We can’t get enough of leather and we want don’t think there’s anything wrong with wearing leather all year long. Don’t put your leather leggings, leather culottes, and leather dresses away when the weather turns a little too warm or a little too cold because there are ways you can make the trend work. What shoes to wear with leather leggings, though?
We shouldn’t talk about fashion like there’s a right or a wrong way to style something you really, really like. But, there’s always a but when we’re talking about shoes because shoes can make or break the entire vibe you’re going for.
Wear a winter coat with slides and everyone’s going to think you lost your marbles. Wear strappy stiletto sandals with leather leggings to work and everyone’s going to comment on the fact that’s not something that’s appropriate work wear (rightly so).
Leather leggings are a great wardrobe staple, but you need to style them the right way for them to work for different occasions. We can’t even talk about fall fashion without mentioning cashmere knits, oversized coats, and leather leggings.
Leather pants and skirts offer a luxurious bottom option for both colder and warmer weather, depending on what you wear with them. We’re, for example, talking about styling leather pants with chunky sneakers and a white tee for an easy-going Sunday brunch look.
Or, wear them with contrasting ankle booties, a structured button-up, and an earth-toned trench coat for the office. Whatever style you decide to go with, always remember to make balance your best friend.
Not to mention that most fall/winter runway shows focused on simplicity with models sporting leather pants with turtlenecks and clean-cut, structured blazers. Worry not, we’re bringing you a rundown on what shoes to wear with leather leggings.
How to style leather leggings the right way?
Goes without saying, but take the right way title lightly. When we’re talking about the right way of styling something, we’re talking about tips and tricks that are meant to help you look more fashionable, put-together, and cohesive.
Other than that, you’re free to work with your signature style and wear whatever speaks to you. With that out of the way, how do you style leather leggings? First off, choose the right style for you.
When you decide on the perfect leather leggings for you, spend some time thinking about the shade you can work with the most. Maybe you gravitate towards darker outfits with black being the color that’s prevalent when you throw a glance at your closet.
Perhaps you prefer earthy tones, beiges, and nudes. Or, you’re a sucker for a pop of color. Whatever the case may be, make sure you go with leather leggings you can wear with whatever you already own.
Other than that, combine your leather leggings depending on the occasion, the weather, and your preference. For the most part, leather leggings work great with white button-ups, white and graphic tees, and structured tops for warmer weather.
And, as for the colder weather, you can’t go wrong with chunky cardigans, cashmere sweaters, oversized blazers and coats, and layers. And, don’t forget to choose the right shoes.
What shoes to wear with leather leggings?
When deciding on the appropriate footwear, looking at the latest runway shows might not be the best thought. While you’re sure to catch a glimpse of the latest trends, some of the shoes they wear on the runway aren’t realistic streetwear, workwear, or any other wear.
Therefore, when you’re wondering what shoes to wear with leather leggings, always start with what’s proper for the occasion, the weather, and the style you’re going with.
Leather leggings work great with most styles of shoes and we’ve prepared some of our favorite picks for every season. Take a peep and decide what works best for you.
1. Strappy stiletto sandals
Leather clothes have made a comeback after decades of silence. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid have taken the memo and haven’t stopped sporting leather blazers, cashmere turtlenecks, and denim as seen on the 90s supermodels.
Fashion trends have been known to resurface now and then, and leather’s definitely having a moment right now. Other than the Hadid sister, Hailey Bieber and Zandaya have been styling leather pants for different events.
One thing we gathered from those events – leather pants go great with strappy stiletto sandals. While they’re not your everyday wear, strappy stiletto sandals and leather leggings are bound to turn heads and make headlines.
Black leggings and black stilettos are a timeless classic, but chocolate ones combined with (your) nude strappy sandals pack as much heat. P.S. Mark Fisher Dalida strappy sandals are our personal favorite when you want to treat yourself but still don’t want to break the bank.
So, when you’re looking for something to wear on a Friday night out with your girlfriends or a hot, hot date, don’t shy away from making things steamy with leather leggings and strappy stilettos. We suggest you opt for the same color palette to make your legs look longer.
