See How These Midlife Women Look Stunning in Leather

This post features how midlife women look stunning in leather, and encourages women of any age to wear leather. Read how older women can look effortlessly stylish in leather, and get inspired.

Contents

Women over 40 Can Wear Leather
- Jackets Are an Easy Start for Integrating Leather in Your Wardrobe
- Create Timeless Looks with Leather Leggings or Pants
Go Beyond a Black Leather Pencil Skirt
Leather Peplum, a Real Statement Piece
How Midlife Women Look Stunning in Leather Dresses
Vests Are Great Layering Pieces
Shorts at any Age, in Leather, Yes Please
Going out in Leather Clothes
Final Remarks on How Midlife Women Look Stunning in Leather

Updated: 10/10/2021

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

Women over 40 Can Wear Leather

Only Roy Rogers and Marlene Dietrich should be allowed to wear leather trousers - Edith Head #quote #leatherclothing Click To Tweet

Sorry Edith, but I disagree. First, everyone should wear what they want! Second, everyone can look stunning in leather when knowing how to look stunning in the hide. In this post, I will show you how some of my fellow blogging friends rock theirs and how they get it right. And, yes there is not just one way to look stunning. Are you new to the trend, and want to jump the leather trend bandwagon?

Jackets Are an Easy Start for Integrating Leather in Your Wardrobe

A black motorcycle jacket or a brown fringe leather jacket are easy ways to wear leather. Look for high quality when shopping for leather and a classic cut. Add a pair of dark jeans, a white T-shirt, pearls or a long necklace, pumps or Birkenstocks, and your have a polished casual or California Casual Style look, respectively.

Nancy Baten of Nancy’s Fashion Style even doubles up on the material in her outfit. This look works because of the classic blazer style, and the American Classic white-gray-blue-black neutral color combo.

over 40 years old woman in nappa blazer and leggings — Nancy Baten at Nancy’s Fashion Style wears a navy nappa blazer over nappa leggings with navy plateau sandals and a classic white and gray polo shirt like top. Photo courtesy to her

Stylist tip: Try wearing your moto jacket over a dress instead of a cardigan.

Create Timeless Looks with Leather Leggings or Pants

Annette Höldrich at Lady of Style, creates a timeless outfit by pairing her taupe leather leggings with a black blazer, patent leather girly flats, and white shirt plus a pop of color. She also demonstrates successfully how women over 50 can look stunning in leggings. The secret of this Ageless Style? All colors of the main pieces are neutral.

lady of style in leather leggings and blazer — Annette Höldrich at Lady of Style looks timeless in leather leggings and blazer for Casual Friday. Photo courtesy to her

Go Beyond a Black Leather Pencil Skirt

A black leather pencil skirts is a classic and easy to style even for the office with a button-down shirt and pumps, when the work dress code allows to wear leather. A tan pencil leather skirt is as easy to pull-off as Annette demonstrates (photo below). This look is so much more eye-catching and interesting than the usual black and white combo that you see everywhere. The embellishment on the comfy tan wedge sandals, the bag and necklace add a third color to her look. Her outfit demonstrates that you can wear your leather in summer.

Annette Höldrich of A Lady of Style in a tan leather pencil skirt and sleeveless blazer style button-down white shirt. Photo courtesy to her

The following outfit in all neutrals lives from the unexpected combination of brown with black.

over 50 years old fashion blogger wearing a cardigan, blazer, leather skirt fall outfit — Hallogen tan leather skirt, Vittoria blazer, GNW tights, and Steve Madden Mary Janes, smoky quartz necklace, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and GNW cardigan

Susana Fernandez of A Key to the Armoire, looks classic and office appropriate in a mustard nappa straight skirt, navy school blazer, and classic navy-white striped sweater. The red pumps complete the three basic colors of red, blue, and (mustard) yellow.

mature woman in work outfit with straight nappa skirt — Susana Fernandez of A Key to the Armoire in a mustard straight nappa skirt, school blazer, striped sweater and red pumps looking office appropriate. Photo courtesy to her

Sheila of Ephemera makes the color of her leather skirt the statement. She goes for a patterned top in analogous colors. Since green and purple have blue in common, the outfit gives the illusion of being monochromatic. Thus, the bold colors (green, purple) don’t look over the top or like a bag of candies. 😉

street style Sheila in purple leather skirt with floral cropped jacket — Sheila at Ephemera in a purple pencil leather skirt, cropped floral jacket, statement necklace, and green pointy toe shoes. Photo courtesy to her

Take home message: Working the color wheel is key when going beyond neutral colors.

