The Best Faux Leather Pants for Women over 40

I bought my first pair of faux leather pants when I was 20.

Bri was living in Boston for grad school, and I visited him for a long weekend. One morning, while he was in class, I went shopping and stumbled upon a pair of straight-leg faux leather pants on sale. At the time, they felt like the coolest thing I’d ever bought—and spending $100 as a broke college student in the early 2000s was a huge splurge.

Looking back, those pants were the first piece of clothing that truly felt like me. They marked the beginning of my style evolution, mixing preppy with a bit of edge.

Today, faux leather pants are having another major moment and proving to be more versatile than ever. But finding the perfect pair that strikes the right balance of style, comfort, and sophistication can be tricky. Luckily, I found the only pair you’ll need.

This season, the J.Crew High-rise Bootcut Pant in Faux Leather stands out. These pants are phenomenal—they have an incredibly flattering fit, a luxurious feel, and transition seamlessly from day to night.

Available in sizes 23 – 37 in classic, petite, and tall. I’m 5’10 and am wearing the size 28 regular. Some of the reviews say these run small, but I think they run true.

I’m going back for the brown.

These pants are incredibly versatile—you can style them in countless ways. The best approach is to treat them like your go-to black pants, but with an elevated edge. I love making them the focal point of an outfit, pairing them with updated classics that let the rich texture of the pants take center stage.

Last week, I wore them during our trip to Boston. They took me from a cozy dinner date at 23 & Grill with Bri to drinks with friends later that evening, effortlessly stylish all the way through.

When I bought the pants, I also picked up this Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck Sweater. Despite my height, I don’t have a particularly long torso, so the cropped cut works perfectly with high-waisted pants. You can opt for any simple sweater that suits your style, but I love the combination of faux leather and cashmere. Mixing luxe fabrics like this creates visual interest and adds dimension to your look through contrasting textures.

The boots and accessories I wore were already in my closet.

These sock boots from Amazon are fantastic. I bought them in October 2022, wear them regularly, and they still look and feel brand new. For under $70, it’s hard to recommend anything else. If your budget allows, I suggest grabbing them in both black and brown.

You’ve likely seen this bag a million times—it’s a small, fun occasion bag that only costs $30. I have it in three colors and always get compliments when I carry it.

Lastly, my bracelets are also recent Amazon finds I’ve featured over the past few weeks. I wore this geometric bracelet and a set of three that adds a nice touch to any outfit.