L IS FOR LEATHER

BY: MELODY LEIBNER

I have always cherished sitting and watching her swipe on mascara and curl her long blonde hair—I dreamed of the day that I could be as savvy as her. I would dance with her scarves as she picked out her outfits, and trace my small fingers over the racks of blouses, blazers, and button-downs. There was one corner of her closet, though, that was always my favorite: her leather jackets. Although I have always viewed my mom as polite and poised, she is also, undoubtedly, a rockstar; when she puts on a leather jacket, there is nothing or nobody that can stop her. Maybe it is the personal connection I have because of my mom, or because half of my wardrobe is black, but I can’t help but love leather like no other.

Just after a week home for Thanksgiving, nothing has changed between my Mom and I. We pull apart her closet for a casual dinner out to pick the perfect leather jacket and boot combination. Thanks to the ever changing fashion world, leather bags, bustiers, pants, and puffers are in the mix now too. The excitement doesn’t end there; mainstream brands including Gucci, Adidas, Stella McCartney, and Hermes are leading the revolution to a completely faux leather industry. Car companies such as Tesla and Mercedes are also following suit by using leatherette, a synthetic leather made from vinyl; the synthetic leather market size is projected to reach $57 billion by 2028.

Regardless of the fast fashion trends, fads, and failures we all encounter, leather will always be a staple in my closet. There is no better feeling than wearing a sleek blazer, my favorite leather pants (shoutout Melinas) and matching leather boots for a timeless look. Whenever I am wearing leather, I look into my reflection and see the rockstar my mom has always taught me to be—the versatile fabric is just the cherry on top.