Besides color, the style of the skirt can make the look. Jamie of More than Turquoise dons one in pleats. Her neutral color look lives from the texture (pleats, faux fur, laces) and shiny booties. While we often associate pleats with conservative school uniforms, they get a real edge as a pleated leather skirt.

style blogger over 40 looking young and hip in a pleated leather skirt — Jamie Lewinger, the style, home décor and travel blogger at More than Turquoise in a pleated burgundy leather skirt, a navy zipped jacket with faux fur collar and hem, navy tight, and black high-heel lace-up booties. Photo courtesy to her

Vests Are Great Layering Pieces

Most outfits look incomplete when there are not three major pieces. A vest is a great alternative to a cardigan or adding a scarf. So when you love menswear, Rock’n Roll, street style or even Bohemian Style, a nappa vest is a great way to go. Try a shearling vest for winter layering. More on how you can wear a leather vest.

nearly 60 years old lady in leather vest winter layering look — Max Mara vest, smoky quartz statement belt, Hipstik tights, Söftt shearling booties, J. Crew snake print skirt, LandsEnd turtleneck sweater

Midlife Women Looking Stunning in Leather Dresses

Leather sheaths are often sold super short in black as party attire.

Call me a prude, if you want, but for my money, they are a No-No.

However, give the dresses just 10 inch or so more, and they become head-turning sheaths (photo below).

leather fashion blogger winter brown jumper — Elie Tahari jumper leather dress, Orvis Irish blazer, Dior over-the-knee boots, and opera length pearl necklace

A fit-and-flare dress can be styled many ways and is flattering on many body shapes. And of course,

You can't go wrong with a LBD. - Coco Chanel. #fashionquote Click To Tweet

granny in leather fit-and-flare black dress — Halogen fit-and-flare leather dress, Gloria Vanderbilt pumps, Longchamp bag

A classic shirt dress cut in just above-the-knee length stays on the modest side.

over 50 years old woman in plum leather shirt dress styled for summer — G.I.L.I plum leather dress, Eddie Bauer long sleeve T-shirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Ivanka Trump pumps, and Winkwood sunglasses

Leather Peplum, a Real Statement Piece

Many women love peplum tops because they create a waist and an hourglass figure instantly. Sheila pairs her leather peplum top with floral paisley cropped pants. The tan and black in the print tie the outfit together.

Stylist’s tip: Repeat two colors of a print in your outfit to tie it together.

over 50 years old woman in leather peplum — Sheila, the style blogger at Ephemera, looking stunning in a leather peplum. Photo courtesy to her

Pairing nappa with suede is a nice trick to create interest because of their different texture. More on how to wear leather-on-leather.

American woman in leather-on-leather summer outfit with yellow and white — Oliveo pencil leather skirt, Very Fine Dancesport Shoes strappy sandals, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Bercile enamel bangle, citrine and carved bone necklace, Lucky Brand suede top, and Winkwood sunglasses

Shorts at any Age, in Leather, Yes Please

Speaking of shorts, we hit several perceptions at once. However, key in wearing shorts (in midlife) is all about balance. Therefore, show your features strategically because sexy is not equal to “flesh show.” Covering more is a sexy teaser. When you love your legs, and want to feature them, show them off. Typically, you can get away with a shorter length more easily with tights underneath than with bare, well maintained legs (shaved, leg makeup). More on styling leather shorts.

mature woman in leather shorts and tight — Sheila of Ephemera looking great in burned orange shorts paired with tights, suede boots, and a Mongolian goat-fur like style cropped jacket. Photo courtesy to her

over 50 years old woman in golden leather shorts — Escada golden leather shorts, Hipstik tights, Chantelle satin pumps, Moda International sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle

over 50 years old woman in leather shorts and straw hat — Carhartt Gingham shirt, Oliveo leather shorts, Kieselstein Cord belt and 3 horses buckle, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Hermes enamel bangles, carved agate necklace and earrings, Tissot stone watch, Ray Ban sunglasses, Michael Kors sandals, and D&Y straw baseball hat

Going Out in Leather Clothes

Who doesn’t remember Angelina Jolie on the Red Carpet in her breath-taking nappa evening gown with her signature mile-high side slit? Sheila (photo below) demonstrates that midlife women can look gorgeous in nappa too when going out. More on how to wear metallic over 40.

mature woman in gold pants — Sheila, the style blogger at Ephemera, looks polished and sexy in her gold pants. Photo courtesy to her

Final Remarks on How Midlife Women Look Stunning in Leather

There is no age limit on wearing leather. The key is to find pieces that tell your story, match your personal style, and lifestyle. Therefore, when you feel comfortable and great wearing leather clothing by all means go for it.