Am having a Barbarella moment.

Anyone care to join me?

So here is my first foray into the trends of A/W that catch my eye.  I shall by no means covering every single trend that has littered the catwalks (see what I did there?! Doh) & filtered down to the High Street but I'll endeavour to explore those I think would work for us who are galloping on the right side of 30.  

And to being with... Leather! 

I fear it may be the big 4-0 (tis merely a matter of months away now.  Expect me to mention it.  A Lot.) that is sending me hurtling into a spin of wanting to dress like an 18 year old lady of the night.  Think less lamb and something more embryonic.  Wrong on every level. 

Happily though, I've learnt to sleep on rash purchases and most of the time I do wake up with  a far more age appropriately dressed fashion head on.  Hence I've put my obsession with head to toe leather to rest.

I have made no secret of the fact that I do have an inner Suzi Quatro (nestled in amongst the other alter egos) and therefore have always been partial to a bit of leather.

Not talking leather jackets here - Suzi, get back in yer box - they're far too mainstream for what I've been looking at.  We're talking Barbarella eat your heart out.  Or maybe not if we're planning on letting ourselves loose on the public.  

So how does one of a certain age who perhaps should pick their leather items carefully, actually work it?

I think there are definitely some things out there which would work.  Firstly the leather or should I say pleather, trouser.  I know I know.  But honestly don't knock it till you've tried it. 

I got my first pair of pleather trews (rather skinny ones) from TopShop two or maybe three years ago.  I had ordered a host of pairs including real leather ones at a significantly higher price.  Oh my god were they a disaster.  They had no stretch so took an age to shoehorn myself into them.  (apparently talc is the answer.  Could you really be bothered?)  And were dry clean only.  Errr hello?  Has anyone taken anything leather to be dry cleaned?  That'll be a small fortune thank you.  And they weren't even that nice.  

Whereas I have been beyond impressed with the TopShop ones.  Gorgeous.  Really flattering with a side zip.  However I am slightly larger than I was a couple of years ago and too many good nights out have meant a "loosening" of the stitching down the centre seam (they have a side zip - super flattering).  Ie I've broken them.  They don't seem to have the trousers that I had - they seem to have replaced them with leggings.  I did try these on last year.  And that would be a no.  Big.  No.

I am planning on getting my original trousers mended but in the meantime I've ordered these from Next which I'm picking up tomorrow.  The jury is out till then but I will report back.  I love wearing them for daytime as well as night time.  I think they look fab with a chunky knit, layered over thin jersey separates, big scarf and boots (dare I say wedge trainers...... I have always worn mine with my black Ash Madonna wedges but that's before they were remotely mainstream.  Might look a tad try hard now.  Will still suck it and see)  Or a shirt and fitted coat with flats.  The opportunities are endless. 

Here they are - they do get great reviews online (I buy so little from Next I'm not sure how relevant they are) 

On to something which I suspect might be easier for lots of people to wear.  The leather skirt. It actually crossed my mind that I could definitely do with one of these, when I tried the embellished collar dress on from Dunnes, which was cream on top with a black "skirt" on the bottom.  Didn't like the jersey of the skirt but loved the top part and thought - oh hello - a leather pencil skirt would really unprettify (clearly not a word but it perhaps should be) the smart dress aspect. 

Now I will pre-empt the next section by saying that I have seen none of these in real life.  So they could be fab.  They could be completely ming a ring ding.  I take no responsibility for how appalling the quality may be.  Disclaimer over. 

Firstly, let's stay with Next and on the pleather front - what better way to try out the trend and not break the bank, than with a pleather skirt.  I have to say, this one really doesn't look too bad. 



Am also loving the boucle jacket in black which looks rather like the Isabel Marant Etoile Monty jacket......at a fifth of the cost!  Here is the link to both. 

I'm planning (with my imaginary purchase) to wear it during the day (for something specific - even I'd balk at the idea of wearing one merely to do the school run) with ankle or knee high boots, opaques, thin knit jumper and little blazer (the Next one above will do nicely thank you).  Perfect item for your evening wardrobe as well - lovely little shirt tucked in or a simple tee and statement necklace.  For those who work, the perfect day to night wardrobe component. 

