Cooler temps brings out the leather – I mean who wants to be in leather in warm weather right? You get into Ross sweating in the leather pants scenario and no one wants to be there. So let’s jump in, can you wear leather to work?
As always, my answer is going to vary. It depends on what piece of clothing the leather is, what you pair with it, and the dress code of your office. Going through each of these a little more in depth will help you determine if you can wear leather to work.
The Article of Leather Clothing
Excluding accessories (headbands, shoes etc) the most basic articles of leather clothing are blazers, tops, skirts, dresses, pants, and leggings. Colleagues I want it to be known that pants and leggings are separate – we should all realize this and shout it from the rooftops.
Let me talk about accessories for a second – I think you can wear leather accessories at any time. Obviously shoes and belts, but even headbands, hair clips, jewelry etc. I just bought this headband and am excited to wear it this fall and winter.
What to Pair with Leather
To make leather more likely to be work appropriate pair it with conservative traditional tops or slacks. I love pairing leather with silk blouses, I think they go really well together and the hard/soft contrast is stunning. For slacks, a nice pair of wool blend pants with a leather top is a great way to get the same contrast in fabric.
In Which Dress Codes can you Wear Leather
Before I jump into this, remember that not all workplaces are just one dress code, some split two or your job within that office could dictate your dress code. Good plan is to look at your closest female supervisor and see which dress code she mostly dresses like. Always good to emulate.
Business Professional: start small with a headband and perhaps go as far as tops and skirts. Dresses (like this one!) depending on how firmly in the professional dress code your office is.
Business Casual: skirts, dresses, tops are all okay. I would still pass on pants or leggings.
Smart Casual: Add pants to the okay list, leggings are still out.
Casual: Wear any piece of leather you want!
Shop the Outfit
For me personally, my office fluctuates between business professional and business casual depending on if I’m in court or not. The most I would feel comfortable wearing is a leather skirt and only on the days where I’m not in court and I would try and pair it with a more conservative top. Exactly what I’m wearing in these photos.
