The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Get the look... leather
LEATHER has a bit of a stuffy reputation; it tends to bring to mind uncomfortable school shoes, or unyielding trousers that make you sweat.
This season, however, leather has been given a much-needed revamp and it’s all about bringing a bit of life and colour into your look.
Whether it was bright red coats at Coach, or green skirts at Givenchy, one thing was clear from the spring/summer 2020 catwalks: the leather look is in, but only if it’s colourful. Louis Vuitton, Prada and Coach were just some of the other major fashion brands dabbling in rainbow leather looks.
In recent years, making clothes out of animal products has become a hot button topic in the fashion industry. Big brands like Gucci and Burberry have stopped using fur, and while leather is still used by most major houses, there certainly has been a lot more experimentation with fake alternatives, both in high fashion and on the high street.
The trend for coloured leather is also sweeping social media. In fact, over the past year, Pinterest has seen a 40% increase in searches of how to introduce colour into clothing, which includes playing around with materials like leather. Even if you’re only getting dressed up for yourself, you’ll be amazed how a bright hue can boost your mood, compared to dressing in plain, neutral tones.
And the great thing about this trend is how versatile it is.
To be really fashionable, take inspiration from the Duchess of Sussex, right. and choose one colour for your whole outfit. Last year, she stepped out in a burgundy Hugo Boss skirt with a berry coloured jumper and shoes.
When colour blocking, you don’t need to make sure everything is exactly the same shade – play around within the same palette, and mix leather-look items with other materials and textures, like wool.
In terms of colour, really anything goes. To lean into a spring vibe, opt for gentle pastels in lemons or pinks, or to vamp it up, wear fire-engine red. Pick whatever colour you like.