You can still be ladylike with an overall conservative style and think about how to wear a leather jacket. Lesley is showcasing an iconic black leather jacket with an overall ladylike style.
Quote of the day: “With confidence, you have won before you have started.” Marcus Garvey
With all of our leather items ideas, the three of us have successfully showcased that you can still look feminine or conservative even with an item that might be considered edgy.
Charlotte wore her black, faux leather skirt with a beaded cardigan and black booties. I style a pair of brown, faux leather pants in 3 ways to give you 3 style options.
And now Lesley is showing how to wear a leather jacket in a more ladylike fashion. Lesley has shared that her style is conservative and yet she still loves her black leather jacket. In fact, she has a pink leather jacket that she’s worn in the past.
Skirt: Chicos ~~ Jacket: Christopher & Banks~~ Top: Given to Lesley by Charlotte~~ Shoes: Vivaia c/o~~ Necklace: thrifted~~ Purse: Isabelle
How to Wear a Leather Jacket Ladylike
Even a black faux leather jacket can be styled for a conservative woman and have a ladylike appearance. In fact, it’s a wonderful way to add some yin and yang to a look. Even if you are more classic in your clothing choices, adding in something edgier or bolder is a great recipe for success.
In fact, we do this same thing quite often with a denim jacket. The denim jacket can casualize almost anything in the transitional months.
Interesting note: One time a woman commented that denim jackets were only for men and farmhands. It goes to show that it is good to be open to changing times which includes women’s style and what we wear. Just because your opinion that older women shouldn’t wear _____ (fill in the blank), it may not be true for everyone.
Other denim jacket posts as part of that yin/yang style
Adding your Denim Jean Jacket to a Dress
Wearing our Denim Jacket over a Maxi
Denim Jacket for Women as a Transitional Piece
For the colder times, styling a leather jacket is basically the concept. The black leather jacket is iconic, but if black isn’t great with your complexion, there are so many other colors available.
Even Charlotte (who is in her 80’s) has a couple of leather jackets in different colors. You can see her color-blocked moto jacket here and her yellow thrifted one here.
In Lesley’s words: “I decided to style my faux leather jacket a bit ladylike. No biker chick look for me. I love to dress up and while Sun City is rather casual, I wanted to get into my Flamingo mode in reference to a sign in my dress-up room that states ‘Be a Flamingo in a Flock of Pigeons'”
Can Your Hair Style Influence Your Overall Look?
Our hairstyle can definitely play a part in the vibe of your outfit. I wouldn’t have thought of this except that Lesley curled her hair differently for this day, and it has a more feminine vibe, which helps in the ladylike look she was going for.
Even if you have a certain haircut, most of the time, you are able to style it differently to coordinate with a certain look. Just think of an updo for a fancy event. Or a ponytail for the casual times. Even with my pixie cut, I have shown ways to use clips and hairbands.
Personally, I have to admit, that my hairstyle is dependant on whether I’m having a good hair day, but it’s something to consider.
But I always love how Lesley varies her hairstyle depending on the day. Heck, she uses scarves and wears hats in all kinds of ways.
Third Color Effect
Notice that Lesley’s top is an entirely different color than her skirt. I would call her shirt a burnt orange and her skirt is white with black and brown stripes. I think the idea of incorporating an entirely different color is very modern and takes away from the frumpy matchy matchy look that can happen.
Sure, you could wear a black or brown top to match the skirt. But since the skirt is just neutrals, it’s even better to pull in some color.
In fact, Lesley used her accessories to tie it all together.
How to Wear a Leather Jacket with Accessories
The wooden necklace has some of the same colors as the top which ties it together perfectly to the overall look. Even though the burnt orange color of the top is nowhere in the colors of the skirt, it’s very cohesive.
Adding the multi wood colors with the beaded necklace gives it intention. The wood earrings carry along the wood theme from the necklace. Even though they basically match Lesley’s hair, the gold gives your eye something to focus on.
For her purse, Lesley chose a textured black bag that is big enough to hold the essentials but it doesn’t overpower the outfit.
A Belt Hack
You may not have even realized that Lesley is wearing a belt. If you didn’t know better, you might have thought her skirt had a black waistband.
But no, Lesley wore a black elastic belt backward. She didn’t want the gold open clasps to be seen from the front, so she wore it backward instead. Since she had the leather jacket over top, this would remain hidden.
Sometimes a belt is a finishing touch that an outfit needs. NO MATTER WHAT body shape you are, you can wear a belt. In fact, Lesley will tell you that her body is a zucchini shape yet there are many times she rocks a belt.
Insider tip: Another good trick for belts is that you can use an oblong scarf or one of the self belts that came with something else. I ALWAYS take off the self belts and hang them with my other belts for just this reason.
This beautiful pleated skirt was transformed into a dress.
Recycled Water Bottle Footwear
These shoes are the Vivaia brand that we showcased earlier this year. All three of us have been so impressed with the shoes we chose, and have worn them multiple times since. They are comfortable, stylish and the fact that they are made from plastic water bottles is so ingenious.
This pair that Lesley is wearing is called “Jolie” and is available in other colors on the Vivaia site. Being a mule makes them perfect for the warmer temperatures here in Arizona, but I could see her wearing them in the winter with black tights too.
Just like I showed with my leather pants, leopard as part of our footwear is modern and fun. If you aren’t sure about an entire leopard print shoe, then there are some with some pops of leopard.
Should Every Woman Have a Leather Jacket in their Wardrobe?
At this point in our lives, I might say yes. I think they are very versatile to add a bold vibe to any look and are very modern. There are so many shapes and colors of leather jackets available now, that I believe there is something for everyone.
And this is a wonderful colder weather jacket. Lesley was sharing how this outfit could be transformed for a summer event by just switching out the leather jacket for a thin cardigan sweater.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on this item, second-hand stores could be a fabulous option. If you struggle with finding quality items at thrift stores, check out my favorite online ones:
thredUp—this link gives you $10 (and me in return).
Poshmark — here is the post about how to shop the site.
Etsy
ebay
Swap
Uncommon Closet— nonprofit to help women.
Gild the Lily–a local Michigan store that sells online.
Don’t forget to check the men’s department when shopping or if you are smaller, even the young boy’s section can turn up treasures.
My Goal
Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any budget.
I feel I’m here to help move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy. Not cause us stress because we are worried about what others think.
My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from Charlotte, Lesley, and myself. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.
Most of all it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun?
DID YOU KNOW?
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