A Guide to the Best Leathers for Fashion in 2025
Leather continues to be one of the most iconic and versatile materials in fashion, capable of combining luxury, durability, and timeless style. Every year, new trends redefine its use and craftsmanship, pushing designers and consumers to experiment with both precious materials and sustainable solutions. In 2025, trends aim to balance tradition and innovation , favoring high-quality leathers, original textures, and eco-friendly alternatives.
This guide will help you discover the most popular leathers in 2025, focusing on their use in bags, shoes, clothing, and accessories, and providing practical advice for choosing high-quality materials in the European context.
Why leather in fashion remains a timeless classic
Leather is a symbol that spans generations. It is loved because it combines durability, elegance, and versatility . Emerging fashion houses and brands continue to reinterpret it with new artisanal techniques, technological innovations, and fused styles.
Leather continues to be one of the most iconic and versatile materials in fashion, capable of combining luxury, durability, and timeless style . It's more than just a material: it's a symbol that spans generations and continues to renew itself through ever-new techniques, processes, and interpretations.
Every year, runways and collections redefine the role of leather, presenting it in variations ranging from the most precious materials to eco-innovative solutions. Emerging fashion houses and brands reinterpret it with ever-changing approaches, focusing on artisanal workmanship, technological innovation, and stylistic crossovers.
What are the 2025 leather trends in Europe and Italy?
In 2025, three key values will prevail in Italy and Europe: quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability . Italian and European designers and brands are experimenting with precious leathers, innovative textures, and eco-friendly alternatives to create trendy garments and accessories.
What is the reason for the return of exotic leathers?
Exotic leathers are once again conquering runways and luxury collections. Among the most popular are crocodile, ostrich, and eel , perfect for high-end bags and shoes. These materials, in addition to lending an exclusive look, represent an iconic choice for those seeking unique garments and accessories, following the trend of a return to classic luxury and craftsmanship.
Ostrich leather , in particular, remains a key player: from the sculptural bags reinterpreted by Bottega Veneta to the structured styles by Prada and Fendi, it is one of the most coveted materials in the fashion houses' new collections. Milan, the capital of Italian fashion, sees a return of precious materials on the runways of the Fall/Winter 2025 collections, while Paris confirms the luxury trend with iconic and refined styles.
Suede: The '70s Revival That Still Conquers
Suede remains one of the most popular leathers for 2025, especially for fall/winter collections, thanks to its versatility and timeless appeal. Soft to the touch and characterized by a velvety texture, this material exudes elegance and comfort, making it perfect for those seeking a refined yet practical style.
The resurgence of '70s fashion has helped bring suede back to the forefront: fringed jackets, soft coats, and tailored suede trousers are among the most popular pieces on the Milan and Paris runways. Footwear is no exception: suede ankle boots, loafers, and sneakers are must-haves of the 2025 collections, often paired with warm, earthy hues reminiscent of nature.
Another strength of suede is its ability to adapt to different styles: in luxury collections it is tinged with sophisticated shades like burgundy or midnight blue, while in more casual lines it favors neutral and easy-to-match colors.
Credits: Launchmetrics SpotlightWhy Vegetable Leather is the Ethical Choice for 2025
Sustainability is a key driver of fashion in 2025, and vegetable-tanned leather continues to be one of the most popular options among designers and consumers concerned about environmental impact. This type of leather is treated with natural tannins extracted from wood, bark, leaves, and fruit, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals. The process not only reduces pollution but also lends the material a distinctive authenticity, with warm, natural tones that evolve over time, taking on a unique and personal patina.
Vegetable-tanned leather is highly sought after for the production of bags, wallets, belts, and small accessories, where the combination of craftsmanship and durability makes all the difference. Its aesthetic characteristics are a perfect match for 2025's color trends, which favor understated, earthy, and harmonious hues. However, bolder experiments are also underway: many fashion houses have introduced colors made with natural pigments and innovative treatments that expand creative possibilities without compromising sustainability.
Shearling and faux fur: warm and trendy must-haves
Shearling continues to dominate the fashion scene in 2025, confirming its position as one of the most popular materials for the entire fall-winter season. Shearling coats, jackets, and accessories combine warmth, softness, and style , becoming a key element in both luxury and more affordable collections. European and Italian designers have reinterpreted this classic material with a modern twist, adding tailored details, contemporary cuts, and sophisticated color combinations. 
