This is how you can wear leather and not look like a 1970s TV detective

Melania Trump wore a Louis Vuitton leather skirt and matching jacket for a tour of Windsor Castle, Sept 17 2025 - Getty

Whether or not you agree with her husband’s politics, Melania Trump is undoubtedly a stylish woman. Case in point: the butterscotch-hued Louis Vuitton leather skirt and matching jacket she wore this week for a private tour of Windsor Castle with the Queen.

As it turns out, she’s supremely on trend, too. So far during New York Fashion Week, leather has dominated on the front row: Jessica Alba wore a burgundy leather pencil skirt at Tory Burch, Aubrey Plaza chose a long-line black leather jacket at Khaite and Oprah Winfrey rocked wide-leg leather trousers at Ralph Lauren (the first of two leather looks she wore this week, the second being a butterscotch leather skirt and matching jacket from Fendi).

Aubrey Plaza wearing a long-line black jacket by Khaite - The Hapa Blonde/GC Images

On the autumn/winter 2025 runways, one of the most anticipated shows was Tom Ford’s debut at Haider Ackermann in Paris, which featured a plethora of leather looks, including collarless and belted calf-skimming coats in black or oxblood, and endless leather trousers that were skintight, cropped or bootcut.

Meanwhile, Khaite, every millennial woman’s fantasy brand, showed leather maxi skirts in deep chocolate brown or black, worn with snuggly chunky-knit jumpers or layered polo-necks and fur gilets.

At Prada, leather skirts were either pencil length with a paperbag waist or micro-length, teamed with matching boxy jackets.

Even high street comeback kids Topshop were getting in on the action, with one of the most talked-about looks at their Trafalgar Square catwalk extravaganza being a high-shine chocolate leather pencil skirt worn with a matching trench and pink polo-neck.

Jessica Alba wore a burgundy leather pencil skirt at Tory Burch, Sept 15 2025 - GC Images

Of course, leather doesn’t come cheap, but thankfully the high street has some great options this season too. At Massimo Dutti, there are both pencil and wide skirt versions, with this Seventies-feel butterscotch brown skirt being particularly of the moment. Cos, another brand that recently did a runway show, has also gone big on leather for autumn/winter, with its £299 black leather pencil skirt being a reliable wardrobe staple, while the £969 coat is a suitable Haider Ackermann alternative.

Don’t overlook Marks & Spencer, who once again deliver on the fashion front (we’re so back, as they say in the campaign): the pleated pleather skirt is a bargain at £46 and will look great styled with a knit in any colour, while the textured leather trench is fast emerging as a favourite among the style set. Aligne are even doing leather shirts and T-shirts, if you’re ready to up your leather game further.

If you’re someone who feels a little like a Seventies police detective in leather, or who associates long-line leather jackets with The Matrix, there are ways to make it feel more innately feminine, says stylist Emma Rose Thatcher.

A long-line jacket with clean lines keeps a Matrix-inspired silhouette modern and feminine, says stylist Emma Rose Thatcher - Film Stills

“It comes down to the cut and length,” she says. “A pencil silhouette that falls to the ankle feels sleek and modern, while a subtle A-line that flares out slightly gives movement. I’d avoid fussy details like bulky pockets or heavy zips and keep the lines clean so it feels elevated and feminine.”

For a modern update, consider the colour you choose too: “Black is always timeless, but this season I’m drawn to warmer tones,” adds Thatcher. “Deep brown, burgundy and shades of tan are everywhere. They soften the edge of leather and feel easier to wear day to day.”

For those feeling the pull of doing double leather à la Winfrey, Thatcher has some words of wisdom. “Leather on leather works best when you add contrast,” she advises.

Oprah Winfrey at Ralph Lauren’s New York Fashion Week show, Sept 10 2025 - Getty

“A leather skirt with a matching jacket or shirt can feel strong, but softening it with lighter textures underneath, like a silk camisole, fine knit, or simple white tee, keeps it feminine. I also like to play with proportion – a slimmer skirt with a looser jacket, or wearing the jacket open with sleeves pushed up so it feels relaxed. Tonal combinations, like deep brown with caramel, look polished and intentional. Then finish with pared-back accessories and a delicate shoe to balance out the edge.”

It’s also important to remember that leather is an autumn/winter mainstay for good reason. Warm, durable, and chic, it’s an instant way to elevate your outfit and make it look more expensive, whether you’re in real or pleather (and with so many good imitations today, it’s nigh on impossible to distinguish between the two). This also means that the leather you buy this season could well last for the next few years and beyond, so it’s important to look after it.

“Leather improves with age if you take care of it,” says Thatcher. “Store pieces on good hangers so they keep their shape and avoid cramming them in the wardrobe. Wipe marks away with a soft cloth, and if they get wet, let them dry naturally away from heat. A leather conditioner will keep the surface supple, and a professional clean every so often will make sure they last for years.”

Slip into something shorter...

Or layer with leather...

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