The Complete Guide to Styling Faux Leather Pants for Women Over 50

Looking for alternatives to PJ’s, jeans or leggings this season?  Faux leather pants may be the perfect solution!  Chic and comfortable, versatile and shockingly forgiving, faux leather or real leather pants are a great way to elevate your style this season.  Best of all leather pants are perfect for women over 50.

Whether you choose Spanx faux leather pants, (if you haven’t checked them out, the new ones fall in the pants category rather than leggings) or look elsewhere for more of a trouser style, you will find no shortage of options both in faux leather pants and what to wear with them.

Women over 50 can definitely rock leather and leather pants which is an added bonus—they are a trend we can embrace and make our own.  Whether you go for rocker chic, easy casual vibes or lady like elegance, there are many styles and outfit combinations to flatter and inspire even the most fashion challenged among us.

I’ve written about faux leather leggings before, and want to point out that leggings and pants are different. I will be explaining this in more detail below, but I wanted to make sure that I point this out from the beginning, so your not wondering why I’m talking about this again, or whether there is a difference.

Common Questions about Styling Faux Leather Pants:

How do you wear faux leather over 50?

Like blue jeans and leggings, women of all ages can wear faux leather or real leather pants.  Leather can add variety to one’s wardrobe and can be styled in many different ways.  Faux leather and real leather trousers are considered wardrobe essentials by some stylists.  Faux leather pants are on trend this year and it’s a great time to add a few pair to your wardrobe.

Leather pants can be worn both for day and evening looks, simply by changing tops and accessories.  Shiny looks are great for evening while matte leather can be worn for both day and evening events.  Take note of cropped styles and high paper bag style waistlines all of which are perfect women over 50 who are looking for a little change this season.

Consider high rise, cropped styles, ‘mom jean’ style or sleek pull on cigarette style pants that make your legs look a mile long.  Wear them with a variety of shoe styles (see below) to create trendy or classic outfits.

What looks good with leather look trousers?

Leather pants and real leather pants can be styled with silk blouses, lacy camisoles, soft sumptuous sweaters, glitter and sequins as well as leather tops, suedes and furs.  Faux leather pants create texture and drama like no other clothing item.

With pull on style pants, consider tunic style chunky knits, fur vests and long cardigans.  Show off a tiny waist with ‘mom jean’ or paper bag style high waistlines paired with silk blouses, lacy camis 

What seasons can you wear leather pants?

Leather pants should be worn during cooler months simply to avoid being too hot, as they tend to retain heat and are great for keeping warm during the cooler months.  Other wise, there is no reason one can’t wear leather pants when ever she wants.

Tops to wear with faux leather pants/what to wear with faux leather pants?

There are no limits to the type of top one can wear with leather pants. Choosing the right top has more to do with the style of pant you choose and the type of vibe you are going for.  As an example, you might choose a graphic t, combat boots and a fur jacket, or a luxe silk blouse, pearls and stilettos.  For day, a soft cashmere sweater and a pair of shearling loafers would be perfect for a cozy snow day at home. Faux leather trousers are also great for evening and festive styling with sequins, velvet and glittery tops and a tuxedo jacket.

What is the difference between faux leather leggings and faux leather pants?

Leggings differ from faux leather pants in several ways, most notably the fabric.  Faux leather leggings are thinner, and look like athleisure wear.  Faux leather pants often have zippers and pockets, looking more like a pair of jeans or trousers.  

Are faux leather pants comfortable?

Getting the right size and fit for your leather pants is super important as well as making sure they have the right amount of stretch so you can move comfortably.

Styling Ideas:

Spanx Faux Leather Pants styled with a faux fur vest, black turtle neck cashmere sweater, and stunning blue suede boots. Makeup by Natasha Denona Blue Suede Knee High Boots https://rstyle.me/+kODEyWIMvXAQQBD1qiWYlQ

Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Pallette https://rstyle.me/+mzOZpHCnETOpnxS4iaOBlg

Spanx faux leather pants styled with suede ball cap, aviator jacket, and white pebble leather shoes. Makeup by Charlotte Tilbury Look in a Palette (I love this and use it all the time!)

Reversible shearling aviator jacket https://rstyle.me/+FzL1pBqFILKmjh8qugFscw

White Tumbled Leather Sneakers https://rstyle.me/+CFxbbtsZTTOSgjPq9TfplA

Suede Baseball Cap in Camel https://rstyle.me/+nR4pTm2tuNCqLcN-FLBeaQ

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look In a Palette https://rstyle.me/+_svFwdH1fczC6DhJPF5-0A

Alexis Kayden Vegan Leather Pants with paperbag waist

Reiss Evi Wool blend overcoat https://rstyle.me/+7v2-N7e_WX98MU1Jy36gAg

Gold Double Wrap Necklace https://rstyle.me/+y7I7GX_0cHkLru7-4Yg1fg

White gather detail blouse https://rstyle.me/+F3_WB3zcFo7uN9DDcWGqXQ

YSL Opium  https://rstyle.me/+YBQ88CuUhEiQLe_-G8bBqg

Style tips: 

Pay attention not only to the fit at the hips, crotch, backside and waistline, but also to the length and fit at the calf and ankle.  

Walk and sit in them to make sure they don’t pull, make noise when you walk, and that they feel comfortable around the legs and waist.

Make sure the top of the pants works with the top you’ve chosen.  Because the Spanx don’t have a zipper, front pockets or belt loops, they work well with tunics and tops you wear over the pants.  If you want to tuck your shirt or blouse in, look for a pair with zipper and belt loops.

It’s perfectly ok to blend cashmere, glitter and sequins, silk and a variety of prints with faux leather trousers.  In fact, wearing a blend of textures really elevates the styling of  leather pieces.

Faux leather pants look great when mixed with suedes and other textures.  Don’t be afraid to experiment!

While just about any type of shoes can be worn with faux leather pants, shoes with heels, for a chic look, add boots or booties with a slight heel.  Combat boots are on trend this year, and are always fun; avoid round toe ballerina style flats as they can make the look a bit matronly.

Faux or real?  Which should you choose?  I’ve owned both, and find my faux leather pants are much more comfortable because they have a little stretch, and are easy to care for.  One can’t beat a pair of well fitting leather pants though, while they will keep you warm, they are a little less sweat inducing—a factor we women over fifty might want to consider.

Whether or not to wear faux (or real) leather pants is a personal decision, it’s so important to consider not only what is currently on trend, but what really inspires us and blends well with out wardrobe and unique style.  If you haven’t tried faux leather pants, why not give them a try, order a pair and spend a little time styling them with the clothes you have in your closet to determine whether they are “you”. If they are, great!  They are a nice alternative to jeans.  If not, no worries, there are plenty of styles and clothing options that will suit your style.

For more styling ideas:

Styling Faux Leather Leggings

What to Wear On a Winter Date Night Over 50

Chic Ways of Styling Cardigan Sweaters This Fall

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