Am confident these are now a classic.

The good old coated black skinnies.  And I say old, as these have been around for years now.  For so long in fact, I would say that we can now call them a classic.  Without a shadow of a doubt, these are my must have for the A/W season, as they have been for pretty much as long as I can remember.

They work for every single occasion.  Punchy statement, but I'm going to stand by it. 

Perfect for nights out, super easy to throw on every day and I've even worn mine to rugby training.  Not to mention for walking the dog - as random at it sounds, these are the trousers you need.  Wipe down so any splashes of mud disappear in a second and skinny so ideal for wearing with wellies.  I'm not sure I can think of another pair of trousers that are so versatile. 

What do I wear mine with?  Well that will be anything.  Oversized jumper - check, tee for every day - check, silk blouse for evening with velvet or sequin jacket - check - honestly, there isn't an occasion that these won't work.  With ankle boots, stilettos, heeled sandals, wellies, loafer or sneakers, these are your jeans substitute.  I will return shortly with my reasoning for why I need a jeans substitute but with a pair of coated skinnies in your wardrobe, you will never look back.

And I'm going straight in with my favourites. 

I have three pairs that I absolutely love, one of which are the black waxed Boden skinnies.  Now they appear to have changed the name from last year, but they do look exactly the same.  Only slight issue that I appear to not be able to find mine.  Does this happen to anyone else?  Seriously - where the hell can they be? I've lost these and a not expensive but scarily useful Zara knitted tee.   So I've just remember I have a Boden voucher burning a hole in my purse so I've just ordered a new pair.  With 20% off using the code A6Y8.  They're practically free.... (ish).

Mayfair Modern Skinny Jeans in Black Wax £59.50

And then my find of last year.  The New Look wonders. 

I've got mine on today and whilst I wouldn't wear them out in the evening as they are looking a tad lived in, for £24.99, I can forgive them.  And I will still wear them during the day and on dog walks and to rugby and football matches.  They owe me nothing and if I get two years out of them, I will be over the moon.  The best thing about them, is because they are only £25, last year I wore them ALL the time.  Seriously every couple of days I wore them.  I didn't even wear the (lost) Boden ones that much, as I was worried about wrecking them.  I know it's ridiculous and we shouldn't do that, but we all do.  (We do, don't we?  It's not just me...?!) 

These look the same as last year's option. 

Black Coated High Waisted Skinnies from New Look £24.99


And I also had the Tall normal version which was also pretty high rise.  

Now I did see these in store and...I have to say, either I have got larger (a tad, possibly) or the sizing has got smaller.  I will also say the same for Topshop jeans which I tried on at the weekend (don't ask).  Actually I'm not sure I have got that much bigger as the Dre Jeans from Rag & Bone which I had on yesterday are only a 26.  So go figure.

These DEFINITELY look smaller (although I did only see the regular size in the New Look today and not the Tall), seriously I wonder whether they've confused a size 10 with an age 10... I would definitely size up unless you want to look like you've taken 50 Shades of Grey to heart.  Spray on faux leather is a punchy choice for the rugby touchlines.  In my humble opinion.

Tall black coated super skinny jeans £22.99 (last year they were no skinnier than the skinny... even though they're blessed with the title of Super skinny..!) 




Faux leather now at M&S and I saw these today in the flesh.  They are definitely more of a jegging than a trouser.  So if you are looking for ones where you're not going to be flashing your waistline (like I am in the skinnies anyway - that boat sailed years ago), then these may work for you.  I find the look completely different on ones with a zip button fly as opposed to a pull on legging style.  But if you're looking for a style to wear with longline tunics and oversized jumpers, these are perfect.  I would also happily wear these with a longline blouse and blazer.  Definitely a faux leather feel to them as opposed to coated or waxed.  Clear as mud?

Skinny Leg Trousers from M&S £35 in three different lengths which I love.




Back to coated at Topshop.  Now you either love or hate Topshop jeans.  I have to say, in recent years I have struggled with them, but I do know that some people won't buy their denim from anywhere else. 

MOTO Black Coated Leigh Jeans £42 - also available in a Petite (alas I can't find them in a Tall although seeing as I've fallen out of love with TS after sending back a massive order that I thought might work for holiday, this is probably no bad thing.  Note to self - some things are in the sale for a reason...) 


Or there are the Jamie jeans.  I thought I could tell the difference between the Leigh and the Jamie.  Turns out I am actually an auld giffer and can't.  They look exactly the same.  Weeps.

MOTO Black Coated Jamie Jeans £42  Although randomly they do these in a Tall.. maybe I should just *try* them (although that has proven to be a depressing exercise.. I fear I may stick to my bargain with all the discounts, tried and tested Boden pair!) 


If you're looking for more of a shine, you should probably try the Vero Moda ones.  I have a friend who swears by these and they come in petite, regular and tall. 

Vero Moda Zip Coated Skinny Jeans £36


I have to say I have always been rather impressed with ASOS denim and so these may well be worth a shot. 

ASOS Sculpt Me Premium Jeans in Black Coated £38


And finishing with a pair that I am rather enamoured with but haven't tried.  I quite fancy the biker look.  A step too far?

Only Royal Mid Waist Skinny Biker Coated Jeans £35


You may have noticed that these are all super reasonable.  Because genuinely I have found the high street versions completely amazing.  As good as any expensive ones that I've ever had or tried.  And the less you pay, the more you'll wear them.  This shouldn't be the case but it is.  The great thing about coated denims is that I've found, regardless of how cheap they are, they keeps their shape.  They don't bag or sag and are a joy to wear.  Besides being super flattering.  Now do you know why I have more than one pair?

Here I am in my high waisted ones from New Look last year.  If you do get up close, you can see that the coating is starting to flake slightly.  I'm making that sound worse than it is - but I can't think of another way to describe it.  They are still completely wearable and wear them I will. 



Striped tunic - H&M
Leopard print coat - M&S
Coated skinny jeans - New Look 
White leather trainers - M&S
Half moon bag - APC

So I have been all the way to Ikea today, followed by a trip to Topshop to return all my ghastly gubbins.  Off to London for work tomorrow - at some point I must pack... 

But in the meantime (and something I won't be packing), talk me through your thoughts on all things coated.