I don’t wear this faux leather skirt nearly enough, given that it is actually a pretty cool skirt. I think maybe that is the problem… maybe it is too cool for me! I’m not really used to wearing much leather or faux leather, except in shoe, boot or bag form. But, using my imagination I can discern that the weather seems to be making a very veeery gradual descent into overall cooler temperatures, so I’m thinking about those parts of my wardrobe again. And about giving all those little sundresses a break. I think this skirt deserves to make a few more appearances and get worn, dammit.
I made it using Vogue 1170, and it first appeared along with my review of the pattern, here.
Below left; worn with a matching, wool and faux leather military style jacket with knitted sleeves. Haha, of course this skirt and jacket wasn’t ever intended to become a matching set, just that I had some of the leatherette leftover, enough to squeeze out some of the pattern pieces of the jacket. Bonus outcome, a sorta suit! Random observation, I am fair dinkum sweltering in this photo here! so this will be a very good ensemble for winter; some day when I get the fashion urge to channel Star Trek or something.
Below right; peeping out from one of my most recent creations, the bell sleeved denim top. I have to admit; this is my favourite of the bunch. I’m kinda head over heels in love with it. I like the contrast of the unpretentious honesty of blue cotton denim against more sophisticated smooth and glossy leather; and the casual, easy-fitting and very un-body-con vibe of the shapes here reminds me of those lovely Japanese pattern book looks.
Below left; with a
plain white Tshirt and
black snakeskin cardigan; hmm another of the faux leather components of my collection! This might even be an office appropriate outfit; not that my office requires one. I have a friend who does the very same job I do, and we often joke about our “work wardrobe”, haha. Which generally features shorts and thongs, or a dressing gown and slippers, depending on the season, and a dog under the desk at your feet. I would need an outfit that fitted smartly into a real office for about 2% of my actual working week, tops. But I would wear this for such occasions.
Below right; the colours blend in nicely, and the vertical lines of the folds in the skirt are nicely visual juxtaposition against the random diagonal folds of this
painted silk, Issey Miyake top. I was pretty pleased to discover this skirt and top look great together.
Below left; I like unexpected things and what could be more unexpected than a leather petticoat? Skirts underneath a dress or dresses over a skirt, take your pick; is a terrific combination for a cooler day. I’m wearing here my trusty
eggplant dress; add a big drapey
berry coloured scarf over the top, and I think this is a nicely layered autumnal ensemble. Below right, maybe a bit smarter or more preppy whatever that means; I’m wearing a little
triple-collared shirt with a
net cardigan over, all in visually peaceful gentle shades of grey, coffee and white. I’ve always loved these subtle pale neutrals here. When I started my blog my aim was to branch out and incorporate new and more interesting colours into my wardrobe. So I do enjoy flirtatious adventures with
real colours sometimes, but only tempered with plenty of safe retreats to my ol’ pale and drab faithfuls. I think I enjoy colours like a holiday, playing with them for a few exciting funfilled days at a time, and getting back to my neutrals is like coming back home into your own comfy familiar space again.
Hmmm. Waxing lyrical about colours as a metaphor for life again, for heaven’s sake. Somebody stop me. Anyhoo, whatever; I think I’ve ignited a fresh love for my comfortably, blessedly colourless faux leather skirt. Now I just need the weather to co-operate so I can wear it!
Oh, what am I wearing today?? today I am wearing the eggplant dress just above, but sans the extras. Like I said, it still feels like summer here, no joke.
That seems like a real foundation piece with tons of possibilities!
xxx juli
fragmentsofmyclothing.blogspot.com
I don't think of it as 'drab', I think of it as a piece to provide background for the other fabulous/eyecatching clothes 😉
Truly, I like this a lot and could see how you (or me) would get a lot of wear from a piece like this.
Can't beat a classic A-line skirt. My favourite is with the Issay Miyake top.
I like this A-line skirt! You can wear it 'tres chic' and carelessly dressed…..
My favourite is with the black snakeskin cardigan. Thanks for the tutorial.
Have a good time
Christine
My favourite is the triple-collared shirt with the net cardigan. Grey is such a fantastic colour – can be paired with anything.
I love these posts where they show us all the ways to style a different piece. It's lays inspiring. I really think you could edit a fashion mag. I also appreciate how time consuming it must be to get all the pictures taken and to go through all the changes if clothes.
Let's hope your weather freshens a little and ours tempers.
