Colorful Leather Is the Trend on Everyone's Minds—7 Ways to Get in on It

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(Image credit: @emiliamuss@shhtephs@annawinck)

Sorry to break it to you, but it's going to get a lot less sunny from here on out. Since we're inching closer and closer to the dark, dreary winter months, you might as well make up for it with your clothes. Enter colorful leather. From vibrant shades of citrusy orange to beautiful hues that resemble fresh garden greens, saturated shades of leather (real or faux) are gaining serious momentum. It's not for the faint of heart, of course, as a pair of magenta patent leather pants is sure to get people's attention. 

As expected, Scandi brands have been all over the emerging trend with labels like Rotate by Birger Christensen and Hosbjerg releasing two-piece colored sets that have swiftly taken over social media. Other pieces like Simon Miller's patent pants are also a hot commodity, with more designer names swiftly catching up with their takes on colorful leather. It's surprisingly simple to pull off once you figure out how to balance out their vibrancy, but if you're still hesitant, don't worry—I've got plenty of examples below.

Give your black leather pants a rest and embrace the vibrant side. We'll guarantee you'll receive all the compliments.

1. Strong Colorblocking

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Just like how mixing neutrals never fails, neither does throwing together a palette of strong colors. The key is to keep all of your colors on the extreme side so there's a common thread. Just take this bold coordination of purple and orange. It sounds off the wall in theory yet somehow works IRL.

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2. Print Clashing

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Red leather is already loud, so you might as well go all the way. Adding in opposing prints amps up your colored leather piece in an artistic way. Pro tip: Remember to keep the prints within the same color family.

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3. Throw in a Simple Tank

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(Image credit: @aude_julie)

If the above approaches scare you, adding in a simple white tank will never steer you wrong. It's a beloved basic for a reason, and with colorful leather pants, it makes the outfit a little more digestible for the eyes.

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4. Try a Matching Set

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(Image credit: @annawinck)

Matching sets always have a way of capturing the hearts of the style savvy, and in this case, the colorful leather set currently reigns supreme. It's the easy antidote for not knowing what to wear for fun nights out or special occasions. The biggest plus? It looks like you put in way more effort than you did.

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5. Opt for a Vibrant Blazer

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(Image credit: @shhtephs)

For those too afraid to dive head-first into the trend, a colorful blazer is your best bet. It takes minimal brainpower to style it, and a blazer is always a winner on the topic of low cost per wear. Wear it with jeans or try it with an all-black outfit as seen here.

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6. Amp It Up With Patent Leather

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(Image credit: @emiliamuss)

On the flip side, for those who like to stand out, look no further than patent leather. I have yet to try Simon Miller's famous pants, but if Instagram is any indication they're worth every penny.

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7. Try A Deeper Tone

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(Image credit: @emmaasnilsson)

In the end, if you're not a lipstick-red or neon-green type of person, a deeper color still carries a lot of impact with a little less drama. Leather always has a way of making its wearer look opulent, so you'll win either way.

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Shop More Vibrant Leather Pieces

Next: 9 Cult Fashion Items You'll Always Catch Our Editors Wearing

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.