Leather is one of the most versatile and durable choices for outerwear. But when it comes to women’s fashion, leather can also be stylish and chic. Designers like Pamela McCoy have taken leather from its traditional rustic roots and have transformed it into a sophisticated and stunning look for women.

Leather jackets are not just for motorcycle riders anymore; far from it! Today leather is available in all types of feminine styles that incorporate decorative touches to make them fashionable and trend-setting. These are leather jackets that can take you anywhere you want to go, from the office to an evening out. Find out what all the excitement surrounding leather is about.

What are the colors that immediately come to mind when you think of a leather jacket? If you said black or brown, then it is time to take another look at leather. Today’s ladies’ leather jackets come in a rainbow of colors, from vibrant hues to subtle tints and there’s a color to match every personality.

Pamela McCoy uses the whole color palette to offer women leather jackets for every style or mood. Her Mandarin collar leather jacket comes in Calypso pink and silver grey, while the Sonoma notch collar three button leather jacket is offered in subtle shades of teal and violet. For those looking to try out a bold look, the Pamela McCoy croco-embossed leather jacket comes in a variety of rich colors, such as aloe green, orange cantaloupe, blue denim and white ivory.

However, it is not just color to choose from, patterns and prints also add a designer look to leather. Pamela McCoy’s leather jackets come in a variety of exciting prints. Take for instance her patchwork pattern leather jacket. Here pink, lavender and violet combine to make an artistic statement. Scalloped patterns are actually individually hand cut and sewn to make this not only an attractive looking piece, but also a display of leather craftsmanship.

The eye-catching, envy-inspiring tiger print zip front leather jacket, which also features the luster of a glossy patent finish. Other prints include a richly realistic reptile print, which also is available in many colors.

Embellishments can add an extra feminine touch to a jacket and various decorative elements can create gorgeous looks on leather. The Pamela McCoy appliqué embellished jewel neckline leather jacket gives leather a whole new look. Complete with decorative floral appliqué, rhinestones and studs, this jacket shows just how fashion-forward leather can be. Another example is the embellished scallop trim leather jacket.

This show-stopper combines many different design effects to create a true fashion statement. Examine the intricate detail of this jacket and you will begin to appreciate the labor involved in creating such a complex design. A stud pattern graces the front plackets and bottom hem, creating an almost Swiss eyelet lace pattern. Meanwhile, a dramatic leather ribbon is woven around the waist using bold grommets to create a slimming effect. The look is completed with zip slant pockets at the chest.
Beside the decorative touches and stylish colors, there’s one more very important aspect of leather jackets and that’s the cut and length.

Leather is a great material to work with and the cuts and shaping of leather jackets not only look modern and elegant at the same time, but they also give a very sleek, slenderizing appearance. When you think of the typical bulky coats that round the figure, this benefit of leather is something most women will appreciate in their outerwear. And the best part is that leather jackets come in all lengths and styles, so you can get just the right look for your needs, whether that’s extra warmth or a professional image that you want.

The Pamela McCoy python embossed trench jacket provides length, falling just above the knees. The pleat detail leather swing jacket is slightly shorter and includes flattering styling that creates an appealing silhouette. The A-line cut allows for a little movement and the empire seams gives the coat a classic fit. But there aren’t just long coats to choose from. Pamela McCoy offers a wide variety of shorter jackets like the modern and hip zip detail stand collar leather jacket. This contemporary look has a tailored scuba silhouette that will show off that hourglass figure. Princess seaming and blazer cuts are also available, giving you the chance to sport many different looks in leather.

Leather might be tough, weather-resistant and durable, but it also has a softer side. With designers like Pamela McCoy adding flirty touches to the traditional look, women’s outwear has gotten a lot more exciting. Touches of color, prints, patterns and decorative embellishments combine to make leather jackets chic choices for staying both warm and stylish. A timeless design that offers a classic look will provide a jacket that you can enjoy for many years to come.