2. Pointy-toe pumps
Once more, we can’t overlook the fact that fashion runway shows shouldn’t be what you turn to when you’re wondering what shoes to wear with leather leggings.
While we adore getting our season-to-season dose of fashion from Bottega Veneta, Ralph Lauren, and Alexander McQueen, we’re obsessed with the way our favorite fashion babes style leather when they’re out and about.
Street style’s the best way for you to understand different ways of combining fabrics, patterns, and embellishments with leather. And, when everything doesn’t go as planned, you can always do what Chloe did on the runways and style leather with leather (and even more leather!).
With that out of the way, one of the simplest, classiest ways to style leather leggings appears to be to wear them with pointy-toe pumps. What other shoe can make you look like you know exactly what you’re doing?
And, to make matters even better, pointy-toe pumps are a great way to dress up something as simple as leather leggings and a white tee.
Throw a blazer or a trench coat over, and you’re ready for the office. We suggest you go for black on black (Nine West Ezra pointy-toe pumps are a nice option). But, you can’t go wrong with nudes or patterns when you stick with a similar color palette on top.
3. Suede booties with earth-toned leather leggings
Now we’re getting somewhere! Whenever we think of leather ensembles like the ones our favorite supermodels wear on a regular, we think of black leather.
Black leather can bring an edge to an outfit, that’s for sure. But, black leather doesn’t work for every occasion, weather, or even everyone’s style.
When you prefer wearing lighter colors, flowy fabrics, and floral patterns, you’re better off opting for brown, nude, and ecru leather leggings. Contrary to what we’ve been taught to consider fashionable and modern, you can wear earth tones and whites all year round.
Wear nude leather leggings with strappy sandals and a silky, slip blouse for summer. Combine brown leather leggings with cream suede booties and a cashmere sweater for winter.
Throw an earth-toned coat on, add a couple of accessories and a leather handbag, and you’re good to go (wherever you’re going).
While you can probably combine lighter leather leggings with black booties without drawing the eye to the bottom of your silhouette, you’re better off sticking with a similar color palette when we’re talking about your clothes, shoes, and accessories.
That’s pretty much a cheat code to always look put together.
4. Contrasting ankle booties with black leather leggings
Lighter colors don’t pop when you combine them with darker accessories and shoes, that’s a fact. But, when you have a balanced, monochromatic look on top, you can get away with contrasting, patterned booties on the bottom.
Truth be told, black leather leggings look 100% better when combined with a statement style of shoe (metallic strappy sandals, chunky sneakers, or patterned booties).
Here’s how to do that, though. For appropriate workwear, wear black leather leggings with a white button-up and an oversized cream coat (or trench coat, depending on the weather).
A contrasting, patterned pair of booties should elevate the outfit and make you look like you know what you’re doing. Because you’re wearing a classic combination with earth-toned, neutral shades dominating the outfit, there’s nothing stopping you from trying out some of the latest trends on the bottom.
And, snakeskin happens to be the pattern of fall fashion. Shutz Maryana snakeskin booties fit the role to a tee (and you can find them on Amazon). Zara, Mango, and H&M have affordable alternatives, too.
5. Matching shade leather booties for a monochromatic ensemble
Hailey Bieber mastered the monochromatic look and we’re more than happy to do whatever she’s doing. As long as we get to look as timeless, effortless, and stunning.
We’re, of course, talking about the brown, glazed donut, delicious looks she’s been serving for the past couple of months. And, as you might have guessed, some of those looks featured leather accents that would work great for what you’re going for.
When you’re wondering what shoes to wear with leather leggings for a monochromatic ensemble, always go for leather booties that match the shade of the leggings.
Black leather leggings with black leather booties are bound to make you look taller (always a plus) and offer you a clean canvas to build the rest of the outfit whichever way you want.
Of course, the same rules apply when you’re wearing brown, nude, or other colors. On the off chance that you’re not happy with your “one color to rule them all” vibe, add a couple of statement accessories.
Hailey Bieber loves to spice things up with Balenciaga Cagole boots and an Hourglass handbag. But, you don’t have to break the bank to achieve the same effect.
Thrift shops often carry name brands for cheap, and stores such as Zara, Mango, and H&M offer “dupes” for a fraction of the price.
