3 ways to rock your favorite leather jacket this fall

Hands down, our favorite fall wardrobe staple is a leather jacket. It’s the “cool girl” of our closet, adding a little bit of edge to a jeans-and-T-shirt outfit or lending a little sass when worn over a dress.

From moto styles to collarless zip-ups, leather jackets are fall fashion stand-outs season-after-season. Invest in one great jacket and let it evolve with the trends each year.

Here’s 3 “right now” ways to wear leather jackets this season:

Leather and lace:

One of our fave ways to style an outfit is to have an element of juxtaposition. Mixing sweet lace or florals with an edgy leather does just the trick. For an instant-autumn look, pair a leather moto jacket over your sleeveless lace dresses or your summery floral frocks. Don’t pack away your white dresses just yet. They have staying power through autumn when you mix them with sheer black tights and a black leather jacket. Bonus style points for a pair of ankle booties thrown in the mix.

Style tip: When pairing with a dress, wear a leather jacket that’s cropped, like this Calvin Klein faux-leather open front jacket, to best flatter your figure and lend balance to the outfit. Calvin Klein Faux-Leather Open-Front Cropped Jacket, $59.98 (plus 4% Cash Back), Macys.com 

Jeans and T-shirt:

Elevate an every day jeans-and-T-shirt look by adding in a leather jacket. We especially love the look with a soft vintage-inspired tee and distressed denim. This laid-back look would also look awesome with a plain V-neck tee and dainty necklace. Mixed materials are majorly trending for fall 2015, and we love the added dimension of these marled gray sleeves on this faux leather jacket. Paired with a great tee, you’ve got a laid-back collegiate look — but, you know, without all the midterms and essays.

Style tip: When wearing grays and blacks, pull in autumnal colors on your accessories, like a mustard crossbody bag or oxblood boots. Women’s Mixed Material Jacket Xhilaration, on sale $29.99  (plus .5% Cash Back), Target.com

Go sleeveless:

A leather vest jacket can transform any outfit and is ideal for those autumn days that tend to be more warm than crisp. This Halogen vest has rib-knit sides for a more fitted feel. For an at-work look, pair it over a wrap dress. For a night-out look, mix it with a sheer flowy blouse and some chunky necklaces. Weekend warrior? This leather vest would look great with a flannel and jeans and your messiest bun.

Style tip: Balance out the thick leather with lighter colors or materials, like an airy blouse or a soft neutral color palette on a dress. Halogen Knit Panel Leather Vest, on sale $133.98 (plus up to 3% Cash Back), Nordstrom.com