The best way to offset your technogeek smartphone and gadget accessories with a dash of style is with leather. No, not provocative chaps or the lame, ubiquitous guy-in-ablack-leather-jacket-at-Applebees kind of leather, but rather a worn saddle, English countryside, inherited it from your father type of hide. I’m talking about heavy messenger bags that look more professorial than bicyclist, raw leather belts that actually look handmade rather than Kenneth Cole-made, deep brown or carmel colored boots and shoes that seem to enjoy being leather, rather than try to hide it. In fact, black leather in general is probably not the best look unless you are Marlon Brando from the 50’s. (Or atop your cafe racer, which you aren’t… at least not in Wichita.)

I think Wichita is a jeans town, with its healthy work ethic and blue collar roots. In my (rarely) humble opinion, there are only two things that go perfectly with jeans – oxford cloth and leather and I’m generally obsessed right now with all three. My raw selvage jeans are breaking in nicely, our ongoing winter wonderland has provided numerous opportunities to break out my boots, and I recently created a brilliant brown leather laptop bag. I’ll share with you my inspiration for style right now.

If you are shopping in Wichita and want to throw a little leather in the closet, here are the items I suggest picking up:

1. Frye Boots – With great colors, awesome durability, these boots have a little more style than the traditional workboot. Find them at Von Maur, Pink Saloon or online. Price – $$$
2. Red Wing Boots – Red Wing has seen a resurgence in the last couple years thanks to the heavy dose of traditional, American blue collar styles among hipsters and designers. The boots are still made to work in forever, but the styles have been updated a bit for guys like me. Find them at the Red Wing shoe store. Price – $$
3. Allen Edmunds Shoes – I’ve worn a lot of mens shoes, and none have been more comfortable than my Allen Edmunds. None have worn as well, lasted longer, or been constructed from better leather. Find them at Von Maur. Price – $$
4. Bags – I wish I could provide some guidance on this one. I found a way to have one professionally made because I couldn’t find anything decent in town that wasn’t massively overproduced and over designed. Any ideas? Price – $$$
5. Belts – Find them at Vintage shops and leather shops. Price – $

What leather are you incorporating into your daily style? Let us know in the comments.

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