Shopping

How to style leather trousers like the street style set this winter

Leather trousers are the cool girl’s secret weapon.
Image may contain Clothing Footwear Shoe Person Walking Pants Accessories Bag Handbag High Heel Wallet and Coat
Vincenzo Grillo/Launchmetrics

If you’ve found yourself googling “how to style leather trousers,” congratulations! You’ve just made the best purchase of your lifetime. A good pair of faux leather trousers can shoulder some of your wardrobe’s heaviest burdens with ease. They have the same versatility as plain black trousers but the innate badassery of a classic leather jacket. As a result, these trousers have a way of making even the most difficult-to-style items feel effortless. And I’m not just saying that –it’s a mantra I personally live by.

I have every possible iteration of leather trousers in my own closet, from straight-leg styles to high-waisted and barrel-leg to cargo pants (my personal favourite) as well as a pair of long shorts that I reach for in the summer months. I love leather trousers so much, in fact, I have to actively stop myself from wearing them multiple times a week – because, let’s face it, jeans simply don’t have the same effect. I’ve worn them with button-downs, ruffled blouses, blazers, and turtlenecks. Heck, I’ve even worn mine with a sweater vest (and yes, I still looked incredibly chic).

Featured in this article

Haldan Coated Bootcut Jeans
Jump to review
Parker Oversized Blazer
Jump to review
Leopard-Print Leather Tote Bag
Jump to review

Apart from making their wearer look like an off-duty rock star, pleather trousers are also surprisingly functional. They offer extra insulation during the winter, repel water when it rains, and provide wind resistance on blustery days. It’s for this reason that I serve some of my best ensembles during thunder storms.

This is all to say: There are infinite possibilities for leather trousers outfits – the key is to unlock them. Ahead, find out how to style leather trousers, including how the fashion girlies will be wearing leather trousers this winter and beyond.

The best leather trousers styling tips, below.

Leveled Up for the Office
MILAN ITALY  FEBRUARY 26 A guest wears oversized checkered blazer brown leather pants outside Antonio Marras during the...

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 26: A guest wears oversized checkered blazer, brown leather trousers outside Antonio Marras during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025/2026 on February 26, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

Christian Vierig/Getty Images

I’ll let you in on a little industry secret: You can swap out a pair of black trousers for leather trousers and it almost always works. The only difference is that your boxy blazer and button-down will look 45% cooler (a rough estimate) in their presence.

Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Jeans, Adult, and Person

Haldan Coated Bootcut Jeans

Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Blazer, Jacket, Accessories, Bag, Handbag, Knitwear, Sweater, and Pants

Oversized Wool Blend Blazer

Chocolate Flat Front Leather Trousers

Save when you shop for the best leather trousers with these AllSaints discount codes.

With Academic Flair
PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 05 A guest wears a black bomber jacket  a white shirt a yellow quilted leather Chanel bag a pink...
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Technically, these are leather shorts, but this outfit idea was simply too good not to include. Style your leather bottoms – shorts, cropped pants, or full-length trousers – with a cardigan or sweater-vest, pearls, and loafers to give the edgy staple a preppy feel. The mix of aesthetics will give your overall look an eclectic vibe.

Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Hoodie, Knitwear, Sweater, Sweatshirt, and Leather Jacket

Orten Leather Bomber Jacket

Image may contain: Clothing, Shorts, Footwear, Sandal, Pants, Adult, and Person

Black Leather Knee Short

Use these Whistles discount codes to save on your next winter shopping spree.

With a Sporty Kick
PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 10 A guest wears blue Adidas sneakers a beige leather bag a brown leather jacket and brown leather...
Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

Like simple black pants, vegan leather trousers can adapt, chameleon-like, to any ensemble. They can go punky, academic, or sporty – and the latter can be accomplished with a bomber jacket or jersey and a pair of trendy trainers.

Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, Jacket, Hoodie, Knitwear, Sweater, Sweatshirt, and Leather Jacket

ESKA Brown Vegan Leather Oversized Biker Jacket

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, Hosiery, and Sock

adidas Originals Samba OG trainers in denim

These ASOS promo codes will help you save on the best leather trousers this winter.

With a Delicate, Gauzy Top
PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 07 A guest wears black Issey Miyake top black leather trousers silver heels yellow bag outside Issey...
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

As you’ll soon come to learn, their luxe texture is one of many reasons to love leather trousers. Play up the smooth matte finish with a gauzy top and a pair of metallic pumps. Combined, these contrasting textures make for one extremely interesting outfit.

