Now that animal print has become a wardrobe staple, leather is the newest way to give an outfit a subtle edge. At a conference last week, That's Not My Age noticed an outbreak of forty-something women wearing leather trousers and skirts. Call it a micro trend, call it a midlife crisis, call it a momentary lapse in taste. Leather daywear has landed.
Although I'm a vegetarian, I don't go all Stella McCartney when it comes to animal skin. I wear leather footwear and own one leather jacket (an old M&S skinny seventies zip up style), but that's as far as it goes. Now, I'm more than happy to sprinkle a little rock chicery on my fashion plate but ever since my brother came back from a holiday in Barcelona, in his early twenties, wearing a black leather waistcoat - I've been convinced that in a world of leather, the jacket is king. Now, I could be wrong. There's no denying Elle Macpherson looks fabulous in her Isabel Marant Capri pants but let's be honest, she'd look fabulous in a bri-nylon housecoat. To me, leather trousers on anyone above and beyond a certain age scream, 'Look at me - I've still got it!'
I'm a firm believer in wearing what you like, when you like and I do like the leather M&S skirt (above) and the sell-out Isabel Marant pant. But I can't help thinking that there are certain people - Patti Smith, Keith Richards, Carine Roitfeld - who can get away with leather pants and then there are the rest of us. Who really wants to look like a peri-menopausal Good Housekeeping reader having a racy moment? Not me.
Am I getting into a bit of a lather over leather? Would you wear it on a daily basis? People, let me hear your thoughts.
Isabel Marant catwalk photo: style.com
I would wear leather. But my bootylicious thighs don't agree, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, think there is something very stylish about an older woman wearing leather trews, when done well. Like most fashion items, I say wear it for your figure and tastes, not your age.
Like you I'm vegetarian but own loads of second-hand leather jackets and an indecent amount of shoes, boots, bags and belts.
ReplyDeleteI always considered forty-somethings in black leather trousers to be in the realms of a midlife crisis and trying some second-hand ones on the other day I did feel a bit third-rate footballer's wife. However a fellow blogger sent me the most amazing pale blue, high waisted trousers which I love with a passion, the colour is classy and the fit is lush and I've been well and truly converted.
I'm still laughing at the thought of your bro coming back from Catalonia in a leather waistcoat, did he spent much time in Sitges? xxx
Leather jacket - yes and it looks ok. Leather skirt from M&S - did it five years ago, not going there again. Leather trousers - nope ... and I have good legs, but still nope.
ReplyDeleteMy sister bought me a pair of side lace up suede pants from Spain 40 years ago. I felt silly wearing them then!...that takes a special kind of confidence....
ReplyDeletePenny/Vix - I think you're right, in some instances leather trousers can look classy but they definitely need to be handled with care. And Vix, Sitges made me laugh - actually my brother's girlfriend at the time bought the waistcoat for him!
ReplyDeleteSusan - that's hilarious. My brother's waistcoat laced up the side too!
Fashionistable and I snapped a stylish woman in a tommy hilfiger leather skirt she'd had for 5 yrs and it looked wonderful. I'd do a skirt but not sure about trousers. Though a fellow stylist said leather skirts said 50 which made me laugh a lot! xx
ReplyDeleteIt is usually only leather jackets for me too. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty infuriating the number of things that Patti Smith can get away with...
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the line about "peri-menopausal Good Housekeeping reader having a racy moment" - until I realised that was me! oh god, get me a gin someone! xx
ReplyDeleteI love it, but only on others! I would die for a pair of leather trousers, but seriously, someone would probably kill me if they saw me in a pair!
ReplyDeleteYou got me laughing again...
ReplyDeleteYou are a Witty and funny write.
I didn´t know you were a vegetarian like me. small world!!!
I also own leather boots and bags. the thought of skin animal on me is another matter.
Un abrazo guapa!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I wore leather trousers all through my teens as befitting a punk, sigh now I've just remembered my tartan bondage trousers but even then I looked horrendous in leather jackets. I would love to wear leather trousers again but I don't get out much these days so can't justify the cost.
ReplyDeleteHi my dear-I've just been recently converted to wearing leather, mainly because of the costs involved-my leather cropped vintage trousers were only £1 and I got 2 leather skirts for £6 each, so for me it was a good way to tap into this trend-I wouldn't be able to pay full prices for any high street pieces. When I pay silly amounts of money, I'll give most trends a try, lol! x
ReplyDeleteI've got a leather mini but have given the shorts a miss. I really like that M&S flared skirt. xx
ReplyDeleteI've never thought leather was in any way outrageous...thanks for making me feel super old! :-P
ReplyDeleteI think leather looks great on anybody, but me. I had some fake leather pants once and sweated to no end in them. I just don't feel comfortable in skirts or pants of that nature.
ReplyDeleteI have a grand father who used real leather. He makes bull whips.
Excellent question. I have leather coats a-plenty, and a tan/caramel leather jacket that I wore to death this last winter (Oz). I am deeply tempted by a leather skirt. But the pants ... I had a fabulous pair of black leather pants in my 20s (I was in fact wearing them at the party where I met Spouse), and I miss them, but I don't think I will go back there.
ReplyDeleteWendy - leather isn't outrageous, and you're not super old. You're gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEL - oh yes I forgot to mention the sweaty-ness. Eeuw!
Tiffany - I read somewhere that men like women in leather - didn't you keep the pants for posterity?
I have three leather jackets with one in heavy rotation. As far as the leather skirts and pants....it will not happen for me at any age!
ReplyDeleteI love leather but don't own much now as I'm always giving things away. I don't have a leather jacket any longer. I have one short black leather Miu Miu skirt and a tiny top which just covers the front with a couple of chains that hold it together across the back - I'm too old for now but still haven't parted with it. I did have a pair of really good quality black leggings which had leather all down the front of the legs. They were by Helen Storey but I can't find them anywhere. I was going to dig them out for this season. I might buy a cheap pair of leather look leggings but I'll try them on first as I don't want to look like mutton dressed as mutton! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm 44 and wear leather as much as I can. I suppose I'm middle-aged, according to logic and statistics. I'm pretty sure I don't care if I'm "too old" for it, I only care if I "look bad" in it. That said, I don't have any bottoms in leather. Just jackets, shoes, belts, and bags. I used to do skirts and pants in leather, but I do feel I've outgrown them. However, I'd wear narrow, cropped red leather pants if I had anywhere to do it!
ReplyDeleteBTW: I'm still lurking around alot, even though I don't seem to be.
ReplyDelete~enc/observationmode
i guess you can pull it off if you got the swagger...and the right body shape...in the right shade of colour (nobody wants to see a lady in bright yellow leather pants...)
ReplyDeletenice blog btw I like it!
Well, no - not leather trousers ever for me! I wore a leather skirt in the 80's but now just think I will stick to handbags and shoes. Daughter has a gorgeous leather jacket - think she would think I was being a copy cat if I got one too but I love it and encouraged her to buy it when she was here in Melbourne. It was an investment piece but it has absolutely made her wardrobe. x
ReplyDeleteI enjoy leather jewelry but I don't think I could pull of an entire piece...
ReplyDeleteI've always loved leather accessories, but in apparel it begins and ends with the jacket. Anything more than that and I look like I'm trying too hard.
ReplyDeleteA skirt - yes. As long as it's not tight and/or short. The full skirt you show is good as is an a-line. Pants, absolutely not. Leather jacket only if it's worn in a really casual not too matchy matchy way. The moment you start treating it like a blazer you look like an old lady trying to look cool. Same comment as the pants - I've still got it - and you may, but not in the same way you did at 22 - so better to wear something pleasing than trying to be teasing.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post TNMA ! You are absolutely right. Leather is pretty tricky beyond a certain age. Unless it's a belt, a boot or a purse, one must tread very, very carefully. I once went on a blind date in my 20's with a fellow who showed up in leather trews and I just about died! The person who set me up said "you'll love this guy. He's so stylish and cool". Yeah, right !
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. i really love this post. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteLeather Jackets,
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