5 Leather Pants Outfits For Every Occasion

I like to think of leather cargo pants as the perfect option for football Sunday, or any occasion where you want to look casual yet polished, keeping comfort in mind. Aritzia is known for its well-priced, quality leather pants (specifically the Melina silhouette), but the premium construction extends to this relaxed style, too. 

The Wilfred New Bridger is crafted from stretch vegan leather that’s sourced in Japan, and they’re loose, yet figure-flattering. Despite the wider leg, I still felt like these hugged my curves, so I deemed them the focal point of my outfit by tucking in a white asymmetrical shirt and opting for a simple shoulder bag to complement the red stripes on my Adidas sneakers. The darker shades in this pant — rich mocha brown and black — even work with heels and a going-out top for evening.

If you have yet to invest in leather pants, I suggest starting with a pair like this first. They’re a matte black, straight-leg style that go from day to night. Because they’re from Nanushka, you’re looking at a higher price point, but you’re promised quality and a sustainable production method. The Camma is crafted from regenerated leather and described on the site as “a true investment piece.” The pants are structured without being too rigid, and they have quite a bit of stretch throughout the leg, with the high waist being the area with the biggest “snatch” effect.

While you could easily style these pants for the evening, I wanted to showcase their versatility. By teaming them with a stretch bodysuit, trainers, and men’s shirt, they become instantly sporty, and layered necklaces and sleek sunglasses work to make the outfit feel even more considered.

If you’ve been sleeping on Abercrombie & Fitch’s denim and pant selection, you’re missing out. There’s something about this mixed fabric style that feels super edgy to me and statement-making for a night out. Tucking in an asymmetrical top and cinching the waist with a belt helped to extend the luxe look of leather from front to back. I finished with conversation-worthy lucite heeled pumps and chunkier gold jewelry to play up the hardware on my belt and bag — this being a style move I like to employ when I’m wearing all-black and want to add texture or dimension.

Patent leather pants are no doubt one of the most head-turning looks. You have to wear them with confidence and allow them to — quite literally — shine, while keeping the rest of your look “safe.” But safe in the sense that you’re simply sporting pieces you’ve worn before and consistently feel comfortable in. Adding a pop of color up top is a nice way to deflect from the drama of patent leather, and creating a hardware story that flows from top to bottom (i.e. chunky silver hoops and metal-adorned shoes) makes the outfit even more cohesive. Preppy wardrobe basics like classic striped button-downs, cardigans, or sweater vests can also work to soften this style.

Who says you can’t wear joggers to the office? When they come in a sophisticated, flexible faux leather, you absolutely can. This H&M pair has a matte coating and super-movable silhouette, making them feel almost like a flashy trouser. No one has to know they have an elastic waistband and pockets when you’re styling them with an oversize button-down or blazer and heels. My two-in-one corset top was the real pièce de résistance, so the key is to sub in these pants for your standard wide-leg slacks and let the surprised compliments roll in. I was on the receiving end of a lot of, “OMG, those are leather?!” type remarks, and I was happy to confirm that they are — and for just $25 at that.