You know those days – the ones where you roll out of bed (after hitting the snooze button too many times), stumble into your closet, and have no idea what to wear? Our series Easy Outfit Formulas is here to help! This column features two items (which you might own already) that can be paired into outfits for those days when you need some quick and easy inspiration.
One of my favorite texture combinations of all time is a thick, chunky knit and sleek, smooth leather – hence, the totally chic and utterly foolproof combo of a warm winter sweater and a trendy (faux) leather skirt. I love the contrast of the casual and cozy sweater with the edgy, streamlined skirt, and it happens to be a super-versatile combination that can work for all sorts of occasions.
If you’re looking to spice up your winter wardrobe, try one of these eye-catching outfits:
Related reading: How to Wear a Leather Skirt: Outfit Ideas & Styling Tips
Table of Contents
Sweater & Leather Skirt Outfit #1
Products: Turtleneck – Banana Republic, Skirt – ASOS, Socks – Lands’ End, Boots – Amazon Fashion, Hat – Billabong, Backpack – Rageon, Watch – Nine West
This look has a trendy street-style vibe, but is still totally appropriate for the average day of classes. It starts with a comfy mustard turtleneck, which is dressed up by a faux leather skater skirt.
Black lace-up ankle boots, marled socks, and a wool hat add a boho touch, but the addition of a colorblocked backpack and oversized gold watch keep the outfit sophisticated and modern. If the weather’s especially cold where you are, try switching out the socks for a knee-high pair or black tights.
Sweater & Leather Skirt Outfit #2
Products: Sweater – Gap, Skirt – ASOS, Hat – ASOS, Booties – Old Navy, Earrings – Blue Nile, Bag – TJ Maxx
This edgy look is ideal for a night on the town. Start with a gray sweater, which contrasts nicely with a trendy lace-up skirt. Incorporate color and print with dark red booties and a leopard clutch, as well as a bit of sparkle with geometric earrings. For the final touch, add a warm black beanie (and sheer black tights if it’s really cold).
Sweater & Leather Skirt Outfit #3
Products: Sweater – Kohl’s, Skirt – Macy’s, Tights – JCPenney, Clutch – Aldo, Heels – Target, Necklace – Saks Fifth Avenue
This retro-inspired holiday outfit proves that faux leather can even work for formal occasions. For a more sophisticated and dressy occasion, try a longer faux leather pleated skirt paired with a festive red sweater. Mary-Jane heels and a silver floral clutch have an almost old-fashioned feel, but black lace tights and a bold statement necklace keep the ensemble modern and glamorous.
The result? A totally unique and unexpected holiday look.
Share your thoughts!
What do you think of the leather skirt and chunky sweater combo? How would you style it? Which look is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2014; it was completely updated and revamped in 2017 by Sharon with new photos, items, and information.
Oh, I love this post! Skirts and sweaters are my favorite, and I love [faux] leather!
The first skirt is adorable, but I’m nervous about ordering H&M online… their sizes seem to run ridiculously small on me! Does anyone else have this issue?
Holly – I shop at H&M a lot, and I’ve ordered a few of their things online. It can be tricky to get the sizing right–I’ve found that some things run small, while other things can run really large. If you have the chance, I would suggest going to an H&M store at least once to try things on and get an idea of sizing (for example, you might wear a certain size in sweaters, and a totally different size in t-shirts). That makes it easier to shop online in the future, since you already know what sizes typically fit you. And you can always return things if they don’t work out!
The second look follows the chunky sweater/streamlined skirt premise and I think it would look great. I’m concerned about looks 1 and 3 though. I think you’d have to be Taylor Swift to not have the fullness at the bottom of the sweater and the fullness of the pleated skirt either fighting or appearing to add a lot of weight to you. With shorter sweaters or some that are more close-fitting, I believe these skirts would look great and I’d love those sweaters over a pair of skinnies with some boots. And I really want the hat in the first look.
I love the 1st outfit!
OMG!!! Iove all the outfits especially the 2nd one. Where I live, its warm all year. I’m sorry, I
meant HOT all year. Wouldnt dare wear leather.