Faux leather in the office still gets raised eyebrows. I get asked about it more than any other workwear fabric, and my answer is usually the same: the styling does the talking, not the material.
Today’s radar pick settles the argument. An A-line maxi skirt in faux leather from Vince Camuto — featured on Frugal Friday’s workwear report — at $39.97 from Nordstrom Rack, in sizes S–XL. The A-line is a classic, unforgiving silhouette: it reads sharp, not costume, which is exactly what you want in a room full of spreadsheets.
The office test
Here’s how I’d make it work. The trick with any faux leather piece is to keep the top deliberately soft and quiet — I’d reach for a silky blouse in a neutral tone and keep the accessories conservative. That contrast is the whole trick: one assertive line in the outfit, everything else on mute.
One honest caveat: I don’t see this in petite sizes. Unless you want to spend a fair bit on a hem, this one is really for the taller frame. Check the size run before you fall in love with it.
Worth It or Skip It
Worth it — if you’re tall enough to wear it as intended. A-line maxi in faux leather for $39.97, available in grey, navy and merlot, is a genuinely low-risk way to bring one assertive piece into a workwear capsule. Pair it with a soft top and it earns its spot without shouting.
Trend Signal: quiet assertiveness at the desk
The signal I’m tracking this season: one structured, slightly daring piece carrying an otherwise minimal outfit. It’s cheaper to follow than the micro-trends and it reads far more intentional than chasing three loud items at once. A leather-look maxi skirt is the cleanest example of the formula — keep the rest of the equation simple and let the silhouette do the work.
Friday’s sales worth a look
The report I’m drawing from also ran a sales list — these were live on the day it was published (9/11), so check what’s still on before you assume they’re gone:
- Nordstrom — end of season clearance, up to 50% off
- Ann Taylor — 30% off your purchase + extra 15% off when you spend $200
- Anthropologie — extra 50% off sale; the reader-favourite wide leg pants are down to a lucky few sizes in some colours
- Athleta — 30% off select styles + extra 30% off sale
- AYR — archive sale, up to 60% off
- Boden — 15% off new styles, including the dresses readers keep flagging
- CVS — beauty sale, $10 off when you spend $30
- Design Within Reach — semiannual sale, 25% off everything (the Aeron and Sayl are the ones I’d check first)
- J.Crew — up to 40% off select styles
- J.Crew Factory — 50% off in stores, plus an extra 10% off when you buy a pair of jeans
- Me & Em — up to 60% off, with new lines added exclusively online
- M.M.LaFleur — Labour Day Sale Event, sitewide savings (code CORPORETTE15 was offering a further 15% off other items via the source blog)
- Nordstrom Rack — extra 40% off select clearance
- Talbots — buy one, get 50% off everything
- Theory — end of season sale is on
Most of these are US-based, so if you’re in the UK or EU, treat it as inspiration for what to hunt for locally rather than a shopping list.
FAQ
Is faux leather really office-appropriate? It is, when the cut is clean and everything else in the outfit stays quiet. An A-line maxi with a soft blouse passes in almost any office I can picture.
I’m petite — can I still wear this skirt? You’d need a hem, and that’s real money on a $39.97 purchase. If the alteration cost makes it more than half the price, skip it and look for a leather-look midi in your length instead.
What colours should I get? Grey is the easy workhorse; navy and merlot are in the range too. For a first leather-look piece, the neutral is the lower-risk choice.
A note from Sophie: I’ve donated trend purchases I was too excited about — this one wouldn’t make that pile. The shape does the work, and the price means the mistake is cheap. That’s the radar test.
Stay on the signal — Sophie