Wearing leather is still very popular.
Many women over 40 find leather challenging though, as it can seem like a too-young or edgy look. However, there are lots of ways to wear leather and be very chic indeed.
Let’s look at some ways to wear leather with style over 40.
How to wear leather over 40
There are many ways to wear leather over 40 and you don’t always have to go all-out leather.
Let’ s have a look at ways that leather can enhance your style.
#1 Add leather to make your look a bit edgier
If you’re like me and you don’t want your look to be too girly, leather can be a great way to add a bit of an edge. A bold leather belt or a little skirt can make a statement.
#2 Add leather to make your look more interesting
Playing with different textures in your outfit can make it look more interesting and create interesting contrasts. For example you could wear a silk shirt with a leather skirt or combine it with cotton or denim
#3 Add a bit of luxury to your look with leather
A good leather bag or shoes can enhance any outfits. I prefer to choose leather for both shoes and bags as leather items will last you for your years!
The different ways to wear leather over 40
Leather elements
It is very easy to wear leather if you wear it in moderation.
The easiest way to achieve this, is to select garments that have elements of leather in them, like leather rims. The Micheal kors skirt and jacket is a great example.
If you like to emphasise the leather more, you could pair it with leather gloves or even leather jewelry. There are lots of garments on the market now incorporating some leather elements like cardigan and jacket above.
You may also like our article on how to wear gloves
Leather skirts
The second easiest option is to go for a leather skirt.
These will look good with the popular oversized jumpers right now or just a plain button front shirt.
This season you can wear both the pencil skirts and a-line variations. Both of these look very hip with tight fitting ankle booties but will also look great with high boots. You can make them as chic or edgy as you like.
Leather jackets
A leather jacket is a great basic in a fall and winter wardrobe. Great to wear both in and outdoors.
You can dress them up or down and pair them with jeans or a nice soft pencil skirt for great contrast.
Leather tops
Leather tops create a more edgy look. They look great with fitted pants, 7/8 pants and a-line skirts. Choose in a color that suits you and pair with softer materials to create a chic, edgy and balanced look. Or wear them under a blazer!
Leather pants
I prefer leather pants for women over 40, when they are worn with longer tops.
I also love the new more relaxed style pants. They would look great with oversized knitted jumpers for a casual chic look.
I would balance your leather pants with a softer and lighter fabric on top.
Want more, go for leather overalls!
The leather dress
Long Sleeve Leather Shirtdress
The leather dress may be the most challenging to pull off over 40. I believe that the key is to select a classic or drapey style that fits your body type. Ideally the dress will come all the way to your knees. I also think that a different color than black may make the look a bit softer and more appropriate for most women over 40.
Leather accessories
Adding leather with accessories is of course the easiest option of all.
Combine you outfit with the latest hip shoes, a statement belt or a fabulous leather bag!
Previous 40+ Style interviewees show you how it’s done!
Here are some great examples of previous style interviewees:
- Lissy (also showing her leather pants),
- Ann, Beverly (showing a version with a brown leather jacket as well) and
- Lisa rocking the leather look.
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Do you like to wear leather? Which is your favorite look?
Feature Image: @queenss_style_
Other photos by Denton Taylor
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post Sylvia. I think leather can be chic and ladylike. I love the Jil Sander leather dress and the Michael Kors leather accents.
Thanks. You wear it so well. I have been wanting to add some leather to my wardrobe for a while now but cant’ find the perfect skirt…
Thanks for including one of my pictures. I just did a post today with a new leather and tweed purchase. I think leather can look so great on the 40+ crowd if the fit isn’t too tight. I’m liking all the jackets with a mixture of fabric and leather this season. I’ve been trying on the fuller leather skirts, haven’t found the right fit yet. I find coated jeans a good alternative to leather pants, more give and not so much worry about stretching out. Great post!
blue hue wonderland
Beautiful Ann. I pinned it right onto my how to wear leather pinterest board. I’m loving all those textured and combined jackets too. But alas, just no opportunities to wear that in Singapore….
I saw your Pins of leather and was waiting in excited anticipation for this article!
I have leather jackets , two pencil skirts in black and deep purple. I also just got coated jeans that have a leather look and feel. I am really looking forward to wearing the skirts with chunky sweaters or jumpers as you call them. Wearing the jackets with dresses or skirts is my favorite look, adding booties amps the happiness factor even more.
I have my eye on a fuller leather skirt , so we will see if I add that in for Christmas.
Haha you start knowing me too well and know how I work. Thanks for reminding me though as I totally forgot to link to the board in this post!
Shoes and handbags only for me. Any more leather than that and it feels too much like I’m wearing the animal.
Shoes and handbags can make an outfit so that should be no problem!
I agree with Rita. I have a (nice but very dated 80’s) leather jacket that I wouldn’t mind updating for fall outerwear, but a leather skirt makes me sweat just thinking about it. A boot is as much leather as you’ll see on me and even then only low ones. Anything more makes me hot!
I have purchased a couple leather items for fall that I am excited to wear. I am really liking all the leather trim items which is perfect for hotter weather places but still want to feel fall/winter. I would love to purchase a pair of faux leather pants but would not get much wear out of them.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I look forward to seeing your creations Alice!
Great post. You have inspired me. I would love to buy some leather trousers as I think that outfit of Veronique Branquinino is So Nice. And so chic.
And I also agree on your Calvin Klein’ choice with the green skirt and beautiful jacket. Pity I already spent too much..
Perhaps get some faux leather ones like Annete’s? I agree it is a fabulous outfit!
Just recently presented my new olive faux leather trousers on the blog in a “dressed up” style.
I think there are so many versions of wearing leather at any age.
Annette | Lady of Style
Wow. I love your outfit with the faux leather trousers. Pinned it to my leather board!
I loved those trousers Annette. They were just the right fit and looked classy.
I just love Jill Sander’s black leather dress. I think a woman of any age could wear that – provided she is very slim 🙂 I also love the black a-line leather skirt – just gorgeous – would look great with a silky off-white blouse. I remember having a white, straight, knee-length leather skirt when I was 20 🙂 I used to think I was the bees-knees in that!!!
This post is timely! I just got back from the shops wearing my black leather zip up jacket that is 15-20 years old! It’s a classic style and has a detachable fake fur collar.
Last winter I wanted to try a leather skirt but was unwilling to invest until I had decided whether it suited me so I bought a faux leather pencil skirt and I am so happy with it I am not going to bother about upgrading it to real leather. It’s similar to the middle one second row . I also have a brown leather jacket very similar to third row right that is 18 months old. In my 20s I had 2 pairs of suede trousers that I loved but I am not sure I am going to embrace leather/faux leather trousers unless I can find a pair as nice as Annette’s.
Sounds great Lorraine. No need to upgrade to real leather if the faux one looks and feels just as good. Not easy to tell the difference these days!
Great post and very informative. I agree about wearing a leather dress, it is the most difficult for women over 40 to pull off. I am intrigued by the suggestion to wear leather trousers with longer top and will surly try it myself. Thank you, Sara
lifestyleover40.com
Hi, I love leather leggings with a hip length sheer ivory shirt, I am a youg 51 refusing to hang up the high heels. But my look is always classy.w2
Thank you Sylvia! That leather jacket has given me such pleasure – it’s a service you do encouraging others to give this a try!
I can imagine Lisa. You look fabulous in it!