Jackie Rupp is a freelance writer who writes about leather jackets and specific brands such as Via Spiga.

The lighting design for a home, or a room within a home, is an important consideration in creating the overall interior design effect you are looking for. You need to think about how much light you need to bring into the room and choose light fixtures that work well with the colors, furniture and fabrics in the room. The fixtures must harmonize with each other as well.

We think of light primarily for its function of illumination. But when filtered through a beautiful Tiffany style lamp shade, it can also add a colorful design element to the room. Torchiere style lighting, which casts an upward glow, can set off a portion of the room, adding drama and warmth as well as light. Smaller accent lights are often placed in a room to highlight something important such as a work of art or a display of fine crystal.

The sunlight that comes into a room and any overhead light fixtures work together to create the ambient light for the space. This light goes everywhere—it hits the walls, the ceiling—and is thus your unfocused source of light. Balancing the brightness is the goal when choosing the permanent, overhead fixtures from the room. You don’t want it so bright that you create an institutional feel to the room, as though you are in an office or a hospital. But you don’t want it so dim that you might bump into the furniture or not be able to see well enough to use the TV remote, for example.

Task Lights

Many people incorporate task lights into their overall lighting design. There may be areas of the room such as a desk or over the kitchen countertop, where you need brighter, focused light. Fixtures with dimmer switches are popular choices so you can balance the amount of light with the task you are doing.

You can also add interest to a wall by pairing several task lights, such as sconces. These work well in hallways or stairs, too, in order to bring just the right amount of light into a smaller space.

Floor and Table Lamps

Floor and table lamps are portable and thus give you flexibility. If you are reading in your favorite comfortable chair, you can move a floor lamp closer to the chair, or adjust the dimmer switch to a higher position.

Floor lamps are available in a myriad of designs that add style, color and function to a room. You could choose an arched lamp that can be adjusted to swing closer to a chair or desk. Another option would be an arc style with multiple points of lights. Floor lamps with adjustable height are another versatile choice.

Floor lamps are great accent pieces to help you finish off the design of a room. They can be as simple as a pole with a fabric shade, in a color that harmonizes with the overall color scheme of the room. Other shade styles are available as well, including metal, paper and glass. The designs of the bases are highly creative as well. Think about your overall design style: it is traditional or contemporary. Different floor lamps are better suited to each style.

Look for floor lamps with stable bases so you don’t have to worry about them tipping over, particularly if they are placed on a plush carpet.

Tiffany Inspired Floor Lamps

Tiffany inspired lamps can be muted or striking depending on the combination of lamp style and color. Their hallmark feature is the use of glass shades made with small pieces of stained glass. Color and pattern choices are numerous. These stained glass lamps are produced using the copper foil method, which craftsmen have been using for more than 100 years.

The Vineyard Escape Floor Lamp, for example, has the tapering shape of a champagne flute, and is made up of more than 950 individual pieces of stained glass. The 45” high lamp has an elegant scrolled metal base. This lamp is colorful and dramatic. It would quickly become a focal point in a room. Illumination is provided by a 100 watt and a 40 watt bulb.

For a completely different look, a great choice is the Beaded Parisian Side-Arm Floor Lamp. This 60” high lamp features delicate beading around the bottom of the shade, and is made of 500 pieces of glass and 12 cabochons. The adjustable side arm, made of wrought iron, adds versatility to the fixture. You can place it near a desk or other work surface and of course near a comfy reading chair. This lamp adds romance to any room, with the muted elegance of its red and green glass.

The Exotic Retreat Floor Lamp has a charming simplicity. The light that filters through the yellow and green glass shade—made up of more than 1000 pieces—creates a feeling of warmth and comfort. The modernistic style base has a unique, eye catching geometric pattern. This 64” high lamp requires three 60 watt bulbs and is operated with a pull chain.

Dee Power is a freelance writer who writes about floor lamps and other products you can find when you shop.