Faux Leather Pants

Faux leather pants have moved from a night out staple to something you can wear on an ordinary Tuesday. The change came from better materials. Good pairs now have a soft, supple finish with a subtle sheen rather than a plastic shine, and they move with your body instead of stiffening at the knee. Cut decides everything. A straight or wide leg with a high rise looks modern and lengthening, a slim ankle pair feels sleek with boots, and a relaxed barrel shape is the most current. Pay attention to the waistband and the lining. A comfortable, structured waist keeps the pants in place through a full day, and a lining that breathes makes them far more wearable indoors. Black is the classic, but chocolate brown, espresso and deep burgundy feel richer and go just as well with neutral knits. Check that the material has a matte, even surface, since that is usually the sign of a well made pair.

The secret to wearing faux leather is contrast. Pair the pants with something soft and slightly oversized on top, a chunky knit, a cashmere crewneck or a slouchy cardigan, so the shine of the material is balanced by texture. A white tee and a tailored blazer makes a sharp workday outfit, while a silky camisole and heels move it into evening. Footwear can go sleek or casual, pointed boots for polish or clean sneakers for an easygoing feel. Keep jewelry understated and let the pants stand out. In colder weather, a long wool coat over the top looks especially good, since the smooth surface plays nicely against a heavier fabric. To look after them, hang them rather than folding, since sharp creases can be hard to remove, and wipe them with a soft damp cloth if they pick up marks. Avoid high heat, which can damage the finish.

In the grid below I would look at Nanushka's Odessa for a wide leg, Joe's Jeans' Lyra for a slim ankle that wants boots, Ripley Rader's cropped straight pair and PAIGE's Emilie in black, which is a leather blend.

Commando, L'Agence, Alice and Olivia and Le Bop add faux leather pants in straight and flared cuts, and Le Bop's Dakota is the barrel shape. A fitted knit on top keeps it balanced.

Faux leather pants earn their place if they fit properly and feel good to move in. Try them sitting down as well as standing, because the material shows every awkward pull. If the waistband digs or the fabric wrinkles heavily at the knee, move on. A well cut pair looks confident with almost anything, and it is one of the easiest ways to make a basic outfit feel deliberate. Start with black if you want the most versatility, or choose a deep brown if you already own plenty of black. Either way, wear them often and they will quickly become a favorite.

The last grid is real leather pants, for when you want a pair that will soften and last: Anine Bing's Billy in recycled leather, A.L.C.'s Palmer in deep brown and FRAME's Leather Reboot in currant. The same sitting test applies to every one of them. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Leather Pants and Designer Pants.