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Faux leather trousers... how do you do it?

Minaminu

Veteran

As part of my fashion goals for 2023, I set myself the challenge to experiment with different textures and add some interest to my casual wardrobe.

I have been looking at faux leather trousers for quite some time and might have found an interesting pair (right price, good cut for a pear body shape, good neutral colour for autumn and winter...not sure which colour is the best option) but I am hesitating a bit as I never wore a pair before!

For those that already own a similar pair, how easy are they to style? Angie makes it look so easy but any tips to start wearing them? how can I check that the quality is ok, any ideas?

I was hoping to purchase a pair of navy suede boots but unfortunately my size was sold out, so I went for these pair taupe brown. What do you think? too tonal?

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Minaminu

notsaf

Veteran

Following this! I purchased a pair of pleather joggers last year and have trouble styling them without feeling too "extra"!

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I have multiple pairs and find them very easy to style. It’s a great way to add some texture to an outfit!

kkards

Veteran

I have a pair of black trousers and a pair of black joggers…I just treat them as black pants.

But honestly, is you want the best inspiration look at Runcarla’s posts
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....s-workshop
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....r-two-ways
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ck’s-day
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-a-j-shirt

Vildy

Veteran

I'd never have considered them but Carla got so much comfortable and attractive wear from her green ones that I lemminged her and then added a few more pair.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

The one thing is that it can look weird (to me) to have leather pants and leather shoes of the same texture. So I usually wear cloth sneakers with mine, or suede, or just something in an obviously different color or finish of leather.

Runcarla

Veteran

Thanks for the shout-out kkards and Vildy. The green faux leather cropped trousers (Finds below) were a December ‘21 wildcard, that have turned into a workhorse for me at 26 wears so far. I don’t style them any differently than I would other trousers, and pair them with flannel shirts, sweaters, t-shirts.

I run cold and find them excellent in fall, winter, and spring - but suspect they would be too warm in high summer.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't have a pair, yet, but after trying a silver pair and really liking the texture (much to my surprise!) I am going to aim to get a pair this fall/ winter.

I think my styling thoughts are similar to those mentioned above -- the only real trick would be footwear. I wouldn't really want to match footwear to the trousers exactly. I think your suede boots could work -- depending. It's a bit difficult to tell about how the colours will mesh from the photos. Also -- length of the trousers might make a different type of footwear more suitable. You'll know from the try-ons.

Joy

Veteran

I also lemminged Carla with a couple of pair faux leather trousers that are pull on. I plan to wear them in cold wind, but styled like other pants. Mine are tan and olive. I will be careful with washing and drying...probably hand wash and hand to dry. Other faux leather pieces like a jacket and bag have peeled badly. They will add texture and variety to your cool/cold weather wardrobe, but do not expect them to last for years. They will be warm and cut the wind. Do not pay leather prices for them. I found mine at the end of the season at The Rack and did not pay much....hense keeping two pair. I would love them in a deep green or red or yellow but did not find those colors. I like that they can take rain and wet. Enjoy. Style with anything....sweaters,flannel, faux fur or down vests, felt. Boots or booties, wool socks, sneakers, any winter footwear and toppers. I plan to look for a tan velvet jacket for even more texture. Mine are full length, straight legs, not crops or leggings or wide legs. Easy to style with tops.

delurked

Veteran

I have some from White House, Black Market and find them quite easy to style. What I like about the WHBM version are that I find them thinner than some others, so not super hot to wear, plus they have stretch and come in regular and curvy versions. I'll be keeping an eye out this fall to see what they come out with for styles and colors.

For me, it's about not overdoing the "leather" aspect, in that I wouldn't combine with a leather jacket and tons of rocker bracelets. They can be dressed up with a blouse or dressed down with a tee shirt. I have always really liked the look, and as long as you find a good fit that's comfortable for you, I think you'll find they give you lots of options on how to wear them.

Roberta

Veteran

I bought my first pair last year, and tried to wear them as I would black jeans. I agree with the footwear comments; I chose to wear mine with white nubuck boots or my orange suede Docs. I thought high contrast and a tougher look worked better for me.

I did find that I could only wear them in COLD weather. I heat up too much otherwise. And I liked to tuck something in so the pleather wasn't against my skin at the waist.

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SOREL Phoenix Lace Up Boots

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NYDJ Marilyn Faux Leather Straight Leg Pants

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Minaminu

Veteran

Notsaf, I am glad to hear that I am not the only one finding them a bit "extra"!

Jesssikams, good point about layering with different material and textures! I see what you mean with being OTT with too much leather!

KKards and Vildy, yes, I think RunCarla has been enabling a few fabbers to try pleather outfits! I like how effortless she styled them.

RunCarla, thanks for chipping in! I like the colour of your pleather trousers, it works well with your palette. Considering the UK weather, I think I could also wear them in fall and winter (and maybe some days in Spring).

Suz, good point about proportions! I'll post a picture if I fit in the trousers and the boots are ok with my PS.

Joy, pulled in trousers are amazing! Good to know that they suit wet and rain weather and yes, these options are also end of a line and very budget friendly.

Delurked, thanks! I didn't know those brands but will have a look. Good about the fabric thickness, will check it out!

