Faux leather leggings have been fashionable for a few years now and we keep buying them, so they will stay trendy for a good while yet! But if it’s a new fashion idea for you, or you’re still not sure if you’re the right size, shape or age to look great in them, you need to read this guide! Anyone can wear faux leather leggings successfully, you just have to wear them with the right accessories to suit your age and shape. We love the comfort and style of leggings made of elasticated fabric for everyday wear and faux leather leggings are just as comfy, but look more dressy and trendy!
First of all, there are plenty of plus-size faux leather leggings on offer and one of the most popular ranges is the Spanx brand. However, they are the most expensive, but you can buy good quality, plus-size, tall- and petite-sized, faux leather leggings from a wide range of retailers on- and off-line. Women who wear faux leather leggings are split between those who prefer to have their bottom covered and those who still wear cropped tops in colder weather. So I’ve chosen a range of looks that are suitable for all wearers to look great and feel comfortable in their leather leggings.
What to wear with Faux Leather Leggings
Ponchos
Ponchos are a trendy new alternative to jackets or cardigans when you leave the house and they are so cozy, because they trap your body heat and cover your bottom. A casual autumn/winter or spring ensemble could be a long-sleeved shirt, with a poncho and flat-soled long boots.
Dresses
High-waisted dresses & short sweater-dresses make a chic look, especially if you wear ankle boots or plain black sneakers.
Long shirts
Long shirts are great with faux leather leggings, wear matte fabrics for daywear and silky, feminine shirts for evenings.
Oversized sweaters
Now that high-waisted pants are back in fashion, oversized sweaters are back, too. So oversized sweaters are a good investment and look urban and edgy with faux leather leggings.
Long Cardigans
A loose, long, open cardi looks nicely streamlined over leather leggings and a tank-top, creating a sporty look if you wear with sporty-style leather leggings from Spanx and other brands.
Tunics and Knit Tunic Sweaters
Tunics, especially those with an asymmetrical or flared hem, make a great look with faux leather leggings. A solid color will look eye-catching or a print with a touch of black in the mix will complement black leather pants.
Blazers
Slim-fit, untucked T-shirts, under a blazer look elegant with leather leggings and are a chic alternative from jeans and an informal jacket. Try to get a wider shape on top that tapers in to your slim-fit leggings for a slimming layered shape.
Can you wear faux leather leggings for work?
If you keep the look semi-formal and minimalist you should be fine wearing faux leather leggings in an office or other workplace. Consider a boxy, checked, ‘boyfriend’ blazer that covers the bottom and wear a fine-knit, short-sleeve sweater that comes down well-past the waist. Add a fashionable pendant neck-lace. This outfit looks super with low-heel, black loafers for a professional look.
Working from home styles
If you work from home, but have regular Zoom meetings with your boss and senior colleagues, you have to balance your relaxed vibe with faux leather leggings professionalism. In the past, flannel shirts in plaid patterns and denim shirts were popular tops to wear with your plus-size, faux leather leggings. But you need to update that style with a warm, chunky-knit cardigan that reaches down to your hips or thighs, so you are covered up, but with a fashionable, contemporary look.
And as you’re at home, you can wear large, oversized T-shirts with logos – as long as they are not going to offend anyone during your Zoom meetings! Choose white T-shirts with black text, to harmonize with black leather leggings and the black touches in your super, leopard-skin loafers/sneakers! Look out for simple, gold, safety-pin earrings for ultra-trendy punk edge.
Subtle extra details for an individual look
Ankle boots and a sweater are a classic way to wear faux leather leggings in winter, so try to add individual style by choosing more interesting versions. For example, sweaters with a turtleneck or an asymmetric neck flap collar will vary the look. And well-worn earrings can be swapped for trendy, small mismatched earrings, ear-cuffs or minimalist gold crawler earrings. Ankle boots in a snake print that features plenty of black will complement your leather pants, too. These tricks will make your ensemble stand-out from the conventional looks.
Tunics & dresses for plus-size faux leather leggings
Leggings are available in sizes for tall and petite and in sizes up to 3 XL. And as they have a close-fitting look, they can be flattering for plus-sizes when worn with long tunics and/or short, flowing dresses with a high waist. High waist mini-dresses cover up a noticeable tummy perfectly and accentuate an ample bust, so you get the slimming silhouette of a wider top tapering down to a narrower look below. To make your legs look longer, wear flat shoes with a pointy toe to keep the look elegant. And don’t forget to add some contemporary earrings for an extra fashionable touch.
Blouses for plus-size styling
Textured faux leather leggings are also available in sizes up to 3 XL from Spanx and other brands and this adds loads of extra interest. Plus-size wearers can create the wide top tapered down to skinny leggings look with a blouse made with thin, light-weight fabric. It should be loose enough to float when your move around or a gust of air catches it. And a simple pendant necklace will emphasize the romantic blouse style. Balance the femininity of this styling with popular combat-boots that give an edgy vibe.
Looking good in faux leather leggings for the over 40, 50 & 60’s
If you feel like wearing faux leather leggings, you’re young enough! You will look chic and modern if you follow these guidelines on what to wear with your trendy leathery pants:-
- Blazer over a long top or sweater for a layered look
- Match with elegant classic tops to create a balanced fashion look
- Colors can be neutral or bright depending what suits your natural coloring
- Trendy oversized sweaters are a new fashion for this season
- Downplay jewelry as faux leather looks chic with a minimalist look
- Long ‘sloppy Joe’ cardigans and cascade sweaters
- Ponchos
- Slim-cut shirts or silky blouses for evening wear
- Tops that are flowy for a broader silhouette on top tapering in to your narrow leggings below
- Tops that cover your tummy and bottom
- Simple, tunic dresses
- If you have wide hips wear tops with pattern or decoration at the neckline to draw attention upwards
- Match your footwear color to your leggings to make your legs look longer
- Opt for fashionable and comfortable flat ankle bootees
- Pea-coats and long trench-coats look great with leather leggings
What not to wear with faux leather leggings if you are over 40
- Biker-type accessories like buckled boots, studs etc.
- See-through tops
- All black outfits
- Cropped, waist-length or shorter, tops
- Stiletto heels
- Knee-length boots with high heels
- Tight stretchy tops
- Sexy low-necked tops
- Too much blingy jewelry
Are faux leather leggings better than real leather?
Most women who have worn real leather in the past, before leather-like fabric was invented, agree faux leather leggings are better than real leather, because they are lighter in weight and stretchier. And that makes them more comfortable to wear. Real leather stretches out, but it doesn’t stretch back, so real leather leggings often develop baggy, knees and bottoms from when you bend whilst sitting down.
So if you buy real leather leggings, you need to buy them with a very close fit, as they will stretch from the first time you wear them. And apart from comfort, great look and shape-keeping, the latest faux leather garments are such a huge success, because they cost a fraction of the price of real leather. Faux leather is usually made using polyurethane as a fabric-coating that creates a polished, shiny texture, and it’s a lot cheaper and easier to clean than real leather. So if you care about animals, or just care about how much cash you spend, and looking great for longer, we recommend fabulous, faux leather leggings!
