skirts this season? Shout in the comments section if you have further questions about how to wear them.

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