Minaminu

Veteran

Roberta, thanks for the tip! Love your orange boots!

delurked

Veteran

These are the ones I see right now at WHBM. You can see they are a bit less shiny than some. I would be interested to see if they get other colors and preferably, a wider leg as they start introducing fall merchandise. I have one that's got a bit wider leg, which I like as an option. The long lengths seem to sell out more quickly. But they also have a regular and petite length too. Not sure this brand will work for your location, but throwing into the conversation for others. There's a real range of heaviness and stretch in faux leather, so it's worth trying on a few to find your preference.

(Second find is one I have from a few years ago. I sometimes will wear with a mid calf boot to fill in the gap of being a crop jean)

White House Black Market

Curvy High-Rise Coated Skinny Jeans

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White House Black Market

Mid-Rise Coated Straight Crop Jeans

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Runcarla

Veteran

@ Joy - FWIW, I washed mine inside out with a bunch of towels regular wash cycle and hung to dry. Look like new.

JP

Veteran

You already have great suggestions above, I just wanted to add that you can also

find a similar item and check outfit ideas on Nordstrom's website or many other sites, for instance this faux-leather pair:
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ma.....UWe0-KGZ_i

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Minaminu, thanks for the kind words, and I'm excited you're coming onto Team Faux Leather Bottoms!

I LOVE my faux leather pants and jackets. They are WORKHORSES.

A biggest tip that I can give you is to NOT buy faux leather items that look creased. You can't press them. The pants crease a bit when you wear them, but the creases fall out with your body heat, and when you hang them back up.

I'm with what Jessikams and Suz said.

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BLANKNYC Faux Leather Moto Jacket

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For my orange pleather pants, I wear these shoes with them:

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Aquatalia Selini Bootie

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Linea Paolo Venata Block Heel Bootie

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J.Crew J.CrewCap-Toe Ankle Boot

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Sam Edelman Lex Boot

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Converse Converse Women's Chuck Taylor All Star Winter Knit & Fur Fashion Sneakers

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Minaminu

Veteran

Delurked, thanks for sharing the pics of the

WHBM

faux leather pants! They look very well made.
JP, good idea of looking at Nordstrom! As I am based in the UK, I'd have to pay import duties and delivery costs from the US and that would be over my budget.
Angie, thanks for the tip! Note to avoid pants that are already creased. The orange faux leather trousers are a great addition to your wardrobe and appreciate why they are workhorses for you, they suit your colour palette and vibrant personality

I just ordered this pair from Mango for a very low price (paid less than

£10, more or less $12), which should give me the confidence to try a different style without feeling guilty if it doesn't work. Keeping all fingers' crossed!

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Joy

Veteran

Angie , I love your orange pants and would snap up any I saw that fit and were pull on. Are the boots red orange?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Minaminu, what a great idea! I like the pants you got, and hope they work out. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the sweet compliment too

Joy, those patent boots are red. I like wearing red with orange!

delurked

Veteran

What a great deal you got on those pants. I like the color too. You’ll be able to try them out and I bet you’ll like having them in your closet.

nuancedream

Veteran

I have several pairs of faux leather cropped pants from Anthropolgie and LOVE them. These aren't your mother's pleather pants that were stiff and so hot that they could cause you to sweat an inch off your waistline by noon. My pants are buttery soft and wash up like a dream. I like to pair my pants with a lace top or a cabled merino sweater. I like the combination of smooth and textured.

Anne

I absolutely love the look, could NOT stand to actually wear them, however, and donated mine. They were too warm for me to wear to work and they made noise as I walked and moved around.

RobinF

Veteran

I wanted some last winter and even tried some on but couldn't stand the leather against my waist. It seems like every paid I see have that. Plus I'm not sure how I would hem them. I do love the look though, and may try to find the perfect pair this year.

Anonymous

I have these, and like them cause they add edge to simple sweaters or button ups.
I like the burgundy pants!

Banana Republic

High-Rise Vegan Leather Legging

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Minaminu

Veteran

Angie, thanks! Boots have arrived and they are lovely... waiting for the trousers now!

nuancedream, I like the idea of the merino jumper with the pleather trousers!

Anne, yes! I am a very wary of the walking sound.

RobinF, good point about about hemming...Love your BR trousers!

Bee

Well, as you can see below, I’m still wearing skinny fit and legging type pants and I’ll probably be wearing them to my deathbed. I put together some outfits using photos from my old archive and a few new items (pants in photo #1, from Calzedonia).

I own at least 5 pairs of black pleather pants, one pair from each of the most popular fast fashion stores around here such as Bershka, Pull&Bear, Zara and (RIP) Forever 21. Most of these zip up the back or side but at least two of them have a regular front button fly. I’ve lost count of how many pairs I own from Calzedonia, most of them are super stretch and have a wide elastic waistband like in photos #2 and 3. These are not all black, at least 4 pairs are colored, solid or in faux snakeskin. Some have fake pockets with zippers or other embellishments such as stitching around the knees to creat a different texture.

My legging drawer is a mess right now and some items have been placed elsewhere, otherwise I’d take a photo right now. Maybe in the future when I have the energy to put all my “exotic” items together and make a separate thread for them.

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Minaminu

Veteran

Mango trousers have arrived and have already been sent back: too big! Oh well, onwards and upwards!

Bijou

Veteran

I had a cream pleather dress and found it wore well, it ended up tearing a little under the arms and so I knew it was time to dispose of it, but it was easy to hand wash and lasted for about 5 years with regular wear. I found the pleather was a bit softer than most leathers and so it was comfortable to wear.

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