Everybody’s Wearing Statement Leather

It’s no secret that owning a capsule closet makes getting dressed an everyday pleasure – not least for the sleek simplicity it affords you each morning, but also for how easy it makes telegraphing an air of put-together polish, even when you’re short of time. On-rotation staples such as trench coats, crisp shirts and tailored pants are simple, smart and chic – so it’s no surprise they’ve become the building blocks of a contemporary wardrobe.

This season, these understated separates have been elevated to star status when crafted from buttery leathers – as spied by the PORTER fashion team at Paris Fashion Week, where elongated overcoats and cropped belted jackets looked effortless, whether styled with slick cycling shorts or something more tailored.

Leather was once predominantly associated with more punkish outerwear – think biker jackets replete with zippers – yet the trench coat in particular feels like a fresh proposition when rendered in this tactile textile. Appropriate in all contexts, from business to brunch, the black leather trench feels rebellious yet refined. The Row’s ‘Travis’ coat is a real investment piece: with hidden fastenings and a partially concealed belt, it is elegant and yet undeniably urban.

For a luxe take, pair with Petar Petrov’s leather cargo pants, which are a slick take on this off-duty classic – with a low-rise, wide-leg silhouette, they’re visually leg-lengthening, even when worn with sneakers. Meanwhile, Loulou Studio’s oversized flight jacket in an ice-cream hue is ideal for the new season, especially when worn with crisp white denims or head-to-toe tonal looks.

Looking for a true statement piece? Gabriela Hearst’s ‘Campos’ shirt is the embodiment of it, in every sense of the word ­– stitched by artisans using the marquetry technique, this tile-effect button-up is crafted from leather and suede. Pair it with jeans or the matching skirt for the full effect. Best of all, leather pieces will get softer and more tactile with age – a reason to wear them on repeat if ever there was one.

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