Fashion You Can Do: Ladylike Leather By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on October 30, 2013 @ 04:45PM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Time Inc Digital Studio If the very idea of rocking leather skinnies or a biker jacket makes you shudder—you're not that kind of girl!—you will be pleased to know there are many luxe options now with a more elegant, decorous appeal. Designers are using soft skins to create curvy peplums, waist-nipping dresses, and midcalf skirts that come off as sensuous, not sex-kittenish. It's really quite simple to take on the leather trend. Just follow these three style rules from Fashion Director Cindy Weber Cleary and then click through our gallery for some inspiration. 1. Stick to classic shapes and muted colors. Nothing revealing, super-tight, studded, or distressed. 2. Team a leather piece with a contrasting texture for instant visual interest. A leather pencil skirt, for example, could conceivably be worn to the office with a boxy tweed jacket as long as your workplace isn't ultra-conservative. 3. If you're still nervous, choose a soft color instead of black or a leather accessory such as a pair of glamorous gloves or a slender bow belt. These won't raise any eyebrows but will still deliver a little stylish frisson. [wrn_button url="https://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/general/photos/0,,20720151_20748706_30041314,00.html" text="See Our Picks" title="See Our Picks"] MORE:360 Fall: Luxe LeatherFall Fashion Trends 2013: 20 Coats to Change Your LifeSnag Pippa Middleton's Leather Pants, But Only if You're Lucky![instyle_context_cmad url="http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2013/WRN/101013-HP-taylor-swift-200.jpg"] 01 of 08 Timex Time Inc Digital Studio Gold-toned watch with leather strap, Timex, $45; timex.com 02 of 08 Portolano Time Inc Digital Studio Napa leather gloves, Portolano Products, $210; at Portolano Products, 212-719-4403 03 of 08 Frances Heffernan Time Inc Digital Studio Napa leather and merino wool top, Svee, $255; at Frances Heffernan, 847-446-2112 04 of 08 Lisa Freede Time Inc Digital Studio Leather and gold-plated cuff, Lisa Freede Jewelry, $95; lisafreede.com 05 of 08 Iris & Ink Time Inc Digital Studio Why Fashion Director Cindy Weber Cleary loves this look: "The contrast of a demure silhouette (such as this full-skirted dress) with a material with such sexy connotations (black leather) is the height of allure. It makes the wearer more intriguing." Leather dress, Iris amp Ink, $475; theoutnet.com 06 of 08 Calvin Klein Time Inc Digital Studio Style Secret from Fashion Director Cindy Weber Cleary: "Reach into your shoe stash for a pair of pointy-toe pumps, which will complete the slightly retro mood." Faux-leather skirt, Calvin Klein, $110; at macys.com 07 of 08 Skinny Time Inc Digital Studio Faux-leather belt, Skinny, $42; skinnystyle.com 08 of 08 Club Monaco Time Inc Digital Studio Lambskin and rayon-blend dress, Club Monaco, $698; 212-462-4390