The Outdated Leather Look To Leave In The Past In 2024
Double denim? Absolutely. Double leather? Absolutely not. This appears to be the resounding sentiment in 2024, with celebrities, influencers, and everyday people alike moving away from pairing leather bottoms with leather jackets. It's clear to see why, too — the garments can seemingly become one when worn together, making each individual piece lose its charm. Plus, with leather being largely associated with bikers, you don't want to lose your personal sense of style by rocking too much leather at once if you're not one.
Now, if you're a biker whose everyday attire consists of all leather, then we're not here to dissuade you from rocking your favorite 'fit. After all, individual style is one of the biggest fashion trends to watch out for in 2024. But in general, if you were considering wearing two leather items together for your next #OOTD post, maybe choose just one for the foreseeable future.
All-leather ensembles were popular circa early 2022, and biker jackets have been generally trendy over the last several years, though they're going out of favor for more traditionally feminine options, like chic overcoats and trenchcoats. Because of this, it's important to distinguish that leather isn't generally going out of style; it's simply the pairing of multiple leather pieces together that's waning in popularity. But fret not: We've got you covered with the leather items to wear (and avoid) and how to look your best in them.
The leather items to reach for (& the biggest one to avoid)
Double leather being out of vogue doesn't mean you have to avoid all leather items. And this rings especially true if you already own leather items, as sustainability in fashion, which includes re-wearing clothes rather than consistently buying new ones, is huge in 2024. To rock leather in a trendy way while keeping your personal style intact, reach for popular leather items but wear only one at a time. We saw this on the spring 2024 runways from fashion houses like Fendi and Louis Vuitton, with double-leather looks present in smaller quantities than in past years.
This year, leather bags — especially ones big enough to double as sustainable grocery bags — are ubiquitous. And so are the ever-trendy leather belts and shoes, which, like bags, are particularly nice because they can keep you on trend year-round (unlike leather coats, which are only apt in the colder months).
On the other hand, leather leggings should be avoided at all costs (and we're not sure why they were made to begin with since they appear to take away the soft, breathable comfort of traditional pairs). But not all leather bottoms are on the chopping block. Regular leather pants are perennial favorites in the fashion world, so fear not — and definitely shake the dust off your leather trousers. Just maybe store any leather leggings you have for now. They'll surely become popular again in the future, but now is certainly not that time.
Leather colors, finishes, and fits, oh my!
This go around the sun, all eyes are on intentionality, according to the 2024 Instagram Trend Talk. This means not only avoiding pairing too many leather items together but also choosing ones that will perfectly complement your completed outfit. Inherently, leather can't be an afterthought; it can set the tone when you walk into a room, so it needs to be intentional. Luckily, there are a few key things to look for when selecting your items.
First, find the right leather color for you. While black is classic, other colors can help you hone in on your style while getting in on this material's trend. Do you have a sunny personality, for instance? Try yellow leather. Or perhaps you're quieter. Try burnt orange, which exudes soft passion — the perfect amount of attitude. Once you've selected your color, examine the leather's finish. Is it shiny or matte? Each has its ideal uses that are often opposite your other items' finishes. If your outfit is pretty matte or muted, a shinier, more reflective bag is the perfect statement piece. On the other hand, matte leather pants could let a sparkly top, purse, or shoes stand out. Finally, while oversized everything is 2024's biggest fashion trend, pay special attention to the fit of your leather. Oversized leather bags and extra-tall boots are perfectly chic, but too-baggy leather jackets or pants don't look good on anyone.
Ultimately, leather is as trendy as ever, but please only pick one leather item at a time. This time next year, you'll thank us.