6. Combat boots for an additional edge
Combat boots are one of those shoes you have to have, without a doubt. We can assure you, you can’t wear combat boots and leather leggings and not turn heads wherever you go.
When you’re not a fan of strutting around wearing stilettos and high-heeled boots, you can always wear combat boots and take on the world without sacrificing a foot or a toe.
Combat boots are a cool girl staple, and you’re about to understand why. First things first, you can wear combat boots with tailored trousers, dresses, and skirts to make them appear more modern, fashionable, and on-trend.
Then, you can wear them with patchwork denim and blazers to balance out the work wear and weekend wear vibes. And, you can wear them with leather leggings to preserve the edge (and comfort) without drowning the rest of your outfit.
Everything we’ve mentioned when we talked about wearing leather booties with leather pants applies to combat boots, too. When you stick with the same (or similar) color palette, you create looks you can wear to the office, a night out, or a weekend getaway.
Combat boots are a style of shoe you can’t go wrong with. Whether you go for Doc Martens or a designer combat boot, remember you can dress them up with a cashmere sweater and a structured coat or dress them down with an oversized hoodie and a puffer coat.
7. Chunky sneakers
Chunky sneakers are a great way to dress your leather leggings down. Maybe you’re grabbing a Starbucks on your way to the nearest Target.
Perhaps you’re running errands and catching up with one of your girlfriends. Whatever the “casual” occasion might be, leather leggings work wonders when combined with chunky sneakers.
Now, there are a couple of things you can do for the rest of the outfit. First off, you can stick with the sporty style and wear a hoodie, a cream trench coat, and a beanie.
And, for warmer weather, you can wear a white tee or a graphic tee combined with accessories that work with the sporty style. On the other hand, chunky sneakers and leather leggings would work with a cashmere sweater, a coat, and a leather handbag for that supermodel streetwear moment.
One of the only things you need to keep an eye on when wearing chunky sneakers with leather leggings (and not wider leather pants) seems to be the balance of proportions.
Chunky sneakers are quite… Chunky. And, you can balance out the proportions by keeping your tees, tops, and coats larger and chunkier, too.
8. Knee-high boots
Leather leggings are a dream come true when you’re planning on wearing them with knee-high boots. Knee-high and thigh-high boots can become annoying when you’re trying to wear them with tailored trousers, flared denim trousers, or other styles that aren’t figure-hugging.
Leather leggings combined with leather boots look smooth when you know what you’re doing. Go for a contrasting pattern when you’re trying to make a statement, but go for a matching shade when you’re looking for something flattering on your figure.
Whether you prefer the 90s knee-high boots, supermodel (a.k.a. Emily Ratajkowski) thigh highs, or fashion-forward Wellies – “you’re doing amazing, sweety!”
We adore the way Steve Madden’s leather knee-high boots complement the leather leggings. But, we can’t get over Vince Camuto’s suede knee-high boots, either.
9. Loafers
We can’t forget about our favorite fall fashion trend – chunky loafers. We know we’ve probably talked your ears off with Hailey Bieber’s street style, but she seems to know her way around styling leather pants, dresses, and accessories.
And, we’re always looking for a celebrity to use as an example of what you should or shouldn’t wear.
Back to loafers, you can’t go wrong with styling them whichever way you want. Chunky loafers combined with knitted socks and sheer, black tights have a way of making you think you’re on the cover of Vogue.
And, when you combine them with leather leggings, you can get away with wearing them to work even when you’re supposed to wear stilettos and pumps.
10. Ballet flats
We’re ending the checklist with ballet flats, the shoe that celebrities love to wear but other people love to hate. Ballet flats have been around for decades, and they’ve gone through a rollercoaster of ups and downs when we’re talking about trends.
But, ballet flats are one of the best ways to look elegant and effortless without going for high-heeled footwear. And, we can’t forget about the fact that ballet flats have the power to soften your outfits and make you appear younger (given that you’re going for the younger look).
Tory Burch makes some of the most beautiful ballet flats ever, but you can always find affordable ones on Zara, Mango, and H&M.
Read more: What Shoes To Wear With Joggers? 10 Fashion-Forward Tips
