This Luxe Basic Is the Key to an Expensive-Looking Fall Outfit Every Time

Question: Have you ever woken up on a crisp morning and thought to yourself, What on earth am I supposed to wear? Admittedly, as much as we look forward to the fall, once the season begins, we can find ourselves reminiscing about the days when the temperature didn't go from freezing to sweltering in a matter of hours. Choosing an outfit that works for those in-between temperatures and still looks put-together is no easy task, but it's not impossible. The key to surviving the season's erratic temperatures in style lies with one staple: leather skirts. 

Hear me out on this: Leather skirts are the staple that stands the test of time, temperature, and even our temperance. After all, trying to make those trendy pairs of jeans work when you're running late? Not it. Sweating in a sweaterdress in the afternoon sun? Not cute. But slipping into a leather skirt is the happy medium. This piece works perfectly for transitional weather, but its versatility (both in how you can style it and the styles available) makes it ideal for any scenario. On top of that, this staple is far from "basic," as it can make any outfit look more luxe, cool, and overall polished.

In short, leather skirts are one of the best things you can buy. And to prove that point, I've pulled 24 leather-skirt outfits from Instagram to show why this staple is the key to looking (and feeling) great this fall. Keep reading to see why you need this piece in your life, and then shop the best leather skirts on the market right now. 

Leather skirts can dress up even the most basic pieces. Case in point? The look above. Pair your beloved denim jacket and T-shirt with a leather skirt and knee-high boots, and you'll look positively polished. 

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You know those warm fall days when it's too hot to wear a leather jacket, but you still want to wear something fall-inspired? Enter the ensemble above. Style your favorite tank with sandals and a leather miniskirt. 

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A more buttoned-up way to style this fall staple is by embracing the material to the max. Pair a leather top with a leather skirt and boots for a look that screams "luxe" in the best possible way. 

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The great thing about this staple is that it can make your favorite fall staples feel brand new. Simply pair a leather skirt with your favorite oversize sweater, shoulder bag, and Chelsea boots, and you'll look like you bought a whole new outfit (without the charges to your credit card).

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For readers hoping to give their leather miniskirt a more trend-forward feel, take a cue from recent runways and opt for a heavy-leather look. Pair a leather jacket with a T-shirt and a matching leather miniskirt for the ultimate cool-girl look. 

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Who said leathers had to be neutral? If you want to make this staple feel a bit more fun, simply invest in a colorful leather skirt. Bonus points if you pair it with a matching blazer and contrasting accessories to make it pop. 

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Not all leather skirts have to be in a vibrant hue or a micro hemline to make a statement. Simply pairing an a-line or pencil leather skirt with a satin top and heeled sandals will make a subtle statement. 

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Suiting always comes back in style every fall, but if you're looking for a way to make it feel more luxurious, opting for a leather skirt suit is the move. You can go for a casual version with a cropped blazer and mini styled with knee-high boots, or you can of for an office-friendly version with a leather midi and a traditional blazer. 

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Just because leather skirts look opulent doesn't mean you can't wear them off-duty. Pair a leather skirt with a tank top and sneakers for the perfect relaxed fall look. 

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If you've made it this far and are wondering how you can make this staple work for both cold and hot days, allow me to reintroduce you to one pivotal concept: layering. Pair a leather miniskirt with a sweater, blazer, and tights for a look that allows you to stay at the optimal temperature. 

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Even if you live for wearing all-black in the fall and winter, there comes the point where you want to add a little richness to your ensembles. Enter the look above. Pairing your favorite black boots with a simple sweater and a leather skirt that's either patent, crinkled, or textured is a surefire way to add a little depth to your all-black looks. 

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Regarding leather skirts, you don't have to go overboard to let this piece shine. You can style it with something as simple as a halter top and fisherman sandals and it will still scream "rich auntie."

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Planning a big night out on the town? Put on a leather corset with a matching leather miniskirt and knee-high boots, and I can guarantee you'll be painting the town in style. 

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For more modest dressers—or even those who are prone to feeling cold—wearing a leather miniskirt may seem like a hard pass for you, but I beg you to let the outfit above change your mind. Pairing a leather miniskirt with a turtleneck and either leggings, tights, or pants underneath is a great way to make this piece work for your needs. 

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Honestly, does it get more sumptuous than a snakeskin leather skirt? I don't think so. Simply add a great coat and pumps, and you'll look like a million bucks. 

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What two fall staples embody polished energy better than tweed jackets and leather skirts? Pairing them together along with a basic T-shirt and knee-high boots will ensure you look put-together even if you only have five minutes to get ready. 

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Not to sound like a broken record, but just because leather skirts are a fall staple doesn't mean they have to be boring. Take notes from the look above, and don't be afraid to pair your skirt with a brightly printed second-skin top and interesting accessories.

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Again, you don't have to do too much for this staple to look incredibly good. When in doubt, pair your miniskirt with a denim button-down, a shoulder bag, and knee-high boots for a fail-proof fall fit. 

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Is it even really fall if you don't layer? Add some depth to this staple by pairing it with other basics like an oversize button-down, sweater-vest, and loafers. 

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While most may think of leather skirts as polished or preppy, there are ways to make them feel edgy without having to embrace shorter hemlines. Try pairing your leather skirt with a printed sweatshirt, heels, and even a hat for a non-traditional take on styling this staple. 

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Another way you can make this staple not feel "stale" is by styling it with unexpected pieces. Try pairing a later miniskirt with a corset, shrug, and knee-high combat boots for a surprisingly stylish ensemble. 

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If you think less is more, you'll want to screenshot this outfit later. Pairing a turtleneck sweater with a scarf, shoulder bag, Mary Janes, and a leather miniskirt is the perfect way to keep it simple and channel your inner French girl simultaneously. 

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One of the best things about this staple is that it really does lend itself to being a long-term investment, and that's further proven by the above. In those early winter months, and even in the spring when it's cold out but you want to look cute, there's no better thing to wear than a leather skirt, boots, and a puffer jacket. Not only is it chic, but it also gives you more cost per wear for this staple piece. 

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If you haven't realized by now, you can say that I'm biased toward leather skirts—can you blame me, though? Through this story, I hope I've clarified that this wardrobe staple is worth your time. And I can further attest to that because of my own outfit above. Leather skirts are something that I've bought into (and I hope you do too) because it makes every ensemble look more expensive, it's versatile, and most of all they are easy to wear. No matter if you choose to do a color-blocking moment like I did above or want to pair it with a T-shirt and jean jacket, there's no limit to how you can style this piece, making it one of the safest purchases you can make. 

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Next: Sweaterdress Season Is Here—24 Outfits to Replicate ASAP