Fair-Leather Friend

I’ve seen so many chic peas rocking leather separates this season, and have to admit attraction to the luxe reinvention of this rock n’ roll favorite. (Leave it to Olivia P. to make leather shorts look upscale.)

{Olivia in ASOS}

{Olivia in Tibi}
{Anh of 9to5Chic}

{from the Intermix Fall 2011 catalog}

{Blair of Atlantic-Pacific}

{street style, captured by stockholm street style}

{miranda kerr, as seen on rdujour}

How do we feel about this? I think the best approach is — as seen above — to blend leather with other interesting textural contrasts. For example, what about a classic pencil skirt in black leather (the one below is by Balenciaga — $1,270, Matches — but I’ve got my eye on this $49 version from Zara) paired with a clean, silky topper ($245, Satine) and a statement-making necklace ($525, Kelly Wearstler):

I’d finish with some suede burgundy tootsies for color/texture contrast (Louboutin, $895, Bergdorf’s):

— and a little calf-hair snakeskin clutch to sweeten the deal (Reed Krakoff, $890, Net-A-Porter):

Love. The ideal topper for this mixed-media look? A fur-trimmed camel wool coat in a ladylike cut (Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, $1,540, MyWardrobe):

Or go a bit bolder with this IRO leather shift (on ridiculous, 70% off sale for $286, TheOutnet), paired with some gold enorma-studs (Alex Monroe, $290, Net-A-Porter):

I’d dress up the bold look with these ladylike, pointy-toed pumps (Givenchy, $590, Net-A-Porter) and this darling plaid tote ($345, Kate Spade):

I’d top it off with a gray flannel cape coat (Milly, $575, Neiman’s):

Or go seriously bold with some leather shorts (J. Brand, $183, Shopbop), a bow-necked blouse (on sale for $20, Old Navy), and a ladylike boucle jacket (Tory Burch, $625, MyTheresa):

I’d finish with these ivory-and-black pointy-toed flats (Michael Kors, $290, Harrod’s), and a pop of color in the form of this red-and-burgundy Proenza Schouler crossbody (the colorblocked leathers is very au courant — $1,295, MyTheresa):

Though I’ve featured a lot of black leather here, I actually think brown leather is a lot easier to “luxe up.” Consider, for example, a nubby ivory sweater ($411, MyWardrobe — or check out this cheaper $98 J. Crew version) with a brown leather mini ($180, Reiss) and some topaz earrings ($295, Charm&Chain):

I’d finish with super-high, 70s era heels (love the croc detailing — Rachel Zoe, $290, Shopbop) and a pop o color in the form of this Chloe clutch/wallet ($540, Net-A-Porter):

Not sure you’re ready to go “whole hog” (or, in this case, whole cow)? Try just a touch with a leather-trimmed mini (Sandro, $285, Net-A-Porter), a printed blouse ($350, Matches — or check out this similar Tucker style, on sale for $201 at Shopbop), and a statement piece (L.O.V.E. this deco style by Kenneth Jay Lane, on sale for $89, TheOutnet):

I like it paired with these electric blue pumps (I’m seriously loving Michael Kors this season…$295, Shopbop) and a simple black shopper ($169, Zara):

Or try this leather-pocketed, collarless coat ($659, Tibi) over your LRR (leather-rinse-repeat) daytime outfit (in my case, a tunic or blouse and black skinnies) and finished with a pair of black-on-gold earrings ($36, Max & Chloe):