Leather and suede are taking center stage in the upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 season, with designers showcasing a range of textures and styles across womenswear and menswear. The oversized leather jacket stands out, with brands like Saint Laurent and Chanel presenting their unique interpretations.
According to reports, leather dominates runway discussions. Tom Ford offers a sharper, cropped version, while Khaite features croc leather coats and cropped bombers with frog closures. Burberry’s Daniel Lee introduces leather trench coats and textured moto jackets. Balenciaga, under Demna Gvasalia, showcases colored leather jackets in red, green, and purple.
Suede transitions from accent to staple, with a palette shift from black to chocolate brown, cognac, tan, and olive. Altuzarra pairs suede trousers with a fur-trimmed leather layer. In footwear, Jil Sander presents pre-dirtied suede boots for a rugged look, while Chanel offers second-skin boots with cap toes.
Animal-inspired details evolve, with croc-embossed leather gaining prominence, described as the new snake print. Chanel’s Virginie Viard features the flap bag in high-shine croc-embossed leather in cherry red and khaki green. Leopard print remains popular, appearing in olive green and croc embossing on boots. Footwear highlights include Isabel Marant’s zebra-print ankle boots, Fendi’s snakeskin pumps, and Marni’s calf hair sandals.
In menswear, the leather total look trends strongly. Tod’s creative director Matteo Tamburini uses soft, lightweight leather for bomber jackets and field jackets. The Gommino driving shoe is reimagined as ankle boots and desert boots in suede and hand-brushed leather. Tactile materials like suede, velvet, corduroy, and fur pair with tweeds and plaids.
Indian brands incorporate suede as an accent, suitable for milder winters. Hidesign expands suede across bags and small leather goods. Da Milano includes supple suede in its Spring Summer ’26 collection. Bhaane adds suede to jacket collars and pocket trims, while Ritu Kumar uses suede-like textures in structured jackets. Faux-suede and croc-effect finishes allow mid-market labels to join the trend.
Animal-Inspired Trends Expand Beyond Leopard Print
Olive green leopard print and croc-embossed boots also appeared on the runway.
Footwear designers explored various animal-inspired patterns. Jil Sander, Khaite, and Saint Laurent updated their footwear with modern animal prints and silhouettes.
Menswear followed suit, with Tod’s showcasing soft, lightweight leather jackets and reimagined driving shoes in suede and hand-brushed leather.
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