Second part of the Barbarella dream

Or nightmare?  Well seeing as yesterday got such a good reception, some people are clearly really buying into the leather trend this season.  I can't wait to see what you think of the gems I've picked out for you today. 

As obvious as it is to wear leather on the bottoms, I think it may well be easier to wear it on the top.  And not in a jacket.  Sounds bonkers?  Bear with me. 

So first of all we're going to start with a classic investment.  The leather shell top.  This would look great with a pencil skirt, over skinny jeans or trousers or boot cuts  - hell I'd even wear with distressed boyfriend jeans for a casual weekend look.  Easy to dress up and dress down (my favourite combo for an item as I may have yawned on about once or a hundred times - I loathe spending money on an item that just sits in my wardrobe and doesn't get worn).  Perfect for work and even wearable on the school run. 

However I do have one gripe.  Ok so the spending of circa the £200 is eyewatering, but if we're talking about cost per wear then this could be justified.  What I would struggle with though, are the dry cleaning bills.  Ironically the more expensive, the higher the cost of cleaning.  And with a top that sits next to your skin - personally that's something I would like to wash every time I wear it.  Yes if you layer it with something jersey underneath, you could get more wear out of it.  But otherwise - dry cleaning a top every time you it's worn, having paid £200 for it initially, is just a step too far me, both financially and effort wise.  The dry cleaners and I are not the best of mates.  I am lazy Mclazy.  For some reason the effort of taking and picking stuff up from the cleaners is herculean for me.  Total mental block.  Ridiculous I know, but experience has taught me that if something is dry clean only, it gets worn once and then languishes at the bottom of the laundry basket for - I'd like to say weeks, but in reality, I am ashamed to say, it's months.  And months. 

But please don't let me put that off if you love them as I do think they are a great addition to any wardrobe.  Really great and I think they'll prove to be timeless.  

Firstly we'll start with good old M&S.  Now I haven't seen this in the flesh but assuming, as with 99% of their garments, they look pap online but are fabulous in real life, we'll give this the benefit of the doubt.   And they are in my good books at the moment as their current TV ad is just beyond fabulous.  Seriously seriously impressive and I have created a wonderful wishlist from there (probably deserves a blog of it's own actually.  hmmmm) 

Warning - they're not the best shots.  Autograph leather short sleeve top. 

Another very similar option is available from FCUK.  Navajoe Leather top. 




As fab as those two tops are, I have to say if I were to be spending that much money on a top, I'd stretch the extra little bit to £240 and get the Maje metallic leather and stretch cotton top.   Yes there is less leather on it and yes it's more expensive but actually I think it would be an easier, more comfortable and more flattering top.  Drool.  Serious drool. 




Whistles have a plethora of gorgeous tops - even more expensive than the Maje one although they are back and front leather.  As stunning as they are, the Maje is the one that goes on my wishlist.  (and obviously the more I've been researching them, the more I've been writing about them, the more I think I may need one...)

Love the scallop detail on this and it would certainly work really well all year round in this gorgeous, versatile and easy to wear nude colour. 


The white one is clearly a bit more out there and personally you can guarantee I would get dark denim stainage on it but I'm sure most of you are far more, errrrr, careful, than I am.  This, with the dark denim is a stunning look and again, the top would be fabulously versatile.  Pretty much go with anything all year round. 



There is, of course, a cheaper way to get the look but without the price tag.  And, of course it goes without saying, you can lob them in the washer.  Pleather.

Now another disclaimer - I haven't seen any of these in real life so they could feel like something you find at the back of Ann Summers (allegedly).  

Firstly this one from La Redoute.  In my experience if something looks to good to be true from La Redoute, it usually is.  The one exception I can recall (and to be completely fair, I haven't bought anything from there for years) is a pair of tan leather and suede boots that I bought 6 years ago this A/W and I have worn regularly every year since.  They are completely on their last legs and are the only pair of boots I have ever worn out.  I love them and would adore to replace them, paying significantly more than I originally did, if I had to.  But I digress hugely - here is the Dual Fabric Zip t-shirt from La Redoute.


Ok so even more worryingly there is no pic of the back.  But I still think for £21 (and there's bound to be a La Redoute code pinging around) it may well be worth a shot.

