Sh*t Guys Should Know About Fashion - #5

From my personal experience, fashion can be pretty hard to follow if you don’t know what people are talking about. So I thought that starting the Sh*t Guys Should Know About Fashion segment would be a great way to unravel most of the jargon you hear or read about fashion. 

If you’ve got any confusing terms to add to the list, just drop them in the comments section and I’ll be happy to help!

Today’s mystery fashion term is:

Leather is a durable and flexible material made from animal hides and skin like cattle hide and crocodile.

Leather has been used as clothing from as far back as the Prehistoric Age, it’s pretty obvious that it one of those materials that will never go out of style. Leather has become a lot more sophisticated as designers try to reinvent it season after season.

This Spring, leather is definitely taking centre stage, from studded document folders at Prada to laser-cut rucksacks at Dolce & Gabbana, there are so many ways to work leather into your wardrobe.

Some handy tips:

1. If you’re going for 100% leather then look out for statement pieces, like jackets, shoes and luggage because they’re are more likely to remain in fashion. Bottega Veneta and Hermès are your best bet for timeless pieces.
2. That being said, there’s still lots of room to be more playful. I’m loving the gladiator/sneaker looks from Ann Demeulemeester and the embroidered bomber jacket from John Richmond.
3. If you’re on a budget, look out for smaller leather goods like belts, wallets, suspenders etc.  
4. From my experience, never underestimate the importance of a classic leather wallet, trading in that tacky fabric wallet may save you from having to patch it up somewhere down the line.
5. Try avoiding leather jackets if you’re heavy set, they build up a lot of heat. Talcum powder is a great remedy.
6. When choosing leather clothing think Brando not David and Victoria Beckham in 1999

Here are my favourite leather looks from the Spring Summer 2012 collection:1.   Prada 

2.   Hermès
3.   Louis Vuitton
4.   Ann Demeulemeester
5.   John Richmond
6.   Neil Barrett
7.   Gucci
8.   Dolce & Gabbana
9.   Burberry Prorsum
10.   Lanvin

For more great ideas on how to incorporate leather into your Spring wardrobe have a look at some of these great pieces:

Catwalk Images via style.com. Other Images via luisviaroma, Mr Porter, Selfridges, ASOS