This season, I have selected faux or real leather pants for nearly all my clients. In some cases, these pants have been pulled for weekend wear but in many cases, my selections have been for work looks. Faux leather, also often referred to as vegan leather, has come a long way since the plastic-y, pleather of yesteryear that made you feel like you wrapped yourself in a shower curtain liner and were guaranteed at least a 1/4″ off your midsection by lunch due to waistband sweat. The faux leather of today is not only wearable but when styled the right way, can easily work for more professional settings.

FAUX LEATHER PANTS: PROFESSIONAL LOOKS FOR WORK

Yes, I have had fun pushing the envelope and picking things like this silver metallic pair for a client for fun nights out, but what has been really fun has been showing clients how they can wear faux leather pants for work. Really, it’s all in the styling and what you choose to wear with them, and in today’s post, I have put together some professional faux leather pants looks to give you some ideas.

OUTFIT #1

I love the shade of these faux leather pants from Ann Taylor and have picked them for several clients and this look is actually one of the outfits I pulled together for a client. Inspired by some artwork she created, I fell in love with how beautifully this chartreuse cashmere sweater from J.Crew worked with them and worked so well with the colors of her painting. To finish the look, I added this scarf from Fraas and finished the look with ivory loafers from Camper.

OUTFIT #2

For the same client for whom I selected the envelope-pushing silver faux leather pants, I also chose this pair from Ramy Brook, which she could easily style for the weekend given they are metallic. Now, a pair of metallic faux leather pants definitely skirts the line in terms of appropriateness at work so in my client’s case, for example, I don’t think they would be workable for her work environment, but in some more creative or laid back work environments, a pair of pants like this could be just the thing needed to make a more classic work outfit look more modern and bold. As I am writing this, I am remembering a client in a government position who wore real metallic leather pants to work. Again, it’s all in the styling.

To add professional touches to the outfit, I went classic with this shaped BOSS faux button-up shirt, a burgundy blazer from Veronica Beard, these navy pumps from Sarah Flint, and hoop earrings from Kate Spade.

OUTFIT #3

faux leather pants

When choosing faux leather pants for work, you want to follow the same rules that apply to any pants that are considered appropriate for the workplace and to style them in the same manner you would any other pants. This means no skin-tight painted-on faux leather and not in looks that you would wear for a night out with your girlfriends. Faux leather pants outfits should follow all the dressing rules laid out at your workplace.

In this look, I styled a pair of wide, cropped faux leather pants from Brochu Walker with an ivory v-neck top from Misook. I added this cocoon sweater blazer in grey from J.Crew and finished the look with block heel slingbacks from MM. Lafleur and a long station necklace from Anna Beck.

OUTFIT #4

For a business-casual look, I styled these easy straight-leg Banana Republic Factory faux leather trousers with a striped button-up shirt from Everlane and a cashmere fisherman sweater from Jenni Kayne. The look is finished with a pair of comfortable oxfords from Naturalizer.

OUTFIT #5

faux leather pants

In this last look, I styled these cognac-colored slim cropped bootcut pants from J.crew with a shaped crisp white shirt from Finley. the look is finished with pointed-toe slingbacks from Jeffrey Campbell and a tiger eye pendant necklace from MM. Lafleur.

SHOP FOR FAUX LEATHER PANTS

Ready to add some faux leather pants to your wardrobe? Shop these additional styles.