Fall fashion, incoming! Chillier weather is on the horizon, so it’s time to begin thinking about the pieces that you’re going to wear once fall arrives. Summer heat calls for light trousers like linen pants, but leather pants should be on your to-buy list for the new season. The best leather pants are not only a great way to add edge to your work pant collection, but can easily be styled for day or nighttime wear. Ahead, I chatted with Emma Grede, the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American, about the pairs she loves, the ways she styles them, and what makes a great pair of leather pants a fall must-buy. Plus, celebrity stylist Jenny Rodriguez weighs in on how to make your new pair work overtime this season.
“I love an all leather moment in the fall because it’s an easy, transitional look,” says Grede about why she’ll be wearing more leather this season. “Whether paired with a tee and sneakers or a fitted bodysuit and heels, leather pants make any outfit feel very polished and chic.” Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to invest in a pair of real-leather pants to get the look. Vegan and faux-leather options are available at a range of prices now, so you can still achieve the look without spending half of your monthly income on one single pair. Good American’s Better Than Leather range, for one, is made from a durable faux-leather material that looks just as luxe as the real thing. Grede also notes that pieces within the range are available to shop in a variety of fabric weights—lightweight, medium, and heavy—so you can find pairs that will work year-round.
Ahead, shop Grede’s favorite pick–plus a few of our editor-approved picks from brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Helmut Lang, and STAUD, as well as styling tips courtesy of our favorite stylists.
The Best Leather Pants
Abercrombie & Fitch is beloved across the internet for its range of affordable denim styles, but these vegan leather pants, which retail for $110, should also be on your wish list this fall. They’re available in four inseam lengths from Extra Short to Long, and feature an extra 2 inches through the hip and thigh when compared to the rest of their denim styles, meaning that they have a flattering fit.
One hundred percent of the leather used to create this pair of kick-flare pants from Deadwod was made using upcycled materials for a sustainable, chic take on the trend. The lining is also made from 100 percent recycled polyester!
This iconic pair of leather pants from Aritzia are available in a whopping 29 shades and three inseams. Plus, the inseam lengths are designated by your height rather than inches, so you’ll be able to sort out which option is right for you without pulling out a measuring tape.
Brown continues to be one of 2023’s most popular colors. Brown leather pants are also slightly more daytime-appropriate than black options, so I consider this vegan leather pair to be the best all-day leather pants.
Speaking of going-out leather pants, meet this ultra-shiny vegan patent leather pair from Simon Miller. Skinny enough to be tucked into boots but not quite a pair of skinny jeans, this luxe-feeling pair runs slightly small, so size up if you’re in between sizes for the best fit.
These best-selling leggings from SPANX sit at the intersection of shapewear and actual clothing. Great for layering under a long top or sweater this season, they’re available in both regular and petite sizes and leg lengths.
"My go to is our Better Than Leather Good Boy pants–they’re a super high rise boyfriend fit and are so flattering on all body types. I’ve seen each of our Good Squad members style them in so many different ways—they’re such a versatile staple that transitions seamlessly from fall to winter," says Grede.
If you’re after a pair of leather leggings that look like pants but aren’t, these from Calzedonia are the ones for you. They have a button-and-zipper closure and belt loops for easy styling, plus pockets that will fool even the most eagle-eyed fashion fan.
I’ve long been a fan of AGOLDE’s Pinch-Waist jeans, and this pair from the brand features leather panels that are great if you’re dabbling into the world of leather pants this season.
These low-rise leather pants from FRAME have a subtly-flared leg and a cropped length if you’re on the petite side. The leather in this pair has a touch of stretch for the perfect fit.
Madewell has reimagined their Perfect Vintage Straight Leg Jeans in a soft faux-leather for fall 2022. They’re available in plus, petite, standard, and tall size ranges. They’re also machine washable!
These 100 percent real lambs-leather pants from iconic designer Helmut Lang are a wardrobe staple to invest in now and wear forever. The long leg length is great if you’re tall, too, and have a timeless, ‘90s-inspired high-rise fit.
For those who love to have fun with their fall fashion, this metallic blue pair of leather pants from Miaou is great. They have a high rise and a straight-leg fit for a revamped take on a classic silhouette.
Cream-colored leather pants are a great way to style white after Labor Day. This vegan leather pair looks great with a white tee or a cushy cashmere sweater, and they work with black boots courtesy of the contrast stitching or casual white sneak
For a work-ready alternative to the typical pair of leather pants, this belted pair from Commando has it all: a slightly cropped leg, a balloon-leg silhouette that will make your legs look longer, and has a jersey panel across the back for all-day comfort.
These stretchy 100 percent real leather pants from Ksubi are the pinnacle of comfort and style. The slight slit at the hemline makes them a great option for wearing with heels, but zips up to be tucked into boots, too.
These classic pants from Mango have a longer leg lengh, making them a great option if you find that even regular-length pants come up a bit short.
Available in standard, petite, tall, and plus sizes, these super-cropped culotte-style pants are great if you're into the longer short trend but aren't ready to go full Bermuda in 2023. Style these culottes with knee-high boots to elongate the leg if you're nervous about the wide-leg silhouette.
Cargo pants are one of 2023's defining trends. This leather take on the trend elevates from from a Gen-Z favorite to a classic, office-ready staple. Shop them in either a light brown or a mossy green hue.
These $70 faux-leather pants from Dynamite are available to shop in eight shades ranging from classic black to electric blue (and this elegant deep brown hue, too).
A happy medium between a formal leather pant and a pair of laidback sweats, these Nova Sweatpants from AG are great for the office or just dressing up a basic T-shirt.
How to Style Leather Pants for Daytime
“I like to style leather pants for fall because it’s the perfect staple for the season,” says Rodriguez, who has worked with Beyonce, and stylists Marni Senofante and Elizabeth Stewart. “It replaces jeans for me, especially when going out. Leather pants on their own can elevate any look.”
When it comes to styling your leather pants for the daytime, Rodrigues prefers to match “leather pants with a white tee and an oversize blazer or jacket” because it’s so “chic and effortless.” For a slightly out-of-the-box way to wear leather pants this season, Rodriguez recommends trying out a monochromatic look. “I also like to play with colors,” she says. “So if the leather pants, let’s say, are orange, I would pair them with an orange top or pink for a little pop.”
How to Style Leather Pants for a Night Out
For a night out, feel free to play with texture and sparkle. “One of my favorite looks is contrasting more feminine accessories with an oversized piece like our fleece shacket, which is perfect for chillier fall nights,” Grede says. Her go-to includes ”pairing leather pants with one of our bodysuits, an oversized shacket, our Cinder-F*cking-Ella pumps, styled with gold hoops and a slicked back bun.”
Meet The Experts
Emma Grede is the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American,the first fully inclusive fashion brand that celebrates all dimensions of female power. In October 2016, Emma launched Good American alongside Khloé Kardashian. What started as the largest denim launch in history, Good American is now an iconic inclusive fashion line of denim, ready-to-wear, swim, shoes and activewear.Emma is also a founding partner of SKIMS, a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear and shapewear, and co-Founder of Safely, the plant-powered cleaning brand delivering chemical-free cleaning products to the masses. Emma got her start working in fashion show production, before founding and serving as CEO of ITB Worldwide, a talent management and entertainment marketing agency.
Jenny Rodriguez was born and raised in Los Angeles. First generation Mexican American. She’s been in the Fashion industry for nearly ten years as a stylist. She started her career in TV, working as an assistant in wardrobe, and worked her way up from there. Since then, she has worked on red carpet award shows, editorials, campaigns, and commercials, just to name a few.
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