I was cleaning out my closet a couple of weeks ago and I found this black leather mini skirt I literally forgot I owned. I bought it on clearance probably 5 or more years ago and I never wore it. At the time, I remember buying it because it was such a great price for real leather. Although a pleated mini skirt isn’t something I’d wear all too often, it is a classic style that comes in and out of trend every couple of years. Lucky for me, I found this black pleated mini skirt just as mini skirts are back in fashion.

{Stacey’s Look: Skirt (real leather; vegan option); Top (similar); Boots (similar); Bag; Lip Color}

What is Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather is either plant-based or man-made material that mimics the effects of real leather. Some vegan leather is made out of pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, or recycled plastic.

Is Vegan Leather Better for the Environment?

This is a complicated question. Vegan leather, when made from plant-based materials, is better for the environment. Vegan leather production can be up to 1/3 lower in environmental impacts than real leather. The reason why real leather is worse for the environment than plant-based vegan leather is due to the emissions associated with animal agriculture. The livestock sector contributes to climate change, issues with water management and loss of biodiversity. For example, Brazil is a major cattle producer. In order to produce more cattle, they have created significant deforestation, which leads to biodiversity loss and climate change.

Other vegan leathers are made out of plastics. These types of products are actually worse for the environment than real leather because plastic does not degrade quickly and it releases toxic chemicals into the environment. If you are going to buy vegan leather, opt for plant-based materials, not those made out of polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which have terrible environmental impacts.

Real Leather Vs. Vegan Leather

The choice between real vs. vegan leather depends on several factors. A major factor for many consumers is the cost. Vegan leather is significantly less expensive than real leather. However, cheaper doesn’t usually mean better. Real leather will last you for years. Vegan leather may or may not. When it comes to handbags and shoes, I would definitely opt for real leather. They look better and will last you a very long time. But if you’re looking to jump on a trend, such as the leather shackets that were cool this year, then I’d opt for a vegan version.

How I Styled A Black Leather Mini Skirt

When it comes to styling your leather skirt, it depends a lot on the style of the skirt. If it’s a pleated mini like mine, it would look really great with a cropped cardigan, or a cropped top like I’m wearing. You could also add a hip-length blazer for more of a schoolgirl look. A chunky sweater might also work since the skirt is so short and you’re showing a lot of leg. I chose to wear really high boots because I didn’t want to show off too much leg. This is quite a short skirt for me. I normally wear knee-length or midi-length skirts, so for my own comfort level, I wanted to cover up a bit.

Another option would be to wear tights with pumps or chunkier shoes (like combat boots) for an edgier look. You could also wear socks with heels, which would look really cute with this pleated mini skirt.  If you’re wearing more of an a-line skirt, you’ll just want to make sure your proportions work. I’d still opt for a tucked-in or cropped top. a straight cardigan might work if it hits above the bottom of the skirt. There are a lot of different ways you could style a mini leather skirt, just make sure you pay attention to your proportions. You want to balance how much skin you’re showing and also pick one area of your body to accentuate. I chose a fitted top since the skirt is quite flowy with the leather pleats. 

How to Care For Your Leather Skirt

Real leather does require some care. Especially when it comes to my bags and jackets, I like to use a leather cleaner and also a leather conditioner. This guide is very comprehensive for how to care for leather. Rather than rewriting what they wrote, this is a great resource for you. I have to admit I didn’t take great care of this black pleated mini skirt. You can see it has some pretty serious wrinkles because I didn’t have it folded nicely or hanging properly. Definitely always hang your leather so it drapes and doesn’t end up with creases like my skirt.

If you’re considering adding a black leather mini skirt or vegan leather mini skirt to your wardrobe, here are some of my favorites. If you’re looking for more leather posts, click here or vegan leather posts, click here.

Where to Buy the Perfect Black Leather Mini Skirt

If you’re looking for very affordable options, you’ll want to opt for vegan leather. Stores like Asos, Forever 21, and Aritzia, have very affordable options. If you’re looking for a real leather mini skirt, then you will want to check out stores such as Bloomingdales, Revolve, or Intermix.

Leather Mini Skirts I Love