Leather Vest Ideas

Tough

• If you're looking for something a little on the biker chic side, a black leather vest over a white T-shirt and jeans is a classic look. Alternatively, a blouse and black leather vest over leather slacks or a leather skirt in a contrasting color, such as white or red, makes a bold fashion statement.
  
  

Refined

• The same black leather vest can be worn with a billowy white poet's shirt and green slacks for a Renaissance look. A little lace at the cuffs adds a romantic touch. If you want a more structured look, you might opt for a high-collared shirt under the vest and a tweedy jacket and slacks for an English equestrian look.
  
  

Country Western

• A leather vest -- especially if it's fringed -- can be worn with a plaid shirt over jeans and boots for a country-western look. Some country-western stars pair a leather vest with a jean or leather jacket for a more dressed-up variation of this look. A tooled-leather vest is a distinctively country-western look, especially for men. Paired with details like silver conchos and ties, a tooled-leather vest is classic cowboy couture.
  
  

Hippie

• A loose, long leather vest can be worn over ragged jeans or a flowing, floor-length cotton skirt for a retro hippie look. A long leather vest can also be belted over a flowing skirt or loose slacks for a layered look. It can also be paired with a shorter skirt and boots, or even a pair of jean shorts and boots.
  
  

Patchwork

• In the '70s, patchwork leather was all the rage. If you're going for a '70s retro look, wear a vest of patchwork leather in different colors. This look works well with skinny jeans, but for the most authentic recreation, pair it with bell bottoms, a long-sleeved knit top and platform shoes.
  
  

Explorer Chic

• A long, battered leather vest, worn over khakis and a loose white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, has been popularized in many movies; it is portrayed as a kind of unofficial uniform for Americans working in the bush, such as scientists, photojournalists, missionaries and writers. If you're getting in touch with your inner adventurer, pair this look with a retro watch, slouchy moccasins or hiking boots...beat-up felt fedora optional.