Denim and leather go together like flannel and tweed. This past holiday weekend, I’ve been wearing leather jackets a lot with jeans, often with a textured sweater underneath and just the tiniest bit of t-shirt peeking out from beneath the hem. Nothing overly long, like what seems to be in fashion nowadays, but enough to make the look feel more relaxed and casual. Shoes also tend to be minimalistic, such as Chelsea boots, side zips, or plain white sneakers.
In the above, I have a tan, suede Harrington with a navy Donegal sweater, pair of beat-up jeans, some white high-tops, a checked gray scarf, and a brown saddle leather belt. Harrington jackets are tricky things. Once part of the uniform of British working-class youth – such as mid-century mods, skins, and soul boys, all the way up to the Britpop scene of the 1990s – they feel a lot tamer in recent years. More aligned with their Ivy Style roots than the British streetwear scene that gave them their edge. I’d like to think mine looks a little less dad-ish than the ones made by Baracuta, but it’s still a conservative jacket.
The other is less conservative. A black leather piece by Maison Martin Margiela, it riffs off the classic cafe racer by placing two large diagonal zippers across the front body. I’ve been surprised by how easy this is to wear with jeans, t-shirts, and knits. In the photo below, I’ve paired it with a textured wool-mohair sweater, which plays off of the more minimalistic leather jacket, jeans, belt, and side zip boots. I’ve liked this piece so much that I’ve been hoping to get another at some point – preferably in navy. If I do, it’ll of course be worn with jeans. Denim and leather is an unbeatable combo.
(photos via me, SSENSE, Saint Laurent, Mr. Porter, and herp)
