There's a moment every autumn when we open our closets, spot that leather jacket (or skirt, or those trousers we bought "for when the moment is right") and think: how will I style it?

Leather has a reputation. It can feel tough, a little intimidating, maybe even like it belongs to someone cooler than us. But here's what we've learned styling hundreds of women at Renée: leather is one of the most versatile materials you can own. It's all in how you wear it.

Opposites attract: mix hard with soft

This is our favourite styling rule, and leather is where it shines brightest. Leather is structured, smooth and a little bit bold. Put it next to something soft and the whole look relaxes:

• A leather skirt with a chunky knit
• Leather trousers with a cotton blouse
• A leather jacket over a flowing midi dress

The contrast in textures makes the outfit interesting, and it makes leather feel feminine, warm and grown-up instead of edgy-for-the-sake-of-it.

Go beyond black

Black leather is a classic, but it isn't your only option. This season, look at:

• Cognac and caramel. Warm, easy to wear, and beautiful with denim and cream.
• Chocolate brown. The new neutral. Try it tone-on-tone with camel and beige.
• Bordeaux. Rich and elegant, and surprisingly easy to combine with grey or navy.
• Olive and forest green. Earthy and unexpected.

A little colour science: if you have a low-contrast colouring (soft hair, eyes and skin tones that blend), black leather can feel heavy on you. Warm browns or tone-on-tone looks will harmonise much better with your natural colouring. Not sure where you stand? That's exactly what we look at in a Color Consult.

One hero per look

Leather has presence. Let it be the star. One leather piece per outfit is usually enough. Leather-on-leather can absolutely work, but it's an advanced move: keep the colours close and vary the finish (matte with glossy, or smooth with suede).

Invest once, wear for years

Good leather ages with you. It softens, moulds to your body and develops character. That's why it fits perfectly into a conscious, capsule-minded wardrobe. A few care basics:

• Hang jackets on wide, shaped hangers
• Let leather breathe, so skip the plastic covers
• Condition it once or twice a year
• Treat suede with a protective spray before its first rainy Antwerp day

The bottom line

Leather isn't about being someone else. It's about adding a little confidence and texture to the woman you already are. Start with one piece and one soft counterpart, and see how it feels.

Do you have a styling question for us?  E-mail us via hello@reneeantwerp.com.