Image may contain: Blouse, Clothing, Long Sleeve, Sleeve, Fashion, Adult, Person, Face, and Head

NATALIA Black High Neck Chiffon Blouse

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, Sneaker, Pants, and Sandal

Rosalind Shimmer Silver Leather Ballet Flats

With a Pop of Baby Pink
COPENHAGEN DENMARK  AUGUST 04 A guest wears a light pink textured coat with a pointed collar and button fastening...
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Maybe it’s the Hot Topic kid in me, but I’m currently in my baby-pink-and-black era – and I’d encourage everyone else to join me. A baby pink blouse, jacket, or handbag will add an unexpected dose of the saccharine to the edgiest bottoms in your rotation.

Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Jeans, Footwear, Shoe, Adult, and Person

Veda Kennedy Studded Leather Pant

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, High Heel, Shoe, and Sandal

Prada triangle logo slingback pumps

With Leopard Spots
PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 08 A guest wears black leather Adidas jacket black leather pants leopard print heels black bag...
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

Leopard print makes everything feel chicer, whether you’re styling it with plaid, polka dots, silk, or (you guessed it!) a pair of leather trousers. In this case, leopard booties and wide-leg pants make for the perfect night-out look. If you don’t have ankle boots in the print, a shoulder bag or other accessory works just fine.

Image may contain: Accessories, Belt, and Buckle

Oval Buckle Belt

Image may contain: Accessories, Bag, Handbag, and Purse

Leopard-Print Leather Tote Bag

Save when you shop for clothing and accessories with these & Other Stories discount codes.

With a Fair Isle Sweater
MILAN ITALY  MARCH 01 A guest wears black leather pants orange beige and burgundy sweater outside the Dolce  Gabbana...
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images

Another easy way to play with textures is by introducing your favourite cashmere knit into the mix. The combination of toughness and soft creates a juxtaposition that’s pleasing to the eye. And Fair Isle is going to be one of winter 2025’s leading fashion trends, so this winter outfit is guaranteed to be a good one.

Image may contain: Clothing, Knitwear, Sweater, and Blouse

Fairisle Knitted Jumper

Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Coat, Adult, Person, Formal Wear, Suit, and Jacket

Ash Wide Leg Leather Trousers

Save when you shop for loungewear and accessories with these Lounge discount codes.

With a Long Coat
MILAN ITALY  FEBRUARY 26 A guest wears black sunglasses silver earrings shiny black Diesel leather coat navy blue washed...
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

This combo is a Fashion Week favourite because it feels straight off the runway. Wear leather trousers with a long trench coat of the same fabrication to double down on the luxurious look. While I don’t expect anyone to be wearing a denim bralette as pictured above, a fitted tank or T-shirt works just as well. Add a pair of sunglasses to finish the overall cool-girl aesthetic.

Image may contain: Clothing, Coat, and Overcoat

Bershka Faux leather trench coat in black

With Unexpected Pops of Color
PARIS FRANCE  MARCH 07 A guest wears lime green glasses green flowershaped earrings gold necklaces bordeaux leather...
Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images

Black leather trousers are always a fail-safe option, but burgundy or brown leather trousers (or other jewel tones) can bring a bit of excitement to your wardrobe. If you do decide to go the more daring route, embrace even more different colour trends throughout your look, like a pair of neon shoes. The bolder, the better.

Image may contain: Clothing, and Pants

AGOLDE 90's Pinch Waist Leather-Blend Jeans

Use these Selfridges discount codes for money off your next winter wardrobe haul.

With a Simple T-Shirt
PARIS FRANCE  JUNE 25 A guest wears a black shortsleeved top paired with highwaisted wideleg black leather pants. The...
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

My most controversial fashion opinion is that I hate the jeans-and-a-T-shirt look. I think it’s boring and lazy. There, I said it! But when you trade jeans for leather trousers (or even leather leggings), fashion’s most-worn ’fit immediately looks intentional and stylish. Just be sure to add a few accessories, along with leather Chelsea boots, so it feels fully styled.

Image may contain: Clothing, T-Shirt, Adult, Person, and Swimwear

Skims Soft Smoothing Seamless T-Shirt

Image may contain: Clothing, Footwear, Shoe, and Sneaker

NEO-D-HYKER Leather Chelsea Boots


This article was originally published on Glamour US.