If you're in need of some outfit ideas, it's time to consider the leather skirt. I know spring is not typically the season which, ahem, springs to mind when considering this particular item but, in reality, it's the perfect piece to take you into the new season. A year-round staple, leather skirts will always look chic and as though you've made an effort, making them ideal for almost any occasion.
The mini skirt is still looming large in 2024, so there are lots of shorter options in leather currently available. If you're slightly disconcerted by the idea, look for styles which have an A-line shape, as they're much easier to wear (and tend to be more flattering).
Having said that, there are still plenty of longer leather skirts on offer if you can't quite bring yourself to embrace the mini. From classic black to pleated styles to sorbet shades, these midis will take you from work to the weekend with only minor adjustments required.
One of the most-Googled queries relating to leather skirts pertains to the age of the wearer. But as Penélope Cruz, 49, shows in her Chanel ensemble, they can look great at any age. To inspire you further, here are the very best leather skirt outfits fro 2024 that you can easily recreate.
Embrace The Mini
Penélope Cruz proves that not only can leather mini skirts look elegant, they're also (despite what some may suggest) ageless. At 49, Cruz looks perfect in her Chanel Pre-Fall 2024 outfit, which puts an edgy twist on the classic skirt suit. Match your own mini with a similarly boxy jacket and add softer touchers like Cruz's pretty cotton collar with a hint of sherbet yellow.
ba-sh.com
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To keep those polished vibes, look for structured, boxy jackets rather than slouchy leather styles. This one from ba&sh will prove to be incredibly hard-working – the Peter Pan collar adds a sweet touch.
www.reiss.com
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Crafted from high quality leather, this mini has pockets (bonus) and subtle seam detailing to keep it interesting. Pair with an oversized blazer or make like Cruz and add a cropped leather jacket.
camillaelphick.com
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A block heel will make this outfit feel as appropriate during the day as it will after dark. The fact that they're more comfortable than their thinner-heeled counterparts is also extremely appealing.
Make It Midi (And Add A Shirt)
Smarten up tough leather with a white cotton shirt - the perfect way to make leather office-friendly.
www2.hm.com
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H&M's cotton shirt is the perfect shape and fit to wear tucked-in to your leather midi. It has a slightly relaxed fit, so won't feel restrictive and is under £20, too.
glassworkslondon.com
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This will prove to be an incredibly versatile piece in your wardrobe. When it's hot, wear with flat sandals and cami tops but, come autumn, swap for boots and knits.
Try A Two-Piece
A matching set makes the easiest ready-made outfit. A classic pair of trainers will keep you from looking twee.
www.selfridges.com
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Tuck this into Nanushka's skirt for a very chic, tonal take on leather. Not only will that make for an excellent outfit, you can also pair the shirt with jeans for days when you want to be more casual – but still polished.
www.farfetch.com
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Nanushka's sarong-style vegan leather skirt looks and feels butter-soft. Paired with The Frankie Shop's shirt, you'll have a stylish update on workwear that could work all year round.
Pick Pastel Colours
Leather can be super sweet, too. There's a variety of sorbet shades to choose from, which will help you create outfits to take you well into summer. From mini to midi lengths, this is a softer take on the leather skirt for those who want something that feels a bit fresher than black or brown.
www.yoox.com
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Made in Italy, this skirt sits high on the waist and has an A-line shape, making for a flattering fit. Try with a white T-shirt and ballet pumps for an easy everyday outfit.
kitristudio.com
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If the idea of a mini is too daunting, Kitri's cornflower blue midi is your answer. Wear with a slouchy, half-tucked knit and trainers on days when you've run out of ideas. Swap for a tank top and heels when you want to be dressed up.
www.whistles.com
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Try this A-line mini with knee-high boots and blouses to keep it chic. The colour looks particularly good with black, so you could even just pair it with a plain black tee.
Style Out Stripes
A leather skirt doesn't always have to be a block colour, as illustrated by Kerry Washington in Chanel's stripes. Follow her lead and make your skirt the centrepiece of your outfit.
www.zara.com
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As part of its limited edition range, Zara's leather skirt is high waisted with a flared hem, making it super flattering and easy to wear. Style it with the matching top for a bold ensemble that'll make for an exciting take on wedding guest dressing.
www.motherdenim.com
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In buttery soft faux leather, this skirt will work for any occasion. Wear it with crisp shirts for work, T-shirts at the weekend and even add your favourite leather jacket to turn it into a two-piece.
Tuck In Your Tee
If you find the perfect pencil skirt, you'll find that it does most of the hard work, meaning you can afford to keep the rest of your outfit fairly low-key. Look to Jaime Winstone, who did just that, tucking her oversized Natasha Zinko tee into a black leather skirt, matched with her pink bag and pointed pumps, both from Guess. And there you have it: a fuss-free, going-out look.
www.arket.com
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Slouchy and with dropped shoulders, this is the ideal candidate to tuck-in to a leather pencil skirt.
www.cos.com
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With its silver hardware, this pencil skirt is the perfect companion for any evening out. Adjust the zip. to play with proportions – just add ankle boots or pointed pumps and your best T-shirt.
www.theoutnet.com
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If you want a smarter pencil skirt that could work for more formal occasions, too, this faux leather style with contrast stitching will do just that. Swap your tee for a neat cashmere jumper and you're work-ready in an instant.
www.guess.eu
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Add a pop of pink with Guess's shoulder bag, which has strong nostalgic Y2K vibes. Made in Italy, it's big enough for all your essentials.
Add A Ruffle
In head-to-toe Tom Ford, Zoe Saldana proves that ruffles on ruffles can work – especially when the skirt is made of leather. Her ruffled pencil has almost sold out everywhere – despite its nearly £3,000 price tag – but there are some alternatives which are, happily, still available (and more affordable).
www.stories.com
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Add a soft contrast with & Other Stories's pretty blouse. It's sheer, so layer a cami underneath for work meetings and wear over a black bralette and All Saints's ruffled mini for date night.
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
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Try this mini with ballet flats and a sheer blouse for a day-to-night look that requires little thought – but will never fail to impress.
www.whistles.com
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With its ruffle hem, this is a wearable iteration of a potentially tricky-to-wear piece. The super-high waist balances out the proportions and makes it easy to tuck in tops – from a vest top to a lightweight knit.
What top to wear with leather skirt?
The options are (almost) endless, thanks to the versatility of a leather skirt. In spring and summer months, tuck-in T-shirts, sheer blouses and lightweight knits but, come autumn/winter, try oversized jumpers and polo necks layered under crisp white shirts.
Can you wear a leather skirt at 50?
Yes! Women have long been subjected to arbitrary rules around clothes and age but I subscribe to the notion that if something makes you feel great, you should wear it. Penélope Cruz, 49, looked incredible in her Chanel leather skirt with matching jacket while Carine Roitfeld, 69, often relies on a leather pencil skirt teamed with a sheer blouse. There are plenty of styles of skirt – from mini to maxi – to suit everyone, so don't be afraid to try your own leather skirt outfit, regardless of how old you are.
How do you make a leather skirt look casual?
Team with oversized T-shirts or boxy jackets and avoid heels – instead opt for trainers or ballet pumps. Avoid tops in more expensive-looking materials like silk or satin; favour cotton and linen layers, which will also help keep you cool when it's warmer outside.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.