If you're certain you'd get lots of wear out of one then (and to be honest, I don't think they take  much justification) and funds are a plenty then I'd go straight for a leather one.  Some gorgeous ones around 

The Missy Black leather skirt from Reiss 




Black leather panelled skirt from Preen Edition at Debenhams


The utterly stunning one from the Somerset collection by Temperly at John Lewis which is sold out though.  Obviously my favourite but not entirely sure I could justify £199 on it.  So just as well it's sold out.


A more wearable style for some might be an A line leather skirt.  Mint Velvet have come up trumps - too short for me I'd say, but that's definitely a personal preference.  If you wear flat shoes or boots then a shorter, more flared skirt is an excellent option.  Of course, having seen it on the model, I am now thinking - hmmmm love love love.

How fab is the wine version 




So how do we feel about leather on our bottom halves?  Are you already the proud owner of any leather items other than jackets?  How easy do you find to wear them?

If skirts or trousers in leather aren't your thing, then how about a top? Or dare I mention - a leather dress?  Fear not - not as rank as they may sound, I have found a couple of really wearable pieces which I'll be blogging about tomorrow.  Barbarella shall live another day!

A quick round up of what I've been wearing - not a lot of leather going on here just yet.

Friday - a day of breakfast with mostly my closest friends (what's not to love?!), rushing around making a cake for a friend's 40th birthday party that night.  Regrettably (total fail) I don't have a pic of the evening outfit but it was the blush Zara sequin jacket, blush coated Zara skinnies, blush vest by By Malene Birger, nude Zara sandals and cream stone Anthro necklace which I've worn about 3 times (with nothing changed!) over the summer on nights out.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it!  Hence no pic really needed - it's been seen before.

So super casual for during the day.


Cream linen and crochet top - By Malene Birger
Beige Kristen skinnies - TopShop
Tan leather sandals - Gap
Tan leather stud cuff - Mulberry
Gold Renegade bracelet - Stella & Dot
Black Sunglasses - Dior
Vanilla Roxanne - Mulberry

Saturday - up to London for lunch with friends.  Unfortunately managed to get most of the way into London, realised I had taken the car keys with me so had to go all the way back on the train home and back into London again.  A two hour round trip.  Utter muppet.  Had to go back as The Husband was taking the Rugrats to Ebbsfleet for a trip to the Olympic Park.  Well I had a completely fantastic, if too short, lunch and then schlepped all the way to Stratford to be greeted by 3 small and 1 big massively miserable bods.  Too hot, too crowded with nothing to do.  So much for me ensuring they experienced the Olympic "atmosphere".... Ingrates.  At least we can look back and say we did it!  (even though I may be scarred by the whole trip for some time to come)



Off white vest - Cos
Distressed skinny biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Scarf print silk jacket - Zara



Black and white paint splatter bandeau jumpsuit - M&S
Shrunken denim jacket - Red Herring at Debenhams
Glitter black flipflops - Primark
Tan leather cuff - Mulberry
Black Faridah Hobo bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Today was spent doing chores and trying to persuade RR3 that big school is a good idea.  He's not convinced.  At.  All.  I am "that" mother with "that" child.  Fingers crossed tomorrow he's less errr unwilling to go in.  Screaming NO and GO AWAY at the teacher and teaching assistants is always going to leave an excellent impression I think (him not me by the way)  Was tempted to hit the gin at 9.30 but half a pack of melted chocolate fingers took the edge off thank goodness.



White tee - Isabella Oliver 365
Linen cargo pants - TopShop
Brocade jacket - Wallis
Gold bee necklace - Alex Monroe
Gold serpent necklace - Stella & Dot
Tan leather cuff - Mulberry
Vanilla Roxanne - Mulberry
Clay Thelma wedges - Ash

And tomorrow I'll be back with the return of the leather Queen!  Tops & dresses - some lush ones I promise.  Can't wait to hear what you all think about it (I'm pretty positive most people will think they ming - I shall be a lone ranger in my pleather!)