Slim leather leggings will always be a mainstay in cool girls’ stylish wardrobes, but this season, it’s all about another runway favorite—the baggy leather trouser. These low-slung, slouchy pants are more menswear-chic than their skinny rock ‘n’ roll counterparts and are becoming increasingly popular among fashion insiders and well-dressed celebs alike. We find them completely desirable too, as they offer the perfect blend of androgyny and understated sex appeal. For tips on how to wear this spring essential and to shop the season’s best styles, don’t miss today’s Trend Report.
On The Runways
At Balmain, designer Olivier Rousteing showed his version of the baggy leather trouser—a high-waisted pant with front-pleat details and a cuffed hem—which perfectly embodied the collection’s Miami-in-the-’80s theme. Paired here with the Yellow Short-Sleeved Cropped Top Embroidered with Raffia and Crystal($34800), the Wide Leather High Waisted Trousers ($5400) result in a subversive version of the power suit.
WHO: Street Style
WHAT: As seen on Stockholm Street Style
WEAR: patchwork chambray shirt; leather trousers.
WHY: Leather trousers that cuff right above the ankle are a flattering choice and perfect for showcasing a chic pair of heels.
WHO: Rihanna
WHAT: Catching a flight at LAX a couple of weeks ago.
WEAR: Mechanical Dummy Limited Edition Love Not Hate Jacket ($300); We Are Massiv No Mental Slavery T-Shirt ($28); Joseph leather trousers (click here for similar styles); Adidas sneakers.
WHY: For a sporty take on the trend, pick leather trousers that are loose throughout the leg and style them with a varsity jacket and sneakers.
WHO: Gwen Stefani
WHAT: Playing at a park in Los Angeles early last month.
WEAR: Paige Lenny Zip Jacket ($229) in Owen; Bleulab jeans from the F/W 13 collection; DITA Savoy Sunglasses ($295).
WHY: Baggy, coated leather jeans play up the street vibe of a denim jacket and wedge sneakers.
WHO: Joanna Hillman
WHAT: At a Harper’s Bazaar dinner in New York.
WEAR: The Row blazer; Vince Relaxed Leather Pants ($805) and top; Alexander Wang heels.
WHY: Contrast the baggy fit of leather trousers with a tailored jacket to create a sophisticated work-to-cocktails look.
WHO: Brooklyn Decker
WHAT: Visiting FOX and Friends in New York City last month.
WEAR: Marissa Webb Genevieve Blazer ($795); Tribune Standard top and drawstring leather pants; Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps.
WHY: Cropped, drawstring leather trousers add an air of casualness to polished pieces, like a blazer and silk blouse.
Get The Look
If you’re ready to give baggy leather trousers a shot this season, it’s important to find the right fit and level of bagginess that works for you. Styles with an elastic waistband that cuff at the ankle, like Vince’sLeather Pants ($1150) and J Brand’s Blair Leather Pants ($1095), are relatively casual, but an easy-to-wear choice for most body types. Cropped versions, such as Helmut Lang’s Cropped Trouser ($906), Alexander Wang’s Cropped Leather Combo Pants ($850), and Theory’s Kina Leather Pants ($1115), are perhaps the most versatile options too because they’re sophisticated enough for your nine-to-five wardrobe. If you’re in the market for something slouchier throughout the leg a la Rihanna, check out May Kool’s Loose PU Leather Pants ($50) or ASOS Black by Markus Lupfer’s Leather Peg Pants ($168), both of which will help you achieve that on-point, athletic-inspired look.
Image of Brooklyn Decker, courtesy of Getty Images; Image of Joanna Hillman, courtesy of Billy Farrell Agency; Image of Gwen Stefani, courtesy of Splash News; Image of Rihanna, courtesy of Fame Flynet; Balmain runway image, courtesy of Imax Tree; street style photo, courtesy of Stockholm Streety Style.