The Chicest Jewelry To Wear With A Leather Jacket
Leather jackets are a staple of a stylish wardrobe and an ideal canvas for fine jewelry, creating the perfect high-low contrast that lets precious metals and diamonds sing. Need some styling tips? SARAH ROYCE-GREENSILL has the lowdown…
A leather blazer
The satin-like texture of Jade Trau’s brushed-gold and diamond designs complements buttery-soft leather, and her ‘paperclip’ chains add an industrial edge to a tailored jacket. Parisian brand Viltier, meanwhile, combines diamonds with onyx or mother-of-pearl in its signature magnet-shaped motif.
Mixed metals are making a comeback and lend themselves well to the ’90s aesthetic – Spinelli Kilcollin’s cult-favorite ‘Galaxy’ rings combine sterling silver with 18-karat yellow and rose gold, plus a smattering of diamonds.
A black leather blazer is also a luxurious centerpiece to a monochrome look. Maintain the simplicity with blackened gold and diamond jewelry – check out Delfina Delettrez’s single earrings for daytime, or Shay’s interlocking-link pair that are embellished with more than 2.5 carats of diamonds for pared-back evening glamour.
A leather biker jacket
Inextricably linked with a rock ’n’ roll and punk aesthetic, leather bikers call for jewelry with a rebellious streak. Ear cuffs toughen up a nonchalant outfit: Anissa Kermiche and Maria Tash both string the upper ear with fine gold chains, while David Morris’ 18-karat white-gold ear cuff proves that even romantic rose-cut diamonds can have attitude.
“A leather biker jacket calls for jewelry that is cool and powerful,” says Anita Ko, who champions the daily wearing of diamonds. “I would wear a large statement necklace or a stack of diamond chokers. Pair your leather jacket with a slip dress and you can layer dainty pendants and a long diamond lariat.”
London-based designer Diane Kordas wears her favorite Saint Laurent leather biker jacket with her elevated take on a dog tag strung between pearls and adorned with a protective evil eye. “In ancient history, leather was used to fortify armor, which is exactly how I feel when I wear my leather jacket,” she says. “The evil eye channels the mythology of Ancient Greece in a cool and glamorous way. It’s an understated way to feel strong and protected.”
A leather flight jacket
Whether in classic black by Chloé, mint green by Stand Studio or Remain Birger Christensen’s hot pink, an oversized leather flight jacket is a sumptuous addition to your weekend wardrobe. Its vintage vibe is an excuse to add a pop of color to your jewelry: look to Marie Lichtenberg’s psychedelic enameled locket or Melissa Kaye’s fluoro hoops.
“Once you throw on a perfectly aged leather jacket, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing underneath; what really matters are the jewels,” says Anna Amsalem, co-founder of New York-based label Gemella. “I love layering our beaded ‘Sweetheart’ necklaces, which won’t get lost beneath an oversized jacket – the charm adds some femininity to an edgy look.”
Almasika’s pink-sapphire-embellished ‘Berceau’ cuff and ‘Le Grand Cauri’ necklace offer a subtle way to complement or clash with a colored flight jacket. Founder Catherine Sarr likes to stack her jewelry high: “There is something empowering about a leather jacket that I want to replicate with strong, bold jewelry,” she says. “I like to wear a stack of bracelets, several chain necklaces and sculptural rings; even when I pile it on, it’s still a casual, contemporary look that mirrors the effortlessness of leather.”
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