Why You Need To Invest In Leather Wear
It's time for the season's fetishy textile!
The buttery leather has made a comeback with a fetish-inducing sheen this season with the likes of Alexander Skarsgård and our very own Ranveer Singh rocking the hell out of it.
Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård's rash of recent leather-heavy appearances have made him a poster dude for dark romance akin to the dark and twisted characters he essays on screen. Or should we call him a leather dad with an insatiable bondage kink? The six feet, four inches tall Skarsgård at the BFI London Film Festival embraced a full look from Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s fall 2025 collection comprising a monochrome, backless halter neck top with a slim leather tie, with tight, lace-up leather pants, and chunky round-toe Jimmy Choo boots.
Earlier this year, the Pillion hottie sizzled on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet cutting a fine figure in a pair of kinky boots. Few weeks ago, the Bollywood sartorial risk-taker Ranveer Singh too turned up the temperatures in a biker leather jacket from Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann. He completed the look with a metallic neck chain and a pair of earstuds.
High fashion can't seem to have enough of the all-pervading leather fixation and looks like 2026 will be hide-heavy too - from ready-to-wear to footwear and accessories.
In the recently unveiled Dior Fall 2026 collection realised under the aegis of the brand's artistic director Jonathan Anderson, leather takes on couture-ish proportions. One of the key looks features the iconic Bar Jacket crafted from the sheen-heavy skin - steeped in the house heritage yet charmingly badass. Another key example of the leather mania is evident in the Gucci Generation look book brought to life by the brand's artistic director Demna. One of the noteworthy pieces is a skinny leather bomber with zipper detailing which instantly brought to mind the iconic David Beckham head-to-leather look from 1999 when he wore a motocross Gucci jacket. Moreover, Fall 2025 collections by Saint Laurent and Ludovic de Saint Sernin nod in favour of leather outerwear. In the recently unveiled Ferragamo’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection, designer Maximilian Davis mixes leather separates like jackets and trousers with heritage textiles.
Leather lends itself to effortless styling in winter months with an array of pieces - from a chunky knit to a furry gilet. The interplay of textures lends personality and a distinctive character to the overall winter look. There was a time when leather pants epitomised the rebellious mood of rock 'n' roll immortalised by the likes of Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison and Mick Jagger. Also worth mentioning are silver screen style savants like Marlon Brando, James Dean and Harrison Ford who entrenched leather ready-to-wear pieces in pop culture. Leather separates also denoted an unencumbered self-expression seen on David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Prince. Cut to the present and everyone's fav Zaddy - Pedro Pascal brought back the spotlight on a pair of over-the-knee YSL leather boots serving unapologetic titillation.
Back home, designers like Jeetinder Sandhu and Alter-X by Nitish Arora among others have reconfigured leather with unfamiliar touches. Says Jeetinder, "For me, the appeal of leather right now is the duality it offers: it can be sharp and structured or soft and fluid. That emotional range is why it’s gone fully mainstream." He suggests a play of proportions. "Longline leather coats, above-the-knee boots or cropped biker silhouettes add drama without trying too hard. As for colours, deep oxbloods, charcoals and dark rich bottle greens feel modern and luxe beyond the classic black. For footwear, statement boots are the easiest entry point, think structured knee-highs, sleek square-toes or textured leather shoe options elevate the look. But it’s important to let the leather speak. Pair it with knits, tailored trousers or denims to balance the intensity of the leather with the rest of the outfit," adds Sandhu.
Designer Nitish Arora of label Alter-X in his recent collections has played with structured forms and croc textures. "I see men becoming far more open to experimenting. Leather has always had a certain edge for men - strong, bold and a little provocative and that’s exactly why it works so well this winter. Whether it’s structured leather or something softer and close to the body, I think men should choose what feels true to them," says Nitish, who wears leather like a winter shell. "A strong leather jacket, a textured accessory, or even thigh-high boots with a sharp coat—men can carry all of it today. Leather isn’t just fashion anymore; it’s an attitude," he quips.
Here are our top leather picks this season:
Vuitton varsity vibe
This souvenir bomber crafted in leather embodies a preppy, polished collegiate cool. Throw it over shorts or a jumpsuit and you've nailed it.
Gucci Biker dude
Conceptualised by Demna, this zipper bomber packs a punch. Style it with matching leather pants or trousers crafted in a heritage textile.
Dior leather Dandy
This Bar jacket conceived out of supple leather is genius. Ideal for some of the most significant outings like a red-carpet gala or a museum exhibit. Team it with a pair of custom tuxedo trousers and see heads turn.
Ferragamo fetishy fantasy
These leather pants are versatile and can look either elegant or erogenous depending on how you style them.
Shoe porn
Comfy and kink-inducing, these Jeetinder Sandhu split toe whole cut shoes made in soft grain leather with coloured crystals embellished on the upper are likely to amp up just about any look under the sun.