Whilst we're on the subject of pleather, these tops from Oasis caught my eye.  Again only online, didn't see them instore (although was very impressed with their leather jacket collection but that's another blog!) 

Love this Faux leather shell top 


Don't think the fabric looks too bad actually - although what on earth am I talking about - we all know how deceiving online photos can be, both good and bad. 



The back is again jersey like the Maje one 


I have to say I'm vaguely tempted (strictly for nights out) by their peplum top.  You may notice that I haven't done a blog yet on peplums.  Sigh.  Because truth be told, I struggle with them.  I think if maybe I worked in a smart environment and had a more formal wardrobe I could learn to love them.  But, well, meh.  They just don't float my personal boat.  I am, of course, prepared to have my mind changed and this top has definitely come closest to doing it.  Having said that, I think they do look great on other people, definitely and I will no doubt leave them for other people to enjoy. 

Definitely one of those times I think when it's easy to overload on trends.  The older I get, the more I realise that with each passing year, it's almost as if you have to limit yourself to not doing trend upon trend upon trend in one outfit.  I'm veering towards a more classic look with an on trend edge (just not too many at the same time!)




If a full on leather look is too much for you, how about garments with just a hint of leather.  Almost as an accessory. 

Top of my list, has to be the leather front dress from Cos.  It's like Barbarella has gone to work for the Conservative Party.  But who cares.  So versatile.   And guess what?  It can go in the machine!  Huzzah!!



Also from Cos is this fabulous leather pocket jumper dress.  The fabric of this is just heavenly and the colour a true dive straight into Autumn.  It should be sold with an obligatory roaring fire.


So the last two options, continuing the knit thread with a leather edge.  A larger percentage here (well, pleather this time) in this ASOS Top in Knit with leather look sleeves (their random title, not mine)  Can't guarantee that the pleather isn't gimpmask like (not that I have any idea what gimpmask leather is like but I can't imagine it's buttery lambskin.  I also have no intention of finding out) - again with ASOS it could be completely fantastic or, well, bad. 

In khaki 

and in grey 


And finally another little cheapie number that I spied whilst perusing the La Redoute site.  Too cute.  Metallic long sleeved round neck cardigan with leather edging.   I have a denim shirt that is crying out for this cardigan....... I struggle to wear it otherwise (the shirt).  Justification.  Done.  And oh go on then, in the interests of research I shall order it and report back.  Because I don't have enough boucle style cropped jackets already.  Martyr is my middle name.



Well hopefully that will give you enough to chew over with regards to leather this season.  And I haven't even started on leather jackets yet.  For another day. 

Finishing off with the last 24 hours chez nous.  Bloody hell!  Cut a long story short have spent pretty much all of it in hospital with RR3 who is just 4.  Respiratory difficulties which has (finally) been diagnosed by a Consultant as Asthma.  Not that I'd wish it on my worst enemy - I had it as a child and it can be unbelievably frightening but once you know what you're dealing with it, it's so much easier to manage.  And of course it could have been so much worse.  He's home now, on the mend and we're armed with a selection of inhalers and drugs.  

I did take some jeans with me last night but this morning after a shower (love the new NHS local hospital with private rooms and ensuites.  Honestly I've stayed in worse hotels!) decided that the loose (stretched) linen ones were far more comfy for lounging around a hospital room all day.  Everything else is clean, honest guv. 



Beige linen tee - Zara
Khaki linen cargo pants - TopShop
Chocolate leather biker jacket - All Saints
Clay Thelma wedges - Ash
Sunglasses - Tom Ford
Snakeprint scarf - M&S
Brown leather cuff with chain detail - Hultquist
Vanilla Roxanne - Mulberry

Will be back shortly.  Tomorrow night we're due to go out for our wedding anniversary but have had a babysitting disaster and I'm going to be beyond shattered.  (didn't get into bed till 2am last night and then was woken every hour with RR3 having a nebuliser, bless him.  He then decided that 6 am was a good time to get up.  Obviously)  So as I will be scintillating conversation tomorrow night, The Husband has suggested we postpone till the week after next.  You may well get a blog instead!