There’s something extra special about leather pants. They’re considered rugged, protective, and structured, and in our modern era, incredibly luxurious. Working with leather is ancient stuff, too; having been used to make clothing since the dawn of mankind. (Right?) Leggings seem to be at total odds with this heavy-duty substance: very much a product of the 20th century, designed for comfort and coziness with a construction that can, at times, veer towards flimsiness. And yet, after all this time, the twain have met — with sexy results.
While it seems like an unlikely May-December romance between the body-hugging legwear and the supple material, they’re actually a match made in heaven. Leather conforms to the legs with the same intuition and ease of that trusty cotton-spandex blend, they’re often as comfy and warm as sweats, and they give your wardrobe that boost of polish making them an essential that can be worn over and over again. Click through to see the best leather leggings — both genuine and faux — that we could find right now. And if you don’t wear another pair pants for the rest of the season, we won’t blame you one bit.
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Dr. Denim Plenty Jean
This faux-leather pair have a denim-like construction that are comfy yet still substantial.
Dr Denim Plenty Jean, $, available at Revolve
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Berdine Faux Leather Leggings
The power of yoga attire meets the power of skinny jeans in this easy-to-wear pair of faux leather leggings. Our favorite part? The subtle zip detail at the ankle.
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Berdine Faux Leather Leggings, $, available at Anthropologie
Spanx Faux Leather Quilted Leggings
Spanx is well famous for their faux-leather leggings. No matter which site you find them on, you’ll encounter enthusiastic, top-notch reviews. We love this sleek pair from Zappos featuring quilted details and an always-flattering fit.
SPANX Faux Leather Quilted Leggings, $, available at Zappos
BLANKNYC Faux Leather Leggings
This faux-leather pair (with an excellent discount at the moment) have a pull-on-and-go construction that are comfy yet still substantial.
BLANKNYC Denim Faux Leather Skinny Jeans, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Alivia Ford Stretch Faux Leather Leggings
Whether you’re wearing them during the day or dressing them up for an evening out, these bold leggings are designed to stand out. The coated Ponte fabric looks like vegan leather but breathes, holds, and stretches like no other.
Alivia Ford Plus Size Stretch Faux Leather Leggings, $, available at Walmart
Commando Patent Leather Leggings
Shine on, you crazy diamond! Patent might be our favorite leather in the bunch for its look-at-me finish. You’ll be dancing — in comfort! — all night long with these brilliant faux trousers.
Commando Control Top Faux Patent Leather Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom
SPANX Faux Leather Hip Zip Leggings
Spanx is well famous for their faux-leather leggings. No matter which site you find them on, you’ll encounter enthusiastic, top-notch reviews. We love the side “hip zips” on this plus-size pair from Zappos — a detail that adds both comfort and edge.
SPANX Plus Size Faux Leather Hip-Zip Leggings, $, available at Zappos
Yummie By Heather Thompson Faux Leather Pebbled Leggings
What sets this pair apart is its pebbled material, which offers a trendy take on this closet staple.
Yummie by Heather Thomson Faux Leather Pebbeled Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Wolford Faux-Leather Leggings
This faux-leather pair from Wolford is on the pricier side, but how elegant and unexpected are those front hem slits? You may have spotted a similar style in our previous leggings coverage on a chic, chic, chic street-style star. It convinced us that iteration belongs in the rotation, and it may just convince you.
Wolford Estella faux-leather leggings, $, available at MatchesFashion.com
Helmut Lang Leather Leggings
Ding ding ding! This classic Helmut Lang pair, originally priced at close to $1,000, is marked down 50%. Run, don’t walk.
Alice + Olivia Leather Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom
MUUBAA Astrantia Stretch-Leather Leggings
A sneaky side zip makes this mega-marked-down pair a great investment.
Muubaa Astrantia stretch-leather leggings, $, available at The Outnet
Frame Denim Overlap Pull-On Lamb Leather Leggings
Okay, fine — here’s a real pair of just plain old leggings in a supple lambskin, with a cool, v-shaped detail at the waistband.
FRAME Denim Overlap Pull-On Lamb Leather Leggings, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Viv Collection High-Waisted Faux Leather Collection
This hunter green faux leather pair is here to shake up your all-black wardrobe rotation. Available in the green shown here, in addition to light pink, hot pink, white, and camel, you have no excuse for not pairing a leather look with a hip hue this fall.
Viv Collection Faux Leather High Waisted Leggings, $, available at Amazon
VEDA Zero Stretch Leather Legging
If you don’t know VEDA, listen up: they’re the OG independent leather specialists, and have been turning out small-batch goods from their New York design studio for over ten years. Their small-batch production means less environmental impact and more oversight over factory conditions.
VEDA Zero Stretch Leather Leggings, $, available at VEDA
HUE Python Leatherette Leggings
Need a print in your life? A leather-effect legging with a snake-effect print will have, well, the effect of turning the heads of everyone around you — to the tune of $18.
HUE Python Leatherette Leggings, $, available at Amazon
Frame Denim Quilted Lamb Leather Leggings Pants
We’re rudely flouting the one rule of this slideshow by including a pair of leather pants. How dare we? Well, hear us out: these cropped beauties are quilted (and therefore extra-cool); marked down almost 60%; and — rare for Nordstrom Rack — have a healthy size run available. For now.
FRAME Denim Quilted Lamb Leather Pants, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Ingrid & Isabel Faux Leather Maternity Leggings
Maternity-wear refuseniks: you know who you are. You and your bump may have been getting by on a diet of oversized tops and tunic dresses these past few months, but now that you’re in the home stretch you really need to invest in some pants. If you’re only going to wear one type of bottom for the next two-ish months, why not make it chic pair of faux leather leggings for less than $100?
Ingrid & Isabel Faux Leather Maternity Leggings, $, available at Shopbop
SPRWMN Suede Leggings
A leather-lover to know, LA-based SPRWMN specializes in French-sourced hides cut into stem-enhancing silhouettes. They don’t come cheap, but from the luxe looks of these babies, they’re worth every penny.
SPRWMN Suede leggings, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Scoop Vegan Leather Legging
Walmart recently re-animated the iconic Y2K-era retailer Scoop, marrying the shop’s of-the-moment trendiness with Walmart’s own epically competitive pricing. You better believe there’s a faux-leather legging in the mix for fall — to the tune of less than $40.
Scoop Vegan Leather Legging, $, available at Walmart
BLANKNYC Faux Leather Leggings
This faux-leather pair (with an excellent discount at the moment) has strategically placed seams, helping them resemble the real deal — well, seamlessly.
BLANKNYC Pussy Cat Leather Leggings, $, available at Verishop
BB Dakota Nice Stems Vegan Leather Leggings
An ever-so-slouchy faux-leather pair that impressed us with their nice price.
BB Dakota Nice Stems Vegan Leather Leggings, $, available at Shopbop
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