Leather Shorts Are Back For Summer — Here’s How To Wear Them

Leather has become as essential to our wardrobes as a perfectly fitted pair of jeans or a white T-shirt. We wear it in the form of high-rise trousers, button-down collared shirts, and oversized blazers, and in colors ranging from classic blacks and browns to electric shades of blue and purple. There’s only one issue: Leather isn’t designed to be worn in warm weather. Ross trying (and failing) to pull up his sweaty leather pants on Friends is proof enough of that. What the eldest Geller didn’t know, though, was that, when the temperature increases, there is another way to wear leather: shorts. 

Thanks to fall ‘20 Fashion Month street style, where fashion’s finest brought attention to the cropped alternative to leather pants, we’ve started seeing the fabric as a more seasonless trend, rather than something we can only break out when temperatures start to go down. Across fashion’s capitals, we saw leather variations ranging from brightly colored paper bag shorts to extra-long Bermudas, all styled alongside summery footwear like ‘90s strappy sandals courtesy of By Far, braided mules by Bottega Veneta, and animal print boots from Khaite. By opting for loose styles and pairing them with breathable tops like cotton tank tops, linen button-downs, heck, even bra tops, taking leather shorts into the warmer months will be a breeze.

Ahead, see how street style stars in Paris, Milan, London, and New York introduced leather into our warm-weather wardrobes. And while you’re at it, shop the summer silhouette for yourself. 

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When shopping for the perfect pair of leather shorts, look no further than these paper bag styles, which are comfortable, cute, and look like a million bucks when paired with a white tee and a chunky necklace.

Emili Sindlev wearing a Prada bag. Photography by Seleen Saleh.

Which We Want Eloise High Waist Short in Camel, $, available at Need Supply

Eloquii Vegan Leather Shorts, $, available at Eloquii

Pastels and summer aren't exactly a groundbreaking combination, but adding a touch of leather to your array of Easter egg-inspired fashions will give your wardrobe the edge it needs all season long.

Gabriella Berdugo wearing a Chanel handbag.Photo: Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images.

Prologue Mid-Rise Wide Leg Faux Leather Shorts, $, available at Target

Topshop Leather Bermuda Shorts, $, available at Topshop

Cool down by opting for a bra top rather than a blouse. When it gets cooler at night, throw on a lightweight linen blazer.

Elizabeth Delphine wearing Bottega Veneta sandals.Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images.

COS Straight Leather Shorts, $, available at COS

Mango Pleated Shorts, $, available at Mango

We're green with envy over this monochromatic leather ensemble, but, once things start to heat up, a leather shirt and a blazer might be a tad, well, sweaty. Take this ensemble into summer by dropping the blazer and adding a tank underneath your now-unbuttoned matching shirt.

Vanessa Hong wearing a Chanel handbag.Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images.

Aeron-Moss Helen Wide Leg Capri Pants, $, available at The Frankie Shop

Jacquemus Le Short Boca Paneled Leather Shorts, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Swap out the turtleneck for a tank or a crop top and the boots for strappy sandals come June, and you'll be good to go.

Lauren Caruso Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images.

& Other Stories Pull-On Leather Shorts, $, available at & Other Stories

Pixie Market Riley Leather Culottes, $, available at Pixie Market

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