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Readers, what are your thoughts on wearing leather to the office in this day and age? There are a ton of leather skirts and pants out (both faux and real) in stores right now, to say nothing of the faux leather leggings that have been in for five years or so at this point — so let's discuss.
Here's something we haven't talked about in eons: whether you can wear leather to the office. We last talked about wearing leather skirts to the office in 2011 (!), and about wearing leather jackets to work in 2020, so it's definitely been a while. And there are SO. MANY. leather and faux-leather offerings out there right now, it seems like a good time to discuss.
Some of the options from the NAS, just to focus discussion:
Pictured above (all faux leather): blazer / pants / pencil skirt / wide-leg pants / dress
(Personally, I think the pencil skirt is cute but for my 5'4 frame would be a hemming nightmare; I may have ordered the shorter pants from Vince Camuto in one of my orders, but they haven't arrived yet.)
Thoughts on Wearing Leather to the Office
Aside from shoes, belts, and bags, leather clothing still feels a little bit fringe, at least for conservative offices. I think the leather moto jacket or separate has made huge strides in recent years (I adore this TikTok from the governor of Michigan showing off all her jackets), but I would still say it's a Know Your Office situation.
The leather clothes featured above do add to the discussion, because in my mind, some of those are things you should not ever wear to work, particularly the dress and the blazer, but… know your office! (The blazer and pencil skirt actually match, so you can wear an entire faux leather suit should you want to.) The dress, worn totally unbuttoned like a jacket or topper, might be acceptable, but it would depend heavily on the styling. (I'm also not a fan of the pieced-together fabrication, but that's me.) But can we put a rule on it, or is it a “know it if you see it” kind of situation?
With regard to leather skirts, here's what I had to say about it long ago (I'm actually surprised I was so enthusiastic about leather skirts to work, but I still agree with it), and since playing with tone-on-tone textures is so huge right now, I can see leather skirts or pants looking polished in that regard.
Here’s my $.02: Leather, like animal print, can be a little wild — but also like animal print it’s a classic, and a well-fitting, quality leather skirt in a classic shape can be worn for years to come. Imagine an outfit that plays with textures — a corduroy or tweed blazer, maybe a silk top, and then suede pumps — that could be amazing for the office, and the leather skirt could be just the right touch of “rocker chic” to really elevate the outfit. I think styling is key, though — you both want to avoid looking like someone out of the 80s (say, by mixing black fishnets and huge platform heels with a leopard print top) as well as someone who is just killing time at the office until your rockstar ship comes in and you’re ushered off on your world tour. I would also say that quality is key here — if you’re going to go for a leather skirt, go for an actual leather (not pleather) that has been finished well and will stand the test of time.
Are Faux Leather Leggings Business Casual?
Readers have had a number of conversations about whether faux leather leggings are appropriate at business casual offices. I think it comes down to the Know Your Office advice, with a dose of You Wear Them Differently to Work versus Weekend. For example, I'd go with a long top for sure, and top it with one of the many long cardigans that are out right now. I'd probably also think about a flat or loafer, or a low-heeled boot or heel.
Readers, what are your thoughts? Can you wear leather to the office? Are faux leather leggings business casual?
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
Stock photo via Stencil.
Anonymous
I saw someone walking at a museum yesterday in leather shorts (very hot, humid day in NYC) and all i could think was, swamp crotch
Anon
So long as the office isn’t super conservative and the clothing is well made:
Skirts – yes
Jackets – maybe
Everything else (suit jacket, leggings, blouse, etc.) – no
Anonymous
Moto jacket, yes. Pants or blazer, no. Skirt, definitely not.
Senior Attorney
Leather in the office 4evah.
Cat
Skirt – yes
Pants – no
Top – no
Moto jacket – KYO
Blazer – unless you are Suze Orman in 2004, no
Dress – whether worn as styled or in some odd “open cardigan” look – oh H3LL no.
Sweet Sue
Exactly my list.
MagicUnicorn
One woman in my office has an ivory leather pencil skirt that looks great on her, but it is SO LOUD. She squeaks with every step and I cannot figure out how she stands to have that nose follow her all day long.
Leather moto jackets are spotted occasionally here but they always give a “forgot to take my coat off” vibe.
A well-known local industry contact has an edgy black leather mini dress that is clearly meant for a setting that is not the board room and she wears it frequently. It is memorable for all the wrong reasons. The odd bit is she otherwise dresses a lot like HRC or Merkel.
MagicUnicorn
Noise! Not nose…
Jennifer
Leather jacket: fine, but has a bit of outerwear appearance
Skirt: also fine, if its conservatively styled, for example with a cotton blouse, cashmere crewneck etc.
The rest is a big no no, except for accessories.
Anonanonanon
The very stylish circuit court of appeals judge I clerked for absolutely wore leather pants, so within reason I am pro-leather in a business casual setting.
Sweet Sue
I just wouldn’t want to. Someone mentioned the creaking noise of leather pants. I have one suede skirt that is a static electricity nightmare, so I rarely wear it. Leather jackets of any type always look like outwear and no blazer type jacket that I have tried on feels comfortable enough to wear all day while working.
And beyond all that, even in more casual workplaces, leather clothes for men or women has been frowned on – other than true outerwear.
Sheep Thrills
Had to ask an employee not to wear faux leather leggings to the office. She was furious and embarrassed. So was I – because what she didn’t know was that I’d overheard others in the office calling her a hooker.
coo coo
Leather jacket -yes. Everything else- no.