You can almost taste the summer after our recent spell of slightly warmer weather, so it’s time to start thinking about your summer wardrobe. We all know that leather is continuing to be big in 2016, and whilst you may not think hot weather equals leather, there are still plenty of awesome ways you can wear leather without worrying about passing out from heatstroke.
Last summer we all took inspiration from Gwyneth Paltrow with a lesson in how to wear leather trousers, even in LA, but now it’s time to look ahead to summer 2016 and see what delights are in store. Whether you’re jetting off to somewhere hot or having a staycation in the UK, we’ve got 5 ways to wear leather this summer that will have you looking über stylish all summer long.
The Leather Jacket
If you’re looking for that staple piece in your wardrobe then you can’t go wrong with a trusted leather jacket. Whilst the leather jacket isn’t a new fashion phenomenon for this year, it has definitely undergone some radical changes that see it move away from the grunge look to a more versatile, bright and striking style, especially for the women.
If you’re a lady who loves leather and looking for a jacket that will be fantastic thrown over almost any outfit, be it maxi-dress, a black mini or a playsuit, then bag yourself a biker-style leather jacket. This summer you can look stunning in a whole host of different colours, from bright pink through to traditional tan. There’s also more emphasis on adding different textures, so you’ll find plenty of variations on offer, including patchwork suede, quilted leather or intricately appliqued detailing and plenty of tassels to swish around in.
For the gents, it’s seems it’s still all about slim line biker style jackets that can also be found in brighter colours, different textures and detailing if you’re feeling daring. But still a trusted favourite that won’t look out of place in the summer on a cooler evening is a tan leather biker jacket with zips.
Whatever your style, you’re sure to find the perfect colour, texture and detail to keep you looking and feeling cool all summer long, and it can be worn well into the autumn/winter season too, so a good investment all round.
Classic Holdalls
Of course there is always place in your summer wardrobe for a classic accessory like a quality leather holdall to transport the rest of your summer wardrobe from A to B. It doesn’t matter if you’re heading off for a weekend or a week long holiday, styles like the Wombat Ethiraj Brown Cow Hilde Weekend Bags are bang on trend right now for men and women. Or if you’re looking for a bag with a more feminine touch that’s chic and stylish, designs like the Drift Vintage Leather Shoulder Bag or Tuscany Leather Ibiza Mini will give you bags of room and plenty of street cred.
Two-Tone Handbags
Hot off the catwalk for the summer is brightly coloured two-tone handbags. They can come in a whole host of different styles, but making sure you have at least two tones to carry under your arm will make sure you’re taking a step in the right direction for summer 2016. Crossbody bags like the DuDu Bags Ladies Small Bioko come in a wide choice of different colours to suit your tastes and outfits.
Funky Satchels
Following the same theme of brightly coloured leather for Summer 2016, you can’t go wrong with a satchel bag. For a compact day or night bag, the Dimitr Fashion Satchel in is the perfect choice. It comes in a choice of different colours and patterned designs in a vintage style, making sure you’re right on the money when it comes to accessorising, as well as standing out from the crowd.
Designs like the Coveri World Satchel offer the best of both worlds; it makes a perfect and practical work briefcase/ bag, but can easily double up as your everyday handbag too. With a number of different designs, sizes and styles you can give any outfit a funky look throughout the summer and even buy a few different colours, so you can have a satchel for every occasion.
The Finishing Touches
Finally it’s time to add the finishing touches with accessories to your summer outfits. Accessories are well-known in the fashion world for setting the tone of an outfit, so they can play a vital role in completing a look. Just as a bag, a pair of shoes or a piece of jewellery can dictate the look of an outfit, so can a belt, which is why you need to get it right. And this season, belts are big. They’ve featured heavily on the catwalks with the likes of Valentino and Louis Vuitton showcasing them in their collections, so let’s take a look at which belts you should be wearing this summer.
For the ladies, belts can be worn with a whole host of different outfits. They’re no longer limited to skirts and trousers, as you can accessories dresses, blouses and shirts in all different shapes and styles with the right belt. Whether you go for chunky wide leather belts over knitwear on a cool summer’s evening or a two-layered belt with a pretty frock, you won’t go far wrong.
For men, it’s also about making a statement and amplifying an outfit. And men’s belts aren’t just limited to formal attire either, as a stylish leather belt can enhance casual outfits too. Tan leather belts like the Wombat Rugged Range look great with chinos, jeans or even a pair of suit trousers for a laid-back smart-casual look, whereas a classic black leather belt will go well with most trousers, giving a more conservative style. However, if you want a statement belt for the summer, then colours and textures are the way to go, or maybe a standout buckle, like this one by Kenneth Brown.
Naturally you don’t’ have to incorporate all these styles at once, but most of them will work well together and the great thing with buying quality leather clothing and accessories, is that they’ll last you a lifetime if you take good care of them.
