Leather:
The Evergreen Fabric
Leather, a staple piece for any wardrobe and an easy way to make any outfit feel effortlessly chic.
It is often stated that the start of fall is the universal commencement of the holiday season. Individuals sift through their attic and pull out old garland and Christmas lights to put up directly following the plastic jack-o’-lanterns which will sit on the porch for less than a month. At the same time, fashion fanatics rummage through their own clutter pulling out their approaching holiday staple: leather clothing.
Since the early 20th century, leather has enthralled the rebellious and creative minds. James Dean and Elvis Presley used their leather wardrobe to convey their defiant nature in the 1950s, while style icons Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss redefined leather pieces as a wardrobe basic. In 2024, leather is now seen as a core element of basic style.
Here at the University of Oklahoma, students tie their fall wardrobes together with the simple solution of a pair of leather pants, or the addition of a leather jacket. Simple t-shirts and tank tops are now elevated merely through the inclusion of a leather accessory. One of the most prevalent occasions where leather is featured is during the OU football season. gold emblems hang onto a denim dress. It is not an overstatement to say that this gem of timeless chicness is certainly not a fad, and most definitely not a trend.
No fall season would ever approach without some sort of tribute being paid to this multifaceted fabric.
In September 2023, Vogue described the investment in this timeless epidemic to be well-worth it, stating that it “lasts decades in your wardrobe and not just seasons,” and also effectively “makes any look cool.”
But who is to say this notion of only pulling out our most beloved pieces of leather clothing for a select few months had to be a global principle? In fact, in this past’s Milan Fashion Week, designers took the idea of leather and converted it to a multi-seasonal concept.
Versace confirmed it was acceptable to keep your brown leather shorts and jackets on the forefront of your closet during their Spring and Summer 2025 collection show. Jill Sanders took leather and introduced it to the color pallet of spring, creating a collection filled with pastel leather blouses and incorporating leather elements into a breezy aesthetic. Marni’s collection exemplified the sophistication of how much a bold leather piece can be the key factor to the trickiness of creating a standout spring look.
But this revitalized style is not something which has to stay on the runway, retailers such as J.Crew and ASOS, have made their mark in this transitional leather theme. They have incorporated the use of creme and light colored leathers styled with flowy shirts.
So, as the days get shorter and the chance to don your leather clothing is near, remember to make that once, temporary, hole for leather in the front permanent.
Written by
Emma Rowland