The Chicest Jewelry To Wear With A Leather Jacket
Leather jackets are a staple of a stylish wardrobe and an ideal canvas for fine jewelry, creating the perfect high-low contrast that lets precious metals and diamonds sing. Need some styling tips? SARAH ROYCE-GREENSILL has the lowdown…
A leather blazer
JENNIFER MEYERSmall Edith 18-karat gold diamond bracelet
The satin-like texture of Jade Trau’s brushed-gold and diamond designs complements buttery-soft leather, and her ‘paperclip’ chains add an industrial edge to a tailored jacket. Parisian brand Viltier, meanwhile, combines diamonds with onyx or mother-of-pearl in its signature magnet-shaped motif.
Mixed metals are making a comeback and lend themselves well to the ’90s aesthetic – Spinelli Kilcollin’s cult-favorite ‘Galaxy’ rings combine sterling silver with 18-karat yellow and rose gold, plus a smattering of diamonds.
A black leather blazer is also a luxurious centerpiece to a monochrome look. Maintain the simplicity with blackened gold and diamond jewelry – check out Delfina Delettrez’s single earrings for daytime, or Shay’s interlocking-link pair that are embellished with more than 2.5 carats of diamonds for pared-back evening glamour.
A leather biker jacket
Inextricably linked with a rock ’n’ roll and punk aesthetic, leather bikers call for jewelry with a rebellious streak. Ear cuffs toughen up a nonchalant outfit: Anissa Kermiche and Maria Tash both string the upper ear with fine gold chains, while David Morris’ 18-karat white-gold ear cuff proves that even romantic rose-cut diamonds can have attitude.
DAVID MORRIS18-karat white gold, emerald and diamond ear cuff
ANITA KOHavana small 18-karat gold necklace
DIANE KORDAS18-karat rose gold, enamel and diamond necklace
“A leather biker jacket calls for jewelry that is cool and powerful,” says Anita Ko, who champions the daily wearing of diamonds. “I would wear a large statement necklace or a stack of diamond chokers. Pair your leather jacket with a slip dress and you can layer dainty pendants and a long diamond lariat.”
London-based designer Diane Kordas wears her favorite Saint Laurent leather biker jacket with her elevated take on a dog tag strung between pearls and adorned with a protective evil eye. “In ancient history, leather was used to fortify armor, which is exactly how I feel when I wear my leather jacket,” she says. “The evil eye channels the mythology of Ancient Greece in a cool and glamorous way. It’s an understated way to feel strong and protected.”
A leather flight jacket
Whether in classic black by Chloé, mint green by Stand Studio or Remain Birger Christensen’s hot pink, an oversized leather flight jacket is a sumptuous addition to your weekend wardrobe. Its vintage vibe is an excuse to add a pop of color to your jewelry: look to Marie Lichtenberg’s psychedelic enameled locket or Melissa Kaye’s fluoro hoops.
MELISSA KAYELenox small 18-karat gold diamond hoop earrings
SOPHIE BILLE BRAHEEscalier de Perle 14-karat gold pearl earrings
“Once you throw on a perfectly aged leather jacket, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing underneath; what really matters are the jewels,” says Anna Amsalem, co-founder of New York-based label Gemella. “I love layering our beaded ‘Sweetheart’ necklaces, which won’t get lost beneath an oversized jacket – the charm adds some femininity to an edgy look.”
Almasika’s pink-sapphire-embellished ‘Berceau’ cuff and ‘Le Grand Cauri’ necklace offer a subtle way to complement or clash with a colored flight jacket. Founder Catherine Sarr likes to stack her jewelry high: “There is something empowering about a leather jacket that I want to replicate with strong, bold jewelry,” she says. “I like to wear a stack of bracelets, several chain necklaces and sculptural rings; even when I pile it on, it’s still a casual, contemporary look that mirrors the effortlessness of leather.”
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