Q: I've seen leather in the stores this summer - is it really appropriate to wear leather in warm weather in the south?

A: Just as there is summer-weight wool, there is also summer-weight leather. Lighter and thinner than its fall/winter counterpart, this season's leather is unlined and often more loosely constructed. Because genuine animal skins do not breathe (nor do the synthetic versions, for that matter), these qualities are what make it wearable in warmer temperature.

Favorite items I've seen this summer include: a hip cognac 3/4 sleeve unlined bolero jacket, a dainty white laser cut A-line skirt, and a fitted black knit sheath dress with a visually slimming ivory leather center panel. Keep it simple: too much embellishment complicates what should be a clean silhouette, and the "biker look" is not in keeping with the trend.