If you’ve ever seen that Friends episode where Ross gets stuck in his leather trousers (let’s be real—who hasn’t?), or you lived through the 2010s leather leggings–and-platforms era, you’d be forgiven for being a little wary of this trouser trend.
Fear not, though. I’m here to confirm that those days are long gone and the leather trousers on the market now are nothing but a sure-fire way to look chic. Real or faux, leather trousers have become a modern classic and a key player in any expensive-looking capsule. Probably because they’re just as easy to wear as jeans but feel more polished for things like date nights, dinners and even office days.
They’re undeniably versatile and a year-round staple. Okay, maybe you wouldn’t choose them on the hottest day in August, but they couldn’t be more perfect for autumn. Just add knits and a trench, and in winter they become the perfect party pants. They may be an investment, but once you find the perfect style, at least you can be sure you’ll get your money’s worth out of them.
These days, leather trousers come in all shapes and sizes, from straight-leg to wide-leg, plus-size to petite. And they’re not just in black leather, either. There are also creamy beiges and shades of green for spring. Most high-street retailers (and a lot of designers) have at least one pair on offer, which means there are a lot out there to choose from. And since I’ve recently tried on what feels like hundreds in my own hunt for the perfect pair, I thought it might be helpful to report back on the very best ones I came across—the ones actually worth your money—just in case you were similarly considering adding a pair to your wardrobe.
Keep scrolling to see and shop the pairs I loved, from Marks and Spencer’s super-comfortable pair to River Island’s *perfect* straight-leg option. Here are 12 leather and faux-leather trousers you’ll never regret.
Trust COS to do a premium wardrobe staple really well. The real leather doesn’t feel heavy or restrictive at all here, and it’s buttery soft to touch. I particularly love the wide leg with a slight flare for smarter occasions. I’m 5’2″ for reference, and the length is just right with heeled boots.
I think I’ve found my dream spring leather trousers in this Jigsaw pair. The fit is impeccable and the crop just right with heels. But can we please talk about the gorgeous beige-green colour? They make a simple white shirt looks so elevated.
I LOVED these. I’ve been looking for the perfect jeans-like straight-leg leather trousers for literally years, and although these were faux, they fit the bill. I’m actually wearing the petite, which fit my 5’2″ frame perfectly. These are a 10 (my usual size), and they don’t feel smaller in any other proportion than length, so they work around the waist and actually hit the right spot on my ankle. Needless to say, I’m keeping these ones.
These beautiful trousers are here to remind you that H&M shouldn’t be overlooked for the more premium pieces on the market. They were a little long on me, but I’m here for the puddle-pant trend, so it didn’t put me off too much, especially with a heeled boot. Unsurprisingly for H&M the white have sold out but the black have just arrived back in stock, which are probably better as we head into the winter season anyway.
M&S has always been my go-to for elevated wardrobe basics—the quality just can’t be beaten. So if you’re looking to invest in a pair of leather trousers you’ll wear all the time for years to come, you can trust that these will last. They feel smart because of the leather, but the stretch waist means they’re also ridiculously comfortable. I didn’t want to take these off!
Good old ASOS. I knew I could count on it for a classic, easy faux-leather style that works really hard in your wardrobe. These were a little less high-waisted and slimmer in the leg than a lot of the others, in case you’re looking for that.
For a more relaxed take on leather trousers, these drawstring-waist ones work perfectly. I could see myself wearing them with trainers or chunky boots on the weekend and dressing them up with heels for evenings out. They also come in curve sizes here.
These are a super-flattering straight-leg style, and I love the dark-green khaki. It makes them feel a little different and perfect for autumn with a cream knit. They still look just as elevated as a classic black pair though.
I didn’t think I would love these given how wide they are. I was worried they might drown me. And although I could probably do with hemming them an inch, I actually really liked how the slouchy legs looked alongside a slouchy shirt, especially when balanced out by the well-fitting waist. Bravo, River Island.
These were another River Island winner for me. Again, I’m a big fan of the muted khaki for spring, and they felt really polished and smart for office days. I’m actually wearing the petite here, and I could definitely wear them with flats, too, which is a bonus.
I love that these come with a matching leather blazer for days when you want to really make a statement. But they also look so nice just on their own with neutral basics.