Credits: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Gorunuway.com
Is Leopard Print Still a Leather Trend?
Leopard print reaffirms its position as one of 2025's most iconic motifs, enhancing any garment or accessory. No longer limited to eccentric outfits, this pattern finds its way onto jackets, bags, shoes, and coats, lending personality and character to any look. Italian and European fashion houses have experimented with color combinations, pairing leopard with neutral tones or bright details for a modern and versatile look. The pattern remains timeless, capable of combining boldness and sophistication, and confirms itself as the perfect ally for those seeking a distinctive and trendy element in their fall/winter wardrobe.
Which Colors, Finishes, and Textures Dominate Leather Fashion in 2025?
Experimentation with color and texture is one of the distinctive features of leather in 2025. Let's look at the main trends.
Colors and Finishes
In 2025, color research applied to leather takes center stage, transforming every garment or accessory into a distinctive style element. The most popular shades follow warm, earthy palettes, reminiscent of nature with shades like sand, camel, tobacco, and forest green. The dominance of brown seen in past seasons shows no signs of abating.
Alongside these more traditional choices, intense and bold hues, such as cherry red or midnight blue, are also gaining popularity, adding character to fall/winter collections. Italian and European fashion houses are also experimenting extensively with metallic shades , capable of lending brightness and a futuristic touch to bags and shoes, and with glossy finishes that emphasize the luxury effect.
There's no shortage of more sober finishes, such as matte and soft-touch surfaces, which convey a discreet elegance and are perfectly suited to a minimalist wardrobe. The real trend for 2025, however, is the play on contrasts : combining matte leathers with shiny details, or alternating smooth surfaces with textured surfaces to create visual and tactile dynamism.
What innovative textures are emerging in leather fashion?
The 2025 trend is a mix of textures and materials , alternating smooth and textured surfaces for a dynamic look. In 2025, leather becomes a field of creative research, with innovative textures and workmanship enriching garments and accessories. Fashion houses are increasingly focusing on innovative textures, capable of adding depth and personality to garments and accessories.
Among the most popular finishes are embossing and 3D prints, which reproduce geometric or floral motifs, or even textures inspired by nature, such as bark and stone. Reptile-print leathers āpython, crocodile, and lizardāare also making a strong comeback, interpreted both in classic styles and in contrasting colors for a bold, contemporary effect.
At the same time, soft and velvety surfaces are gaining ground, such as those obtained with processes that recall the sensation of nubuck or suede , ideal for clothing and accessories inspired by the Seventies, one of the key trends of the season.
Another significant trend is the combination of materials and textures: combining smooth, shiny leathers with rough or hammered parts, or playing with contrasting exotic leather inserts.
The result is a landscape rich in possibilities, where artisanal tradition and innovation coexist, offering designers infinite creative combinations.
What are the most popular leathers for bags, shoes, and accessories in 2025?
Each type of leather lends itself to specific uses based on characteristics such as resistance, softness, or aesthetic appeal. Here's an overview of the most popular leathers in 2025 for the various fashion sectors:
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Bags : crocodile and ostrich leather, symbols of exclusivity and timeless luxury.
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Shoes : calfskin and suede, combining strength and comfort.
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Clothing : nappa and vegetable-tanned leather, soft and versatile, ideal for jackets and outerwear.
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Accessories : printed and embossed leather, perfect for adding character and originality.
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Innovations : bio-leathers and technological treatments, destined to grow in the sustainable fashion sector
| Use | Recommended Leathers | Main Features |
| Bags | Crocodile, Ostrich | Prestige, exclusivity, long-lasting |
| Shoes | Calfskin, Suede | Resistance, comfort, casual elegance |
| Clothing | Nappa, Vegetable Leather | Softness, versatility, sustainability |
| Accessories | Printed leather, Embossed leather | Originality, unique textures, bold style |
| Innovations | Bio-leather, high-tech treatments | Sustainability, advanced aesthetic research |
Where to Buy Quality Leather Online
If 2025 marks a decisive return to leather as a premium material for fashion, Zerow is the go-to platform for those looking to purchase premium leathers online . The marketplace offers a vast catalog of recovered and deadstock leathers , sourced from the stocks of major fashion houses and carefully selected to ensure certified origin and high standards.
From exotic skins to suede, from vegetable-tanned leather to the most innovative prints, the variety available allows designers, artisans, and brands to choose unique materials capable of combining luxury, creativity, and sustainability.
