Faux leather leggings were one of my OG blog topics in, like…2014. 😳 I’ve worn them constantly for a decade – they were my postpartum secret weapon, my winter night-out staple, and the only bottoms that made even Moon Boots feel cute. But lately? Leggings have started to feel a little dated. Not enough to ditch them completely…but enough that I’ve been craving a modern legging alternative for winter.
Enter: wide-leg faux-leather pants. When Commando dropped this pair, I ordered all three colors, immediately. And? Wow. They’re sleek, sculpting, comfortable, and have that same badass energy as faux-leather leggings…just way more current. Basically, they’re the perfect legging alternative for winter.
Why Wide-Leg Faux Leather Pants Are the Best Legging Alternative
pants (m, also at Nordstrom) | sweater (s, more colors at Nordstrom) | bag (also in camel leather with gold studs 😍)
Commando’s wide-leg, faux-leather pants come in three colors: classic black (kept), oxblood (wearing here), and a dark brown that’s gorgeous but ended up too close to the oxblood on me. I’m wearing a size M here, and they definitely run long – the inseam is 32.5″, which is great for tall boots or platforms, but I already booked a hem appointment so I can wear them with regular heels.
How I’m Styling Wide-Leg Faux Leather Pants This Season (A Fresh Update to My OG Faux Leather Leggings)
These wide-leg faux leather pants bring the same cool, sculpting vibe as leggings, but feel fresher and more modern – and they’ve been surprisingly fun to build outfits around. For the holidays, I’m loving them with a monochromatic, moody mix of textures: smooth faux leather in oxblood, a ribbed off-the-shoulder sweater, Farm Rio’s gorgeous floral suede bag in merlot, and burgundy shadow + lips to tie everything together. It’s cohesive without being matchy, festive without being “holiday sweater,” and the exact update my winter outfits needed.
pants (m, also at Nordstrom) | sweater (s, more colors at Nordstrom) | bag (also in camel leather with gold studs 😍)
You guys have seen me wear off-the-shoulder sweaters again and again because…they just work. They cover the girls but still show a little skin, and they instantly feel more glam than a standard crewneck. This one in particular is good — the banded hem keeps the drape looking intentional (not sloppy) and gives you some shape without constant adjusting.
bag | pants (m, also at Nordstrom) | sweater (s, more colors at Nordstrom)
For reference, I’m wearing it with a strapless bra in these photos, but I also love layering it over my Hanro Allure brami when I want a bit more support or just don’t feel like dealing with a strapless. The straps of the brami are thin enough that they don’t detract from the off-the-shoulder vibe, and the cami adds a little extra coverage when it’s freezing out.
This bag deserves its own moment. I spotted it while browsing Saks and fell instantly, hopelessly in love. It’s definitely a little splurgey, but the suede petals are what got me…they’re gorgeous and sculptural and make the whole thing feel more like wearable art than a typical handbag.
pants (m, also at Nordstrom) | sweater (s, more colors at Nordstrom) | bag
It fits my phone (a must), and I love that the magnetic closure sits opposite the handles — it gives the bag that cool bracelet-like circle shape and keeps it from gaping open. It’s one of those rare pieces that elevates any outfit, and when I showed it to Shana and Gwen they both swooned just as hard as I did. (It also comes in a gorgeous camel smooth leather version with gold stud detailing and a multi-colored version that are both just as fabulous!)
eyeshadow palette (Bella Sofia, on sale at Nordstrom!)
To top everything off, I went for a dramatic makeup moment with warm burgundy shades on my eyes and lips. Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Eyeshadow Palettes have been favorites of mine for years because the colors are vivid, the pigments are intense, and they’re so easy to apply. Each shade is labeled with exactly where it should go, so you just follow the steps and end up with a gorgeous smoky eye every time. All of the color combinations are beautiful and come with four coordinating shades, but this one might be my all-time favorite – Bella Sofia (on sale right now!).
lip liner (pillow talk deep) | gloss (million dollar baby)
And to play with all the textures in the outfit, I finished with glossy burgundy lips. Since colder weather can be so drying, I skipped traditional lipstick and went with my favorite lip-liner-and-gloss combo instead. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat liners are always in rotation for me, and I recently tried a newer shade in the Pillow Talk lineup — Pillow Talk Deep. It looks intensely dark, but once you smudge it out and layer Lancôme’s super-hydrating JuicyTreat Lip Gloss with Squalane on top, it becomes the perfect not-too-dark burgundy that still feels soft and wearable. And that gloss? It feels SO good on the lips.
pants (m, also at Nordstrom) | sweater (s, more colors at Nordstrom) | bag
The pants also come in classic black (kept!) and a dark brown (pretty but too similar to the oxblood, so back they went). If you’ve been wanting something with that same faux-leather vibe but updated for now, this whole look feels fresh, a little festive, and honestly just fun to wear. A perfect swap for those faux-leather legging looks.
XOXO,
Scotti
photo credit: shalimar b photography