Love these posts that include garment you blogged before I found you. My favourite is that black snakeskin cardi. For some time it has been considered a fashion 'crime' to do double denim, but that seems lately to be the rule for breaking – but in the right way of course. I've not yet caught on to the new rule. I was wondering if the same went for double leather, and if the pieces were matched I'd say it would not work, but with the contrasting textures I think it looks great!
I really love all those outfits. I think the shape of the leather skirt helps it from being *too* dressy or 'cool' 😉
I love this skirt! I actually bought the pattern the other day after seeing your version. I love the outfits you've put together, my favourites are the one with the matching jacket and with the dress worn over it.
Love #4 . It's cute to see the skirt peeking out from the longer top. 🙂
So many different looks, which just goes to show we dont need to buy lots of different patterns (but like to). The accessories also make a big difference. Favourites 1, 4 and 5.
You make layering look so effortless. I really like all of these, can't pick a favourite!
I love these posts of yours Carolyn. My favs are the denim and the last 'preppy' one. The preppy one being my fave.
I love this skirt, one of my fave creations of yours.
Oh wow! I kind of thought that a leather skirt was for 'going out' or nothing… wrong!
Looks great dressed up or down!
Bundana @
http://www.bundana.blogspot.co.uk
I love all the outfits together, but the eggplant dress w/ the skirt has to be my favorite!
I enjoy this posts! The skirt is so classy and cool at the same time. My favorites are #1; #3 and #6.
This skirt is just one of MANY patterns that I have had to buy because of you. Seriously I buy more patterns because of your posts than you would believe. I really just love your style, and I just noticed this morning (can't believe it took me this long) that you rarely sew with prints. Is the reason because prints can date clothing?
ElleC; yes, I'm not much of a print person, I do have a few but I find solids so much easier to mix and match 🙂 Thank you so much for the gorgeous compliment!
Great post! I love how you've styled this terrific (and sexy) basic. I think I need one!
So inspired! I'd never considered layering a skirt under a dress with a higher hemline. I don't think there's much in my closet right now that would work, but something to keep in mind!
That skirt is a great background to lots of outfits. I am wild for that pattern, I think in the fall I would like to make it in black suede.
Love ALL of your styling options! And there is no way this skirt is too "cool" for you, my dear!
Carolyn….have I told you how much I adore your entire wardrobe. This is beautiful, like every single other thing you make.
I love the way your leather skirt can be dressed up or down. Definitely deserves to be worn lots.
Great!!It's good in many ways.
Love this skirt, a very versatile garment! My favorite is the first outfit, but it is true that this skirt can "fit" well with many other styles …
That is such a good skirt. I do like that pattern. So much fun to see your different stylings with it. (I always enjoy when you do this.) Thanks!
Cool skirt and very adaptive to differnt styles! I especially like the military jacket and the eggplant dress combos. While you are approaching fall we´re longing for spring here…
This is a very wearable skirt – even when the temperature does drop. At some point. I'm still waiting for the cool weather.
You do have some wonderful styling options. As always!
Estás hecha una maestra, me gusta mucho las dos primeras fotos y las dos ultimas, unos modelos preciosos
This skirt looks good with anything! The pattern is in my sewing list in a kind of weird floral cotton satin, and I know it will be a staple in my summer clothes. You are a constant source of inspiration. As Almudena said right before me: you are a Master!
Hi CarolyN, I love the skirt and it is uber cool, but not in a cool sort of way, its really a very elegant skirt. I think it is because the colour is so soft and subtle, and the cut is not the straight up and down rock chick look, but a graceful and elegant A/flared skirt. It looks lovely, as all your creations do.
Wow! This skirt is very versatil, you have many possibilities to wear it. I love the last two pictures.
Hi Carolyn, I just wanted to let you know that I've nominated you for The One Lovely Blog Award/Very Inspiring Blogger Award. My apologies if you've received it before, but I love your blog and I wanted to reflect that with my choices.
Not too cool for you Carolyn! My favourites are the bell sleeved top and the Issey Miyake top with the skirt, although the aubergine dress looks pretty good with the skirt, too. I find these posts fascinating as I usually produce the same combinations. I hope you will keep doing them!
I do love the way you play around with proportions and layers when you put together an outfit.
You wear that skirt well in every version!
Haha, leather petticoat. Awesome. Seriously.
I think my favorite is the one with the Issey Miyake top, but that's the combo I'd be most likely to wear. The "suit" is pretty awesome, though, in a sci-fi military crew sort of way, which is ok in my book!
Ooh, I really like the last two! Both the unexpectedness of a leather petticoat and wearing the slightly girly lace cardi with leather are great combinations!