HEY, HOW DO I WEAR…
Bin-bag trousers?
1 WHY IT WORKS
This season’s leather trouser is voluminous, tailored and polished, often with pleats or a paper-bag waist. Worried you’ll look like you’ve wrapped your thighs in a tie-top Tesco bin bag? With a defined waist, heels and a mix of textures, there is zero chance you’ll end up discarded at your local tip.
2 TOTALLY WAISTED
Leathers are bulkier than jeans or standard trousers, plus they have a slightly unforgiving sheen, so tops look best tucked in. Pushing up your sleeves to show some skin will make your outfit look more pulled-together, too.
3 TEXTURE CLASH
Leather plays best against the most tactile of finishes: thick ropey knits, crisp indigo denim and fluid silks and satins. The contrast in texture breaks up the outfit, keeping you in proportion, which can be tricky in roomy pieces. A warning: leatheron-leather is best saved for the catwalk (or fancy dress).
4 GREAT LENGTHS
Tapered trousers should stop at the ankle bone, or two inches above it – leather doesn’t have the fluidity that other fabrics do, so it looks awkward pooling on the floor or over boots. Wide-leg styles can be two to three inches longer to cover a shoe.
5 SKY HIGH
A leather trouser needs added height. A flash of skin from a classic court is flattering, and your posture is more assured. Platforms are great under a wide-leg, but not so great at the end of a narrow taper due to the clunkiness of the sole.