Style tips: Saddle-up for winter

If anyone were to take a look through my wardrobe they would immediately see that I'm a summer girl. The darker, sombre colour palettes of many winter collections don't tend to inspire me, and the necessary warm layers  drown my petite figure. However, there is one reason I love winter - I get to pull out my leather jackets. Soft, buttery leather not only looks amazing but keeps you snug and warm, too. Invest in pieces in enduring cuts and you'll cherish them for years to come. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to wear leather and how to get the most out of you favourite pieces.
Leather's hot, not heavy

Winter after winter, the biker chick look continues to grace the international runways. While most of us would have to blow our life savings to get our hands on one of Balmain's iconic leather pieces, there are plenty of affordable options available here in New Zealand. One of the best pieces of leather I've ever bought was  from a chain store and cost less than $200 - a black biker-esque, cropped leather jacket that fits like a dream. The biker chick look doesn't have to say 80s nor does it have to be overtly masculine. Instead look for pieces with subtle feminine
touches - soft leather jackets with pleats and ruffles are perfect. A cropped biker jacket with zip detailing looks fabulous over almost anything and adds a hip touch of rock 'n' roll instantly.
Protect your skin
Finding the perfect leather piece is one thing, but caring for it is another. Good quality leather will last you a lifetime provided you give it the TLC it deserves. It's important to always hang your leather away after you've finished wearing it. Use shaped or padded coat hangers to maintain the shape of your jacket. With winter comes rain, so it's always a possibility your leather could get wet. Dry damp leather by laying it flat. Applying heat will suck up the leather's oils and leave it hard and cracked. If your leather does become hard, invest in a leather conditioner
or cleaning oils, which will give the leather more movement.

Pressing issues
To avoid an instant disaster, never, ever iron leather directly. Using a cool iron, place a 100 per cent cotton cloth between the iron and the leather and gently press out creases, while remembering not to leave the iron on the garment for too long. Steam can also be used to get rid of wrinkles - hang your piece in your bathroom as you shower. Like ironing, cleaning leather needs to be approached in the same delicate manner. Cleaning can change the colour of leather dramatically, so make sure you always take it to a professional cleaner that you know
and trust.
Finished leather can be cleaned at home - however, it can be a dangerous game, so always use extreme caution and patience. Using a damp cloth, softly rub saddle soap into the leather. Wipe the lather away gently and allow the garment to dry naturally.
Follow these simple tips and your leather will become one of your winter wardrobe's most trustworthy essentials.

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