These 20 Pairs Of Leather Pants Are More Versatile Than Jeans
Prepare to live in them all winter.
What do punks and chic French girls have in common? For one, they often opt for a sleek pair of leather pants over a more standard pair of straight-leg jeans. And honestly, they may just be on to something. You’ve likely worn your motorcycle leather jacket to death, but a good pair of leather pants is just as deserving of being worn on repeat.
Leather pants are more polished than denim, but not quite as formal as a pair of tailored trousers. And as demonstrated by punks and Parisians, they work in plenty of wardrobes, regardless of your preferred aesthetic. “Think of leather as an investment piece that you can pair with anything and return to again and again,” Marianne McDonald, the creative director of Citizens of Humanity, says.
Black leather pants are easy enough to style, and they’re the perfect pair of pants for trendy or transitional dressing during fall. They can balance out the texture of a chunky sweater or rough tweed during the day, and help you lean into the sleek vibe of a silk cami at night. But this season, you may also want to consider something beyond the most basic iteration. Trendsetting brands like Saks Potts and REMAIN Birger Christensen make us want to invest in a boldly printed or colorful option instead. Meanwhile, classic-meets-cool labels like Khaite and Proenza Schouler have us considering more interesting silhouettes.
If you’re skeptical about finally buying a pair of leather pants, you’re not alone. That famous Friends scene where Ross struggles to pull his leather pants back onto his body has deterred plenty of us. But we promise, our favorite IRL pairs are nothing like the kind you’d see in Central Perk. Karen Phelps, the creative director of AGOLDE and Goldsign, also recommends looking for a leather blend “that features a mechanical stretch that gives and molds to the body, allowing it to be worn from day to night”—just to be sure you find a pair with the perfect fit.
Ahead, the 20 best leather pants you’ll be able to slip into and out of with ease. So much so, we guarantee you’ll find yourself reaching for them instead of your favorite pair of go-to jeans.
Isola Mid Rise Boot Recycled Leather, $628.76, Citizens of Humanity "Look for a year-round pair such as the Isola Mid Rise Boot that you can wear with sneakers or heels in mild weather, and since the cropped fit hits right above the ankle," McDonald says, "it's perfect to pair with boots in colder months."
Vinni OKOBOR™ Alt-leather Pants, around $655, Nanushka
If you prefer pants made with alternatives to classic leather, these simple black pants from Nanushka couldn't be more ideal.
Becky Leather Trouser, $1,350, Anine Bing
You may not call them pedal pushers anymore, but cropped pants are just the thing for showing a little ankle—while riding a bike or running errands or riding a bike while running errands.
The Marlowe Leather Wide-Leg Trousers, $3,369, Interior Interior is a label that New York City’s trendiest dressers have on their radars. Obviously, the brand's take on leather pants is trendy but still timeless.
Kate Straight-Leg Pant, $824, J.Crew Curating your collection of everyday basics? These straight-leg leather pants deserve to be at the top of your list.
Beige Leather Pants, around $848, LVIR Minimalists, rejoice! There's a new neutral in town: these ecru leather pants. Wear them with an oversized turtleneck sweater for the ultimate hygge vibes.
High-Rise Flared Leather Pants, $1,745, Acne Studios
Wide-leg may be the de facto silhouette of the moment, but there’s a reason flares are still around. They're extremely versatile, as demonstrated by these Acne Studio flared leather pants. You can style them with any footwear, from a pair of square-toe boots to running sneakers.
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'90s Fitted Recycled Leather Pants, $507.60, AGOLDE The relaxed high-rise cut of these leather pants feels extremely '90s, which, of course, means it's poised for a comeback any day now. Get ahead of the trend by investing in this fitted pair now.
Cutout Eco-leather Pants, around $841, Matériel We can’t endorse these cutout leather pants for the office, but for celebratory occasions, this is the best way to show some skin. And you can always pair with a bodysuit or an oversized sweater when you want to cover up.
Brown Benedicte Leather Pants, $1,046, Saks Potts These slick snaky pants are the perfect example of the punk Parisian crossover we're talking about. You can wear them with a studded leather jacket or a simple chic satin button-down depending on the vibe you're going for.
Pernille Pleated Faux Leather Wide-Leg Pants, around $481, The Frankie Shop
We don't agree with Kim Kardashian's mantra of "Get your fucking ass up and work." But if you must go into the office, these leather trousers will no doubt make you feel badass.
Good Boy Faux Leather Pants, $287, Good American
Good American’s faux-leather pants come in a size range of 00 to 30, which means all your friends can get a pair. Style with a long trench for matching Matrix-inspired looks.
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The Melina Super High-Rise Pant, $209, Aritzia These Melina pants have gone viral plenty of times for a reason. Sometimes you just want to keep things simple, and this slick pair does that in the best way.
Viscount Tapered Leather Pants, $1,805, Joseph These may look like joggers, but they're absolutely not made for long-distance runs. They're like sweats, but so much better (and just as comfortable).
Laced Faux Leather Pants, $99.90, Zara What do you need if you’ve already invested in a pair of classic black leather pants? Try something a bit edgier, like these lace-up pants with a '00s touch.
Faux Leather Drawstring Cargo Pants, $904.08, Proenza Schouler White Label These roomy leather pants will look good with your entire wardrobe. They'll look just as great with a blazer and pumps as they would with a sweatshirt and sneakers.
Moto Leather Leggings, $2,929, The Row
Tight leggings may just leave you worried about having your own Ross Geller moment. But you don't have to fret with these by The Row (although we will admit, we're not quite sure Ross is chic enough to pull them off). Thankfully, you'll slide comfortably into them, and then probably never want to take them off.
The Leon Pant, $6,070, Khaite
Khaite's unfussy take on traditional pieces makes it a favorite brand among NYC's power dressers. These pants are an investment, but you'll have them forever.
Related article: The 20 Best Suit Sets For Heading To The Office
Emilio Faux Leather Pants, $698.35, A.L.C. If you're into something a bit more sculptural, these folded-waistband pants are different in the best kind of way.
Blue Straight-Leg Leather Pants, around $742, REMAIN Birger Christensen
Sometimes you just have to go bold, especially if you're planning to hit a dark dance floor somewhere. And if you want your outfit to set you apart, we guarantee no one else on the dance floor will be wearing a pair of leather pants in this bright blue hue.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.