A history of leather skirts

A leather skirt is a wardrobe staple that truly never goes out of style. The leather skirt has come in many styles throughout the years, and with the ever-growing popularity of vintage, even one from a bygone era can still add the necessary pop to your daily wardrobe.

The 1960s were probably the first era when leather skirts really became popular. In the more staid, ladylike 1950s, a leather skirt wouldn't have been the norm in any way! But in the 60s, the era of the liberated woman, the miniskirt, and the short shorts, leather suddenly became de rigueur.

Leather skirt styles in the 1960s run the gamut. The 1960s were definitely the era of the micro mini; leather micro-minis and mini skirts that were a bit longer came in every finish and every color. For a true 1960s look, consider a shiny white micro-miniskirt with big hair and go-go boots. Leather skirts are also part of the British "mod" movement, and leather miniskirts printed with the British union jack, or in shiny black leather, are perfect as part of achieving this singular look. If you're looking for a more understated look, consider a longer, a-line skirt from the 1960s. Snaps down the front give an added vintage vibe, and this longer variety looks best in camel colored suede. Skirts with leather accents, like leather stripes on a wool background, or a suede skirt with shinier leather accents, like flowers, also scream 1960s.

The late 1960s and early 1970s said goodbye to the eras of mod and the huge popularity of miniskirts and welcomed the era of the hippie. Some of the key leather skirt trends in this era include: fringe, patchwork, and long, long lengths. Platform shoes were the "it" accessory to pair with your leather skirt, and whether your skirt was knee-length, patchwork and A-line, or long with fringe details, the tall shoe or sandal was a must-have. Suede is a key component of this era, and leather skirts were definitely the center of a whole look centered on leather - leather vests and jackets with fringe, leather knee-high patchwork boots, and slouchy leather sling bags completed this look.

Madonna and movies like "Working Girl" set the stage for the leather skirt looks of the 1980s: knee- length, tight, and black. This era marked details like ruching - gathering on the seams to make the garment look wrinkled - studs, grommets, and lacing. It was the first era where a woman could comfortably pair a classic, straight leather skirt with a high-end blouse and blazer and go to the office.

The look of the 1990s can be described in one word: sleek. Leather pencil skirts done in textured finishes, like python, or stitched with a quilted finish, were all the rage. High-end designers embraced the look, and designers like Tom Ford for Gucci took the dominatrix look, featuring slick black leather, into the mainstream. Today, anything goes with leather skirts. Embrace your favorite look from generations past, or go for a modern silhouette that most flatters your body and your own life and look.