Just add a whip?
It's leather talk. Or pleather. Either way, it's yet another thing I've ummed and ahhed over for the past couple of years. So clearly I don't actually need one as I've managed without it for years.
Wrong!
This year I am on a mission to buy less. Which clearly sounds random when I'm talking about buying a skirt. Duh. There is method in my (typical) madness, believe me.
On inspection of my winter wardrobe (specifically with nights out in mind), I have managed to accumulate a pretty good selection of tops. Which, I always team with skinny jeans (of which I have oodles) and err skinny black trousers (of which again I have enough - although there is a pair I have my eye on - but moving swiftly on...). Well, to get a number of new looks, I reckon that by replacing aforementioned trews/jeans for a leather skirt - hey presto. A whole new lease of life to my wardrobe simply with one addition. Plus with the addition of a jumper or sweatshirt - I think I could wear during the day as well.
These work really well with boxy or swing jackets - which again, I have an embarrassingly large collection of. And again with an oversized coat which I am becoming addicted to.
Even more excitingly, it seems that the done thing this season is to add an ankle boot/shoot. I am vindicated! My fave look is now common place.
So the only decision to make is leather or pleather. Now I know that clearly the logical purchase is to invest in a leather number. But I have to admit, I do like the way (slut alert) that the pleather looks to be more fitted and just gives a better silhouette. Of course this could be just some fantastic photography/photoshoppery but I am definitely going to check them out in the flesh (couldn't resist - soz). It would also make sense to suck it and see if the look works for me with a sub £30 number as opposed to spending around the £100 mark (or more - you can spend a lot lot more)
Here is my selection of what is out there.
Black leather look pencil skirt from Dorothy Perkins. £26 This looks like leather to me. Not a lot more to say until I see it in the flesh.
Faux Leather Pleat Midi skirt from Miss Selfridge £26 Again, this to me doesn't look the pleather of years gone by. Love the shape, love the waistband - wouldn't work on me particularly but someone with an hourglass figure - oh yum.
Faux Leather black pleat skirt Warehouse - £45 This possibly could work for me but I'm going for all out pencil, I've decided.
Next PU Pencil skirt £28 I think this looks great.
ASOS Pencil skirt in leather look - £30 Again - can't really fault this one. Looks like a good length as well (the model is 5ft8.5 apparently, if anyone is interested!)
Now moving on to leather. This again looks like a good length and I quite like the addition of a zip. Perhaps slightly too edgy for me. I think I'm going to stick with a complete classic. It's one step enough out of my comfort zone as it is.
Leather Mango Skirt - £79.99 A good price. Have to say it looks very similar to the pleather ones to me. (wash my mouth out)
Another great price one from Oasis £85 This one looks better I think.
Whistles Suzie Leather skirt - £195 I would expect this to be a much better quality leather. Looks gorgeous, doesn't it?
Another contender though which I have to say would probably be my favourite is the much publicised Autograph Leather Panelled skirt from Marks and Spencer. £149. And they even have an amazing photograph to go with it! What's not to love?
And finally online the PR's fave - the Autograph Leather panelled long skirt in Chocolate - £299 I had loved the idea of this, I really had. But I'm not quite sure it's me. I think I'll get more wear out of a pencil skirt (obviously I'd love both..... ha ha ha)
Now here is where I take the biggest chomp of humble pie known to man. I have been known to say in the past that the reason I started this blog was to chart my journey into my 40's and the unknown fashion waters that I would be swimming in. I had pompously claimed that I refused to lay down my fashion hat and end up shopping in Viyella. Well balls to me.
I'm sure it wasn't a deliberate attempt to make me look like a dick but I will wear my knob hat with no arguments as this little beauty will soon be on sale at Viyella. I'm sure it said that it would be around the £100 mark which I really can't believe, but if it is - I know what I shall no longer be ridiculing it on the High Street. It will be handbags at dawn outside our local branch.
Actually this one is in the sale if you didn't want a black one. A lovely berry colour for only £99.90
So there we have it. I do already have a tan one but a short A line skirt has absolutely zero dominatrix connotations. Will you be going down the black leather skirt route? I think they're becoming far more commonplace and less eye opening (she says optimistically). If you have one, how do you wear yours?
Now no photo from me today. There is one, but I'm saving it for tomorrow. I have some fantastic new boots and they deserve a blog all to themselves, complete with photo. And and and a discount offer.
i love the idea of a leather skirt, but always manage to look like an aging Led Zepplin groupie in anything black, I have tried, brown, beige, cream, even white, the only common thread is the quality of the leather, you need to feel it, too cheap and it is so rigid that you feel like the leather is wearing you, it has to be that buttersoft lambskin leather, which all the designers do really well,or Zara if you are lucky!
