The leather vogue

One of the hottest trends of F/W ’19 is leather, notably the iconic black leather which has taken over the runways for fall by storm; with incredible couture by brands such as Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chanel and more, leather can truly be claimed to be in the air. With the gloss, the shine, the grunge and the glam — this trend is bold. A careful execution is all you need to impeccably style leather.

To familiarise ourselves with the fashion itself, leather is definitely not a new concept. It’s a seasonal trend that comes and goes once every few years, ensuring sustainability. An exception to that are leather bags which are usually available all year round; a cameo by leather jackets is noticed every winter as well, regardless of the on-going trends. The reason being that they look classy, always.

The trend for this year is not restricted to the basic; it focuses on a wider range of leather-made items. From clutches to shoes and shirts to skirts, the mantra is to incorporate leather in every aspect of our outfits.

Of course, leather has its types. Animal-hide, commonly referred to as ‘real’ leather, is expensive, non-vegan and usually only carried by luxury brands. In the present times, most luxury houses are switching to good quality synthetic or plant-based eco-friendly leather.

A greater investment for such ensures durability and comfort. Fast fashion houses carry PVC or PU leathers which are cheap yet look quite convincing. However, they are non-bio-degradable and are not the most comfortable pieces to wear. Still, they are an affordable alternative. Especially if you want a leather-made item just for the sake of flaunting this seasonal trend, fast fashion houses can provide you with stunning choices.

Coming to all the ways you can style leather apparel, the options are numerous.

Glossy black leather goes with everything and is the easiest to style. It complements every other material, colour and design. An all-black leather head-to-toe outfit is a grunge dream come to life. You can go risqué and play with colours as well; a deep, dark tone will look amazing for fall.

A good pair of stretchy pants or a cute tank top will complement any western piece well. Extend the leather-look with a leather jacket and off you go looking sassy! With a keen eye, you can find some unique pieces that will signify the trend even more.

A full leather suit is as high fashion as it can get. Whereas, a stunning leather dress looks sultry and is perfect for dates or parties.

Boots and heels with leather as the prime material look stylish. For a touch of the trend, hair-bands, berets and belts can be wonderful options. These are all versatile and can be worn with both classic as well as dressy outfits. Even with traditional-wears, a hint of leather through shoes and belts is the new trend-setting look of the new year.

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed