When asked in an interview by GQ magazine, actor Jeff Goldblum famously quoted, “A man doesn’t wear leather trousers so much as the leather trousers wear the man.”
You might have seen people wearing leather pants throughout the history of pop culture. You may also have noticed that not everyone wears them or even prefers to have them in their wardrobe.
So, should guys wear leather pants? Leather pants on men is an acquired taste. Being a man, you will never know if you can pull off the look until you try it on for yourself. However, it’s worth mentioning that a lot of celebrities have tried leather pants to great success and acclaim.
For some, leather pants may come naturally. They will be able to pull it off with any style and look. But if you’re new to the idea and want to try on this style, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind to completely pull it off. Read on to find out more.
Leather Pants Are for Guys Too
It has long been believed that leather pants are predominately a fashion for females. While it may be true for the most part of modern history, the fashion has, however, leaped beyond genders.
You can now find men wearing leather pants everywhere. From TV to movies and even men on the street. It’s easy to spot them since the style stands out very well. The style, however, had gone almost extinct back in the day since it was ridiculed way too much on men.
It has since made a comeback with a lot of high-profile people wearing them to make a statement. Leather pants have been a staple for rockstars since the start. You might have even noticed a pair of leather pants on your favorite singer or guitarist.
This close association to the rock and roll culture is partly the reason why the fashion faded out. People had become so used to the rockstar-leather-pants-wearing persona that they strictly associated it to the young and rebellious musicians. It was also known to be worn mostly by women, and men wanted to, of course, steer away from any attire that would bring them ridicule at the time.
This meant that regular people didn’t think to wear them or even think about pulling off the look themselves, as the style carried with it some heavy social beliefs which only furthered the public opinion about leather pants being hard to pull off for guys.
For something to become fashionable, it has to be worn multiple times by the masses so that it is considered hip in society. Leather pants faced a lot of backlashes because the style didn’t quite reach the critical mass it should have, and thus, the fashion slowly faded away, though it was still largely popular in the rock and roll scene and women in general.
Leather Pants Today
Nowadays, leather pants have made a strong comeback with a complete revival of the trend with different styles and colors.
It seems that leather pants have found a new home with rockstars of a different genre: hip-hop and rap. The revival was sparked by ultra-famous rappers and singers. Most notably, Kanye West, considered by most to be a “style guru”, had been seen advocating leather pants by wearing them to multiple occasions.
These are exciting times for leather pants as more and more people are coming to terms with it being a unisex fashion. Men are now actually more open towards the idea of trying out leather pants than they were back when it was just worn by hardcore rockstars.
This change in public perception towards leather pants helped them to appear more accessible and approachable to men. If Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and multiple other rappers and celebrities are able to pull off the look, then surely the general public can too! It’s just a matter of pairing them with the right combination and following a guideline.
How to Make the Look Work
Leather pants are a casual attire so they are best worn while clubbing or on a casual date. You can wear them on a night out with friends or to a small party as well.
The first step in making the look work is to believe that you can make the look work. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing leather pants then trust us, it will show. If you own the look and think that you are rocking the style, then that positive energy will completely take over and make the style work for you.
The first step, obviously, is to get good leather pants. Try out these Boyland Mens Casual Night Club Leather Pants (Click to view on Amazon). We also suggest that you go with black since it’s a neutral color and can go with any other style you pair it with.
You have the choice of going with skin-tight leather pants or relatively loose pants. If you have a skinny frame, you may be able to pull off the skinny leather pants look. Check out this Idopy Men`s Skin Fit Leather Pants (Amazon) if you are looking for tight fitted jeans.
Whichever style you decide with, remember to keep it plain and simple. Go with a neutral color, without any textures, intentional cuts, or rips. This way you will draw less attention towards your pants when you are starting out. The less that people notice it, the more likely it will become acceptable in your own group of friends. The goal is not to actually hide them but to treat them as any other piece of clothing in your wardrobe.
Keep in mind that this is strictly a casual attire and should only be worn for the same. You can’t pull them off at other types of events, although you may be able to on the red carpet if you are a celebrity. If you do wear them to non-casual events, then be open to criticism that will most likely come your way.
How to Rock em’
Keep close attention to what you wear over your leather pants as it is likely to determine how you end up looking and pulling off the look.
For example, you can rock a loose white T-shirt with tight leather pants along with dress shoes or boots. You can also wear a different colored shirt. Just make sure it’s not too loud or overpowering. The key here is to look subtle and sophisticated with the pants. The more likable and approachable you look, the more likely you are to get praise for the leather pants.
You can also try pairing the pants with a sweater, but be wary of the heat that will come along with them. A sweater over leather pants can work wonders if you wear it during the right conditions. You wouldn’t want to end up like Ross did on his date with Elizabeth from the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Also, you shouldn’t go overboard with the leather. Just the leather pants are fine. You don’t have to go crazy and try on a leather shirt or jacket. That will make you look like you are trying too hard to get the look right. Be subtle, sophisticated, and confident in your leather pants and you will notice almost immediate social acceptance. Good luck!
Related Questions
Are leather pants comfortable to wear? Leather pants can be very comfortable to wear if you pay close attention to the size. Fitting is everything and you need to make sure that you get pants that are just fitted enough to make you feel comfortable. If you get extra skinny or baggy pants, then it will surely make you feel uncomfortable.
Can leather pants be worn on all occasions? Leather pants are best suited for casual events. They are best worn during clubbing, a hot date, or a casual Saturday night out with the guys. Although you can technically wear them anywhere, the social judgment you receive may vary from occasion to occasion.
Are skinny leather pants better than baggy? Both types of pants have their purpose. Some prefer the skinny look while others go for a baggy look. If you have a skinny body frame then you are likely to pull off the skinny leather pants look. Try on a few before making your final decision.
Are leather pants only for women? Even though historically women have worn leather pants more than men have, it shouldn’t take away from the fact that a lot of famous male personalities have worn it to great success too. The general notion towards leather pants is that if you can rock them then you should rock them.