ReplyDeleteYup. Which is why I think pleather may be a viable option. If it's good enough for Stella, it's good enough for me! x
DeleteIt has to be leather, good quality and you will love it , I have two, looks great with a chunky jumper and boots, don't go to high on the boots and it is a really classic look, also great with a crisp white shirt, no whips required ! X
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree if you have the funds and absolutely know that you'll get the wear out of it. I'm not completely convinced I will.... I also think (she says expecting to be proved completely wrong!) that pleather has improved over the years...... I did feel one in Whistles today and it was fab actually. Although a skater style that would have me look like I was dressing up like Hooker Shirley Temple.
DeleteI have pleather from asos last year - black with stretchy panels on the hips (sounds yuck, works well!). I wore it with round necked slightly loose jumpers and shoots. Became a staple, even for work. Wondered if they were quite ready for it, but what the heck. Pencil skirts an office classic, innit?
ReplyDeleteNo no no sounds great - there are loads of them around. I would SO wear one for work - probably not if I were a lawyer but anything less er serous, you'd be grand. x
DeleteI took to the shops yesterday... yay for school... and went straight to Dorothy Perkins for a look. Oh my GOD, what trash. I searched high up and low down for the pieces that you blogged about and came up with nothing. I'm guessing they do a better selection in the UK? Anyway, I'm still awaiting delivery of my boots, hopefully this week.
ReplyDeleteSoooo... on to A-Wear with me next and I spotted, and tried on - a pleather skirt. Not unlike the ones you've shown above. Most like the Miss Selfridge one but it did me no favours. Made me look huge. So, I was smiling manically when I saw your blog tonight! I am loving the look of the Next pu one... Might have to take a look at that. The pencil one would deffo be more my thing but I have NO clue how one would wear it tbh.
I shall be dong posts on how to wear one in the future. As I shall SO be getting one! x
DeleteSo, in theory I'm LOVING the pencil skirt (seriously cannot get my head around the pleated look just yet) but tell me this,... how, but how, would you wear a leather pencil skirt if one is just shy of 5ft 4"?? Shoe boots just make me look like a munchkin as they shorten the leg too much ... I have to wear opaques .. so would you suggest shoes or full length high boots? HELP! I'm honestly at a loss as to how I'd wear one, but at the same time, I love them. Or should I just give up on the idea? Feel free to be brutally honest .. I can take it, I promise :)
ReplyDeleteOh shush you. Right, I reckon you could try a lower shoot. Have you looked at the M&S one - they've got it again this year, was too low for me but if you want something a bit more substantial than a shoe but nothing something as full on as a shoot, these are perfect. Suede with a patent heel. Go forth and purchase. WIll be stunning x
Deleteah I am 5' 2" - and I wear my pencil skirts with low shoots rom office (from years ago - small lace-up atfrint - very 'blue-stocking') so definitely give it a go. shoots low at the front with a heel seem to elongate the leg. and i have not-too-long a skirt. and i also wore with suede wedge knee-high boots. haven't decided if these will get an airing this year. probably - they're so useful.
DeleteI LOVE this blog by the way. new discovery...am telling myself it's good for productivity to dip into here every now and again. you know, the way the brain supposedly works out tricky conundrums while you're doing other things ;)
I've been looking at similar skirts but I think I'd be too hot in them. It would be like leaving my leather jacket on indoors. Mint velvet have two skirts that have a mix of leather and fabric that I'm hoping might be cooler.
ReplyDeleteJust bought a leather mini from H&M that looks great tho only to be worn with 50000000000 denier black tights - practically wide leg black trousers then.... Lovely phase eight silky knit tucked in and shoe boots - ta da!! New outfit! Looks brilliant and I'm super pleased with it! Xx carrie xx
ReplyDeleteI had a very stylish French teacher at school with a gamine hair style and who frequently wore a classic leather pencil skirt. This both tempts me and puts me off lol!
ReplyDeleteHi there! great picks, I would also go for pleather over leather for cost really. My favourite ones here are the New look one and the last M&S one. I'm not keen on the versions with the sectioning on the front, either into 3s or 4 sections. I think just a middle front seam or two side seams looks better (for me anyway!)
ReplyDeleteOops I meant the Next one, not New Look!!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the pencil skirts this season too, but I'm not brave enough to go down the leather route.
ReplyDeleteKatie
OH GOD I'm soooooo relieved you have done this post. I bought a leather dress from French Connection but it's been hanging in my wardrobe like a dirty little secret. Thanks so much. Boxy jumpers, shoots and opaques here I come! Would love to see some "how to style" pics. Love the new suede boots.
ReplyDeleteI'm so in love with the Warehouse pleated one! You may of just found the base of my 40th outfit! Was thinking a pleated chiffon midi with leather biker but I may just be doing pleather pleats on the bottom now instead! I need to try this on asap! Thanx Kat! Ax
ReplyDeleteJust bought the Next one and wore it last night. Tucked in top and a statement necklace for good measure I felt like a very sexy secretary!
ReplyDelete