Usually, this time of year is when we reluctantly begin to pack away our leather faves. Goodbye, buttery leather jacket; adieu, gorgeous leather pencil skirt. It’s always a sad and heartfelt farewell until our reunion in the fall.

But this year, we’re rethinking that approach. After designers (Isabel Marant, Derek Lam, and Miu Miu, to name just a few) paraded leather down their spring runways, we suddenly started seeing the sumptuous fabric with new eyes.

So how to nail this trend without looking like you’re still wearing your winter wardrobe? We’ve pinpointed three tactics for choosing a spring-perfect leather piece.

Color

This season’s crop of leather popped up in an array of vibrant brights and soft pastels, covering ground in pretty much every shade imaginable. Try a cheery lemon jacket, powdery blue shorts, or—for the indecisive among us—a color-blocked frock. You can pair these hues with neutrals for a more subtle approach, or mix and match with other brights for a bold look.

Shape

Maybe you’re more comfortable investing in leather that’s a more versatile, traditional hue, like black or cream. No prob—to make it spring-perfect, look for breezy silhouettes typical for the season, such as sleeveless fit-and-flare dresses, shorts, or a simple short-sleeve tee.

Accent

Not ready to jump into the trend with both feet? Stick to accenting lighter-weight fabrics with leather panels, trims, and sleeves. We love the edgy, effortless contrast luxe leather lends to breezy chiffon or casual-cool denim.

Click through the slideshow to see 26 of our (both real and faux) leather spring picks.