Leather Okay for Warm Weather?

Recently, the Wall Street Journal went out on the streets of New York and asked what people thought about leather shorts. A noticeable piece in many designer's collection for spring, leather shorts seem to be a bit contradictory, at least without further examination. Most people typically associate leather with fall and winter, a material that is meant to keep you warm. Over the years designers have begun turning the traditionally cold-weather fabric into a hot (no pun intended) item for warmer times.

It got me thinking about my favorite leather pieces. When I worked in retail, the designer was great at using leather for every season. Lightweight buttery-soft leather jackets, pencil skirts and pants were all staples in his designs and people loved them. Definitely an investment when you find the right pieces, but completely worth it because you will have them for years. And when you buy a quality leather piece, it can only get better with age. The leather develops its own character and the scratches and marks, which you try to avoid in the beginning,  become the best part.

Because the weather is warmer, naturally any leather item that you wear will contain less material. I recommend either short or tight, not both. Otherwise you end up looking like a biker chick. Stick to one leather item per outfit, and make it the focal point. Build around that piece and allow everything else to gently compliment. You don't want to be caught in some magazine as a "Fashion Don't" wearing a complete leather ensemble (In my honest opinion, that applies to every season, I don't care how cold it is). I found a couple of leather pieces that can be great for summer, but also transitional pieces depending on how you wear them.

The best top for the Chloe and Cynthia Steffe short would be something simple and classic, maybe a crisp white blouse or a colorful blousy top. The Helmut Lang short is a little more edgy, so an off-the-shoulder graphic printed top would work better.

These leather jackets will go with any and everything in your closet. Great with a pair of high-waisted twill trousers, a pair of denim shorts, a linen pencil skirt or a mini, these pieces will carry you from day to night, from the office to a girl's night out.

So it seems that leather in warm weather works after all!