Leather goes year-round

As unexpected in spring as snowflakes, leather hides have appeared in paper-thin, supple, laser-cut, ruched, draped and tattoo-printed pastels and jewel tones.

“Thanks to new techniques, leather has become perfect year-round, making it a great investment,” says Bloomingdale’s fashion director Stephanie Solomon.

We can bank on the material that never pills yet takes spills. Like shoes, leather can be waterproofed and cleaned with a damp sponge. Already omnipresent in white, black and caramel, leather toughens a tender and girly spring with boldness that will flow into next fall, Solomon says. This season, Theory touts periwinkle anoraks, Cynthia Rowley lattice-weave T’s, Just Cavalli slacks, Tommy Hilfiger wrap skirts, Walt Adler bracelets and more.

Let the weather guide whether you bare limbs in strappy heels and a tank top or don tights, boots and chunky sweaters, Solomon says.

“But one thing’s for sure,” Solomon declares. “Leather always looks chic.”