The dos and don’ts of wearing leather trousers in midlife

If there’s one pair of trousers that will make you feel instantly cool, slightly edgy and very on trend, it’s a beautifully cut pair of leather trousers. “Wearing leather will always feel like a treat, it has an element of wildness to it – which makes you feel like a rebel,” the stylist Sarah Corbett-Winder says.

It’s a look that actress Cate Blanchett has been sporting regularly lately, such as the patent Louis Vuitton leather pair she wore to the brand’s show in Paris, or the repurposed, wide-legged pair by Canadian label Mr Saturday that she wore on a press tour to promote her latest film. “Leather is such a rich and luxurious texture. It will instantly elevate your outfit, giving you that ‘quiet luxury’ style, which has become so popular,” the stylist Serena Crawley agrees.

Blanchett, who is 55, is flying the fashion flag for any midlifer who fancies a bit of rock ‘n’ roll in their wardrobes, along with other celebrities such as Katie Holmes and Kim Kardashian – but in a grown up, polished manner. “For me leather trousers are timeless,” Dalbir Bains, founder of Santalan coaching, and a fellow midlife leather wearer, says. “I’ll wear them dressed up or dressed down, with trainers or heels. It’s perfect for those days when you want to wear a big comfy jumper, but don’t want to look scruffy – leather trousers instantly elevate your look.”

While it might not be the first fabric that you think of as “flattering”, Marielle Wyse, founder of Wyse London, says that because leather is a firm fabric, “it’s very forgiving; it hides lumps and bumps, providing structure and shape without being too body conscious.”

This is especially true the higher quality you go for. “If you can afford the real thing, go to Massimo Dutti, ME+EM, or look at The Outnet for a wide selection of styles,” Crawley says.  “ME+EM’s panelled leather trousers are particularly brilliant; the stitching down the front of the leg is super flattering and will suit most leg shapes.” (Try the Leather tapered trouser, £595, meandem.com). Bains rates a recent purchase from COS (£300, cos.com), but adds “an old Topshop pair from ten years ago still look as good as ever; leather ages well.”

 Leather tapered trouser, £595, Me+Em

There are lots of great faux pairs on offer, too (which can often be slightly cheaper), including Wyse’s Anne Faux Leather Trouser (£210; wyselondon.com), Mint Velvet’s Black Leather Tapered Trousers (£299; mintvelvet.com) and Anthropologie’s The Izzy relaxed barrel (£128; anthropologie.com).

Black Leather Tapered Trousers, £299, Mint Velvet

‘The Izzy’ relaxed barrel, £128; Anthropologie

“Texture, sheen and lustre in a fabric like faux leather can be very elevating and nothing to shy away from,” Wyse says. You just have to check the quality. “Make sure you test them as much as you can before you buy them,” Crawley agrees. “Squat in them, sit in them, stretch in them. Do they crease or easily crinkle? Do they squeak when you cross your legs? Do they stick to your body? If any of these are true, they are not worth buying.” Consider, also, coated jeans, such  as the Tess Trouser by premium jean brand Seven For All Mankind, for a hybrid option – halfway between jeans and leather trousers (£280; 7forallmankind.co.uk).  Never, however, be tempted by leather leggings. “We’ve moved on from there,” Crawley warns.

Leather trousers, £280; Seven For All Mankind

Now there is a wide (literally in some instances) choice of shapes. Blanchett has rocked every style from skinny to wide-legged and flared.  “Think of the styles of jeans you would normally wear, then look for leather trousers in that style,” Crawley advises. Mandy Watkins, founder of Hush, designed a wide-legged pair for her autumn collection – the Agatha Leather Pull On Trousers (£330, hush-uk.com). “The wide-leg silhouette and drawcord, elasticated waist adds a sporty attitude to leather trousers, which I guess have been traditionally slim fit,” she says. I’m also a big fan of the gently flared Maje leather trousers (£449, uk.maje.com), while the COS pair would appeal to anyone who loves a barrel leg.

Leather trousers, £449, Maje; Leather Pull On Trousers, £330, Hush

Also consider colour: black is classic, but burgundy or brown add a softness, such as the Maje trousers in a dark brown or Jigsaw’s olive-coloured pair (Leather Flat Front Trouser, £325, jigsaw-online.com). Crawley adds that metallic trousers whilst “they might seem scary, can be surprisingly versatile” – try Autograph’s Leather Metallic Trousers (£199, marksandspencer.com).

Leather Flat Front Trouser, £325, Jigsaw

Then there’s the waistband to consider, from an elasticated waist to a simple button and fly. “A ruched elastic waistband ultimately will be more comfortable but be wary of the pouch it may create around your tummy when you sit down,” Crawley says. She adds that leather softens over time, “so if you are stuck between sizes choose the smaller size and let the trousers relax to fit the shape of your body.”

Autograph’s Leather Metallic Trousers, £199, Marks & Spencer

When you have the perfect pair, it’s time to style an outfit around it. Wyse says that for her, double leather “is overkill”.  Instead, she loves pairing leather (or faux) trousers with a “beautiful cashmere or merino sweater” or for evening, a silk blouse, even adding on a smart blazer. “The juxtaposition of fabrics can look super chic,” she says.

An arm-flashing boucle tank (£125; jigsaw-online.com) also ups the sexy-but-cosy factor. Watkins wears retro trainers (£100; hush-uk.com) with her wide-legged leathers for day, “but I also love a kitten heel pointy shoe or boot for those days when I’m out straight after work, or just in the mood. The pointy toe just adds something extra.”

An extra dimension, after all, is the look you’re going for here.