Who says you can't wear these past 40?

I'm pretty sure that this always features exceptionally close to the top of all those ludicrous lists "things women shouldn't wear over 40" which make me want to screw up said list and shove it up the writer's proverbial.

Leather skirts.  And, lord forbid, it should be a short skirt.  Holy nora, of what level of debauchery would that be - imagine - a woman over 40 getting her legs out.  We're not talking leather hot pants (although if they float your boat, knock yourself out), we're talking a skirt. 

I have even been wearing one.. brace yourself...with bare legs.  I KNOW RIGHT? 

And the earth didn't fall off its axis.

However since we've been plunged into the depths of Winter, there are no bare legs being exposed - the thick tights are coming into their own.

And at this point, I'm going to throw it out there, that I find a leather mini skirt easier to wear than a non leather mini one.  I appreciate this sounds all sorts of bonkers but genuinely, it does make sense in my warped tiny mind.  I have actually worn a leather a line skirt for years.  For genuinely as long as I can remember.   A little black leather a line number (ok so it was in fact faux leather but you would have been pushed to know the difference) from Zara that I bought about 6yrs ago.

I love them with either a silk knit or top and longline blazer for nights out.  With an oversized knit or silky knit polo neck for during the day with chunky ankle or Chelsea boots.  They are honestly a lot more versatile than you would think. 

However I am also going to throw in some midi numbers as well as I have one of these from M&S that I bought a couple of years ago and I blooming LOVE it.   They really do last the test of time.... 

And I'm going straight in with one a random short navy number.  Ok so this does look short.  Which perhaps wouldn't work on me being 5ft10 but if you're not as ridiculously tall as I am, this would absolutely look amazing.  I would wear this with an oversized navy knit or black - fabulously thick opaques and ankle boots.  Throw on any longline coat that takes your fancy. 

Or for the evening - how about a navy sequin polo neck, opaques and velvet ankle boots.  Or even a silk shirt, bare leg tights and a pair of bejewelled flats or mid heel?  There is nothing wrong with a pair of good old American Tan tights by the way... I will hunt out my favourite for this season but they're invariably the cheapest you can buy as they don't have that tell tale hideous sheen to them!

Wrap PU Skirt by Glamorous from Topshop £29

This looks to be slightly longer at Warehouse - although it is black... 

Faux leather wrap skirt from Warehouse £42




Another faux number now from M&S. 

A line mini skirt £35 from M&S Collection


Faux in brown with POCKETS... did I mention pockets... and in tan. 

Pocket faux leather skirt from Warehouse £32




Or in the berry, again from Warehouse £32




Minis in real leather and first up, a masterclass in how to style one.  I'll have one of what she's having please.  If I could honestly look like this for every day of the next two seasons, I would take it.

High Shine Leather A line mini skirt £299 from Me+Em




Other leather minis.. patent at Jigsaw.  I admit to liking this rather more than I possibly should...

Patent Leather Mini Skirt from Jigsaw £160




And the skirt that I have from Jigsaw which I can highly highly recommend. 

Mini Pleat Front Skirt £150 (IT HAS POCKETS)





Zip detail at Reiss - Annabelle Skirt £225  




Suede Leah Mini Skirt from Reiss £225




And now for the midis in real leather. 

High Shine Leather A line skirt from Me+Em £399



Midi in real leather with button detail at Warehouse 

Leather Midi Skirt £149




The perfect zip midi in black from Autograph at M&S £149




Another leather zip midi from River Island £140




Zip detail midi leather skirt of gorgeousness at Karen Millen in aubergine £299




So I don't have the leather skirt on today (I will be cracking it out this week though.. can't *quite* get my head around opaques just yet), but with a huge knit, they will be absolutely coming out very, very shortly.  Actually maybe tomorrow.. yes, tomorrow, I've just mentally sorted the outfit, so watch this space! 

Here is what I have been wearing this weekend.  Yesterday for the Family Race Day and fireworks at Ascot.  We go with clients of my husband's and it's an AMAZING day.