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Even though we’re still waiting for spring to arrive, the most popular fashion trend of the moment involves a trusty summer staple. Over the past few months, celebrities such as Sydney Sweeney and Jennifer Lopez have been breaking out their shorts, wearing sleek leather options over tights, even in the chilliest of temperatures.
Of course, this cold weather combination isn’t exactly new — wearing leather shorts over tights was a pretty big deal when bloggers began rocking it over a decade ago. Still, it seems the styling hack has been revived and tons of stars are on board, whether we’re talking about Kelly Rowland, who wore leather hot pants while supporting Beyoncé on tour last summer, or Christina Aguilera, who recently styled leather shorts with a coordinating black top and bright red boots.
With so many leather shorts outfits popping up as of late, we decided it was time to shop this 2024 fashion trend for ourselves. So, we searched high and low for cute leather shorts and found at least 10 pairs, ranging from structured designs to stretchy alternatives we can pull on in a flash.
Leather shorts are pretty easy to style, too. Just like J.Lo and Sweeney, you could go with an oversized sweater to balance out a teeny tiny bottom. Or, you might opt for a monochromatic look, making sure your shorts match the color of your shirt. Once spring does come along, you’ll be able to ditch the tights and pull a Miley Cyrus, who wore her red Gucci pair with a gray collared knit. Even pairing them with a simple white T-shirt would make for a cool ensemble.
Shop our favorite (mostly faux) leather shorts, ahead.
We already know we’ll be excited to pull these babies on in the morning. NBD’s leather shorts are loose enough to feel comfortable, yet fitted enough to hug us in all the right places. We’re also big fans of those pockets, which add some interest to this classic design.
Not all leather shorts work for fancy occasions, but because American Eagle’s version is structured, they come across as elevated instead of casual. Layer them over your tights, then grab a fun top and a pair of heels for a sexy date night dinner.
Nothing says you’re more committed to nailing this celebrity-approved outfit than a pair of leather hot pants. Since these bottoms are so tiny, we say go big with it comes to your top and style them with an oversized hoodie.
While micro shorts might be a go-to for many of today’s “It” girls, that’s not the only option out there. Longer lengths tend to be a bit more practical (and slightly warmer) and reviews say this sleek Steve Madden pair is super comfortable.
Something else that’s great about a classic pair of leather shorts? You’re able to style them just like how you would leather pants. Pair these babies from River Island with a crisp button-down at the office, then later on, dress them down with a T-shirt or add a sexy spin with a corset top.
Black may be versatile and timeless, but the colorway is also a tad…predictable. While brown is still a dark neutral that looks great with many different colors, this small swap will add a little pop to your leather shorts look.
If you’re ready to embrace bold colors and add a splash of fun to your outfits, skip the darker shades for something vibrant. These orange leather shorts are quite the statement piece and will easily transition into your warmer-weather wardrobe.
There’s something about Bermuda and trouser shorts that feels high-fashion — probably because they often pop up on the runway (see: Jil Sander, which included them in its Spring ’24 runway). While this pair could easily pass as designer and would look extra elevated when styled with a button-down and ballet flats, they’re actually from Amazon and cost just $26.
If you thought leather shorts couldn’t be sporty, think again. Fabletics’ highly-praised design comes with an elastic waistband, large pockets, and a boxer-like vibe. People say they’re light, breathable, and look just as great with tennis shoes as they do with strappy heels.
Beyoncé doesn’t own these Nasty Gal leather shorts but maybe she should. Between the embellishments and the stitching, they give off Western vibes that are right in line with her “Act II” album. We could easily picture them being worn with some sort of fringe or denim jacket and a wide-brim hat.
