Written by Tania Braukamper
It's no great secret that the humble leather jacket has become a wide-spread wardrobe staple over the last few Winters. As a fashion trend in 2010, however, women's leather clothing is being taken to a whole new level.

Leather in 2010 can take the form of pretty much any item of clothing. If you can name it the odds are that someone's sent it down the runway in leather. Pants, skirts, shorts, coats, capes, vests; they're all there. Hermes even pulled out a full leather jumpsuit as part of their aviation-themed collection.
Lara Stone is a bad girl by Philip Riches
Runway spectacular: leather trend
Freja Beha Erichsen wears leather
Street style: studded leather skirt
Marloes Horst: leather warrior
Street style: leather trend, Paris
Victoria Beckham wears leather
Ekaterina Mukhina, leather, Paris
Leather, bondage & masked superheros
Street style: short leather in London
Leather clothing for i-D Magazine
Emmanuelle Alt street style: leather, Milan
The leather stiletto gaiter in Velvet Magazine
Pirelli calendar features naked models
Leighton Meester breaks away in leather
Leighton Meester: all sexed up in leather
Kristen Stewart in the leather trend
Street style: leather skirt, Paris
Ali Stephens versus Batman: who wears leather better?
Olga Kurylenko dons leather for Campari
Street style: leather cape, Paris
Eniko Mihalik bewitching in leather
Kate Moss rocks a leather dress at PFW
Leather trend in Balmain Spring/Summer 2010
Street style: leather pants, pregnancy chic at PFW
Victoria Beckham in Dsquared2 leather pants
Agent Provocateur: New World Order collection
Kate Moss wears the leather trend in Vogue UK
Leighton Meester in leather pants by Phi
Natasha Poly + leather + TH-boots: perfect
Angelina Jolie in a leather Michael Kors dress
Daria Werbowy for Flare Canada, September 2009
Abbey Lee Kershaw rocks leather for Vogue Nippon
Hannah Marshall leather dresses
Victoria Beckham in Balmain leather jacket
With lingerie as outerwear a major fashion trend, it's no surprise that this trend will move into the realm of leather underwear. Bondage elements like harnesses and leather straps are creeping their way into mainstream fashion; while the likes of even Yves Saint Laurent have seen daring leather corsetry pieces hit the runway.
Es-Trella's to-die-for leather cage top
While of course leather bags and belts are nothing new, leather in other types of accessories will, in 2010, be much more common. Leather leggings were huge on the Autumn(Fall)/Winter 2010 runways.
High-waisted leather leggings from Aritzia
While 2009 fashion color trends featured a vast array on leather colours, the leather in 2010 will revolve around monochromatic and earthy tones.
Yes, Elise Overland's 2010 collection may feature the likes of teal-green, but such colours are never going to find mass appeal.
Rather, expect to see a big comeback for grey leather, precipitated in part by Rodarte and their grey thigh-high boots. Black is, of course, a safe and unwavering option though if you're after a country-inspired looks opt for tans and browns.
Looking for a little inspiration for this 2010's women's leather fashion trend? Click on the thumbnails below to peruse the full sized pictures. You'll find everything from leather jackets to leather mini-dresses.
Written: 1st August 2009 at 16.33