Here are some styling suggestions for the season's hottest jacket.
RETURNING TO THE FUTURE Jacket aficionados from the 1990s to the present. Blogger Lois Opoku in Berlin in 2022; blogger Chriselle Lim in New York in 2022; Elaine Welteroth in Los Angeles in 2021; Cindy Crawford in New York in 1990; Sarah Jessica Parker in Hollywood in 1994; Kaia Gerber in Milan in 2020; Kendall Jenner in New York in 2019; a model in MM6 Maison Margiela's spring 2022 show; Emily Ratajkowski in New York in 2022, a model in Prada's spring 2022 show; Kai
Sean McCabe's illustration is courtesy of Getty Images.
WE DID OUR BEST. We tried, but we couldn't think of a single A-List actress in the 1990s who didn't wear a leather blazer. Gwyneth Paltrow, like her character Helen Quilley in the 1998 film "Sliding Doors," voted for a black candidate. At the 1996 red-carpet premiere of "2 Days in the Valley," Reese Witherspoon wore a wine-colored version, which she matched with thick black boots and brownish lipstick. In the Mrs. Whiskerson episode (1999), Jennifer Aniston, at the height of her "Friends" stardom, wore a camel-style coat alongside a cat with no coat at all. Devotees as well? Claire Danes, Julia Roberts, Jada Pinkett Smith, Neve Campbell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Winona Ryder, and Naomi Campbell are among the actresses that have appeared in the film.
Cindy Crawford, a long-time supporter of the leather blazer before the year 2000, recently resurrected the trend with her mirror-image daughter, Kaia Gerber, bringing the look full circle. Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and Hailey Bieber are among the new generation of celebrities who are drawn to the garment, alongside Ms. Gerber. Gucci, Saint Laurent (length and single-breasted), and Versace have all brought it back (embossed all over with the label's logo) (slim and shrunken). That Versace take, according to Brigitte Chartrand, vice president of womenswear procurement at retailer Ssense, is her favorite current rendition of the style. "It's so iconic of the era," she added, "and we haven't seen much of this specific style since Gwyneth and Winona wore it in the '90s."
New York stylist Tyler Okuns points to notable versions by the Row, Khaite and David Koma, while Los Angeles stylist Erin Walsh calls out designs by Staud and Nanushka as her top picks.
You can also look for first-wave iterations if you're a '90s completist who insists on authenticity, according to Brynn Jones, owner of L.A.'s Aralda Vintage, a go-to for celebrities like Alexa Demie of "Euphoria" and Olivia Rodrigo.
"The Chanel, Alaa, and Jil Sander versions from the 1990s were wonderful," she said.
The leather blazer infuses a classic, precise silhouette with danger and insouciance, making it an excellent barrier for spring's capricious conditions. It must be nicely cut, whether new or vintage. Ms. Jones advised, "It should have some rigidity at the shoulder, but not so much that it overpowers you." "It should either be a boxy, big style that feels more relaxed and is wonderful for layering, or it should taper in at the waist to emphasize your form."
Sandra Sandor, the founder and creative director of Nanushka, used Ms. Crawford's moodboard to build her brand's faux-leather blazer. Ms. Sandor praised Ms. Crawford's low-key fashion choices, saying, "She made the leather blazer very effortless." For the same reason, Ms. Walsh considers Ms. Paltrow to be the ultimate blazer wearer. "Gwyneth's '90s leather blazers set the bar," she remarked, describing the Goop founder's outfit as "too-cool chic."
Emulate their effortlessness. Ms. Walsh favors a basic white button-down, turtleneck bodysuit, or striped tee with her jacket. Ms. Sandor advised, "Let the blazer be the statement item," adding that straight-leg jeans and a white T-shirt are good supporting players. Ms. Jones suggested slipping yours over a slip dress for another '90s allusion. Perhaps while blasting "Bitter Sweet Symphony" at maximum volume.
'Pumping up your comfort items with a sleek, slimline leather blazer is a simple option.'
Kara Pfaffenbach, 45, a senior line builder at Ecco, a Brooklyn-based shoe company, enjoys the versatility of her Zero + Maria Cornejo version in black lambskin. "I normally wear it with a pair of high-waisted jeans and a chunky ankle boot over a graphic T-shirt," she said. "For a dressed-up but cool moment, I pair it with more feminine, printed midi skirts from Dries Van Noten or Rachel Comey." Becky Rashidifard, a 32-year-old New York-based registered dietitian, wears her leather blazer with flared Norma Kamali slacks and lug-sole boots, or black jeans and a T-shirt. "That's my go-to everyday look," she explained.
The wider '90s and Y2K renaissance that is sweeping the fashion world has given the leather blazer a new lease on life (see all things low-slung, midriff-baring and Avril Lavigne-esque). But, as Ms. Okuns pointed out, it's also a reflection of our collective sartorial mood. "Fashion is a mirror of the times, and minimalism works in a pandemic," she explained. Ms. Walsh concurs. "I believe people are seeking for easy methods to pump up their comfort garments now more than before," she said. "Adding a stylish, minimalist accent piece to an ensemble may really pull it together."
The timeless charm of the leather blazer is undeniable. Ms. Jones added, "We can all see how classic a piece like this is and how it stands the test of time." "I feel like all of the retro photographs of individuals in their leather blazers transition extremely well to the present day," she says. Similarly, Ms. Chartrand believes that the leather blazer's resurgence is more than just a cyclical trend stop. "It should be a mainstay in everyone's wardrobe, just like a pair of classic Levi's 501s."
Report on Leather
We think these three leather blazers will brighten your day.
