Trend report: Luxury meets edgy chic with leather

Inject your look with edgy leather wardrobe items to keep up with fall’s hottest trend

The super chic trend making waves this autumn/ winter is leather.

Most of us love our leather jackets, which have established themselves as the outerwear du jour for the fashion forward over the years. Whether it’s to toughen up summer florals, to glamorise a party dress or inject some edgy style into our casual blue jeans and t-shirt combo, the leather number injects an instant edge to any outfit.

The Fall/Winter 2010 collections were bursting with butter-soft skins used on every possible garment from skirts to shorts, t-shirts, dresses and even lingerie. Designers and high-street stores alike have embraced fashions love affair with leather so whatever your budget or body type, you can tap into this trend and incorporate into it your personal style.

Christopher Kane

In the past, leather may have been associated with a grungy, rock chick look but not anymore.

This season even the girliest of girls can work the leather look with a little help from hotter-than-hot British designer, Christopher Kane. In his Fall/Winter 2010 collection, Kane kept his leather dresses ultra feminine with the use of lace panelling and exquisite floral embroidery. Kane’s dresses are cut to skim the figure rather than cling to it and the modest necklines give us the most sedate way to wear leather. With the added detailing with collars, Kane’s take is definitely the most youthful and fun way to wear this look.

How to get the look on a budget: Try Urban Outfitters and H&M for on-trend but affordable leather dresses.

Betty Jackson

If you’re a non fussy girl and minimalism is more your style, then look no further than renowned designer Betty Jackson who presented us with many wearable leather pieces including t-shirts, shift dresses, A-line skirts and sleeveless gilets.

Minimalism has been big news this season and the leather pieces in her Fall/Winter 2010 collection are all wonderfully keeping up with this trend. Jackson’s collection offered clean lines, simple shapes with a fuss-free style and can be an extremely wise investment and a hard-working addition to your winter wardrobe.

How to get the look on the high street: Head to Cos for good quality leather basics.

Isabel Marant

When it comes to effortless chic, no one does it better than Fashion’s Queen of cool, Isabel Marant.

Her inimitable Parisian style has made her designs a must-have amongst the international fashion pack so naturally her take on this season’s hottest trend was one of the most desirable around.

For Autumn/Winter 2010 Marant brings us cropped leather motorcycle trousers as well as sharp-shouldered leather jackets, sleeveless vests and thick leather ‘obi’ belts.

If you’re feeling bold then her ultra-fitted scarlet leather trousers will guarantee you instant style points. Wear with a chunky knit and a pair of platform heels for a slick girl-about-town look. If it’s a cocktail party ensemble you’re after, team Marant’s black leather trousers with a sequin-embellished t-shirt and platform ankle boots for an effortlessly elegant look that’ll make other guests wild with envy.

How to get the look on the high street: Topshop has brought out numerous styles of leather trousers as well as fitted, cropped and oversized jackets and vests.

Iman’s Dos:

• Invest in a versatile leather jacket


• Wear leather with a bright red lip and minimal makeup


• Buy leather leggings or trousers to wear with a long kameez to add a youthful twist


• Wear with dark nails


• Wear leather with chunky knits for the perfect winter look


• Leather and lace together it is a dream combo

Iman’s Don’ts:

• Invest in coloured leather, black is the most versatile


• Wear with a fussy hair do, let the look be clean and minimalistic


• Wear with fluorescent colours


• Wear head to toe leather

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2010.