When most people think of leather garments, they immediately envision classic leather jackets. While leather jackets are popular, however, you can find dozens of other garments made of the same genuine leather material. In recent years, leather skirts have become a popular alternative to traditional women’s skirts.
What Is a Leather Skirt?
As the name suggests, a leather skirt is a women’s skirt featuring a leather construction. Like other skirts, it’s worn around the waist from which it hangs down. The difference is that while other skirts are made of traditional materials like cotton or wool, leather skirts are made of genuine leather.
Some leather skirts are made of cowhide leather, whereas others are made of sheepskin or deerskin leather. Regardless, they are all made of high-quality animal hide that’s been tanned and processed. The end result is a premium skirt that’s both stylish and comfortable.
The Benefits of Wearing a Leather Skirt
Why should you wear a leather skirt exactly? It’s difficult to describe the superior level of softness offered by a leather skirt without experiencing it for yourself. Cotton and wool are undoubtedly soft, but they pale in comparison to genuine leather. Whether you wear it for a few hours or the entire day, a leather skirt will offer you a high level of comfort.
Leather skirts are also attractive. Leather is synonymous with high-end fashion, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that leather skirts are stylish. Wearing a leather skirt will enhance your appearance while potentially creating a slimmer and taller figure in the process.
It’s also worth mentioning that leather skirts are easy to maintain. You don’t have to wash or dry a leather skirt, nor do you have to get it dry cleaned. When your leather skirt is dirty, you can spot clean it using a damp washcloth and some gentle dish soap.
Mini, Midi vs Maxi Leather Skirts
Leather skirts are available in three primary styles: mini, midi and maxi. What’s the difference between these three styles exactly? The terms “mini,” “midi” and “maxi” refer to the length of a skirt or a dress. Typically stopping around the thighs, mini skirts feature the shortest length. Mini skirts, on the other hand, are slightly longer. The longest style, however, is maxi. Maxi leather skirts typically extend to at least the knees, with some extending farther past the knees.
If you’re thinking about buying a leather skirt, you might be wondering which length is best. Well, there’s really no single best length for a leather skirt. Some women prefer mini leather skirts, whereas others prefer midi or maxi leather skirts.
Leather Skirt Colors: What You Should Know
To get the most use out of a leather skirt, you need to choose the right color. You really can’t go wrong with a black leather skirt. The color black is synonymous with formalwear, so it offers a naturally attractive and stylish choice for garments like skirts. Some women, in fact, only wear black skirts and dresses.
With that said, you don’t have to limit yourself to only choosing a black leather skirt. Leather skirts are available in dozens if not hundreds of other colors. Brown, tan, taupe and shades thereof are popular alternatives to black. When some of the first leather garments were produced, they featured a brown color. After all, leather is naturally brown, so brown is a popular color for leather garments.
Don’t let that fool you into thinking black and brown are the only colors in which leather skirts are made. Leather can be dyed to achieve different colors. Whether you prefer red, white, yellow, green, blue or any other color, there’s probably a leather skirt featuring it; it’s up to you, however, to find it.
What color should you choose for a leather skirt? Here are some tips on how to choose the right color:
- Choose a leather skirt in a color that matches the shoes and shirt with which you plan to wear it.
- During the winter, choose a dark color for added warmth. If you’re planning to wear a leather skirt in the summer months, on the other hand, choose a lighter color to keep cool.
- When in doubt, stick with a traditional color like brown or black.
- To preserve the original color of your leather skirt, apply a leather conditioner to it on a regular basis.
Smooth vs Ruffles
Something else to consider when shopping for a leather skirt is the texture. Some leather skirts have a smooth texture, whereas others are designed with a ruffled texture. Smooth leather skirts offer a more contouring fit that hugs your body than their ruffled counterparts. They have little or no excess leather material and, instead, sit closely against your skin when worn.
Ruffled leather skirts, on the other hand, are characterized by the presence of excess and/or loose leather material. They are designed to drape from your waist when worn.
Check for Pockets
Don’t forget to check for pockets when shopping for a leather skirt. Granted, many leather skirts don’t have pockets. If you choose a leather skirt without pockets, you’ll have to carry a purse or handbag to store small items. The good news is that some leather skirts are designed with pockets, thereby eliminating the need for a purse or handbag.
Some leather skirts, for example, have one or two pockets on the front. The pockets are typically secured using a zipper — as opposed to buttons — allowing for a higher level of versatility.
In Conclusion
With their genuine leather construction, leather skirts offer an attractive and comfortable alternative to traditional women’s leather skirts. They are available in countless colors as well as different lengths. Regardless, all leather skirts are made of high-quality and genuine leather. As a result, they offer many of the same benefits as leather jackets.