Leather Clothing and Accessories
Can You Wear Leather Pants in Summer? When It Works and When to Skip It
Yes, on mild days and evenings in a thin pair with a light top and flat shoes. Which cuts, colors and linings suit warm weather, and when to skip them.
Yes, on mild days and summer evenings, if you pick a thin pair, a light top and flat shoes. In strong sun leather can feel warm, so plan for shade on very hot days. Refinery29 is blunter: leather "isn't designed" for warm weather, and leather shorts are the cropped alternative.
This answer is part of our leather clothing and accessories guide. For outfits the rest of the year, see how to wear leather trousers.
Why leather pants feel hot
Leather blocks wind well, which is why High Latitude Style suggests it for windy, cloudy days in the warm season. Marie Claire UK warns that tight leather trousers carry a real risk of overheating.
A famous example: after the first sit-down show of Elvis Presley's 1968 TV special, the costume designer had to peel the sweat-soaked leather suit off his skin and wash it by hand before the next show.
Pick a pair that suits warm days
Faux leather is not automatically cooler. Depending on how it is made, artificial leather can be porous and breathable or fully waterproof. Check the product details before you buy.
| Choice | Better for summer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Thin hide, about 0.03 in (0.8 to 0.9 mm), feels lighter and suits mild days | Leather Collection |
| Cut | A wider cut rather than skinny | High Latitude Style |
| Length | Cropped trousers, or long leather Bermuda shorts | The Zoe Report |
| Color | Light, bright or pastel shades; The Zoe Report says they don't soak up heat like black | High Latitude Style, The Zoe Report |
| Lining | Lined, or a tee or tank under unlined pieces, to keep dye off sweaty skin | High Latitude Style |
What to wear with leather pants in summer
- A light top and flat shoes. This is the store's own warm-month advice.
- A neutral tank with bright leather pants. The Zoe Report pairs bold color with a plain tank to stay cool.
- A simple tank and Mary Jane flats with cropped trousers.
- A light layer for later. On a cool night, The Zoe Report adds a moto jacket over a camisole or slip dress.
When to wear them, and when not to
Riders are a separate case. Riding pants are cut for a seated position, and the store says thicker leather suits riding. This page is about everyday pairs.
| Wear them | Skip them | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, cloudy or windy days | Rain: wear a trench instead | High Latitude Style |
| Evenings and cool nights | Very hot days in direct sun | The Zoe Report, Leather Collection |
| Mild days in thin leather | Days too hot for trousers: try leather shorts or knee-high boots with shorts instead | Leather Collection, Refinery29, The Zoe Report |
Where to buy
Women's pairs are in Leather Collection leather pants for women. Most use a soft hide about 0.03 in (0.8 to 0.9 mm) thick. Colors include beige, grey and white as well as black. Men's pairs are in Leather Collection men's leather pants, where thinner cowhide is the lighter daily-wear choice.
Wearing them to the office? See can you wear leather pants to work?. For why they turn heads in any season, read why leather pants make a bold style statement.
FAQ
Can I wear leather pants in the winter?
Yes. The store's advice for cold months is to add a long knit or a coat over the waistband.
What kind of jacket should I wear with leather pants?
Vogue UK suggests a matching leather bomber over a plain white tee, and Busbee Style a tailored blazer or a moto jacket. For more outfits, see how to wear leather trousers.
Are leather pants business casual?
In less conservative offices they can be, with a dress-pants cut. Our leather pants at work page covers the rules.
leatheride Editorial Team
leatheride articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.