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Tuesday 19 February 2019

Retirement Dressing - Leoprint and Leather



Hello my lovelies.  How's it going?
I'm guessing you're busy like me.  There seems to be so much going on right now that I can barely find time to string a few paragraphs together on paper, figuratively.  But here goes ...



This post creates a bit of a dichotomy.  It's not sure which way it's headed.  It has a dual identity.
It could be about the versatility of a classic black leather skirt.  It could be about the versatility of animal print, which can be considered a classic print.  It's probably both, truth be told.


A plain A line leather skirt is infinitely versatile.  I'd have shown you exactly how versatile if I hadn't accidentally deleted 105 photos a few days ago.  Fortunately I'd already copied the animal print themed shots onto this post.  All the others showing how beautifully a variety of jumpers with the skirt can create casual or posher looks are lost forever so you will just have to trust me - a black leather is the very top end of versatile and a perfect piece in the retirement wardrobe.  I reckon I could live for a month just wearing this skirt ... now there's an idea for a post!

So let's see what happens when leather and leoprint mix.
It has all the makings of a Bet Lynch barmaid look but done right, I think we can swing it in the direction of Retired Lady does Left Bank!


Take a Leoprint blouse


A black cocoon cardi and blouse in grey, black and ecru.
Maybe for lunch in a smartish restaurant?


Next up, a leoprint shirt


A longline print shirt, worn loose.  Supper with friends?


Then belted for a more vampish look.  Perfect for a date night methinks, TP would love this!


A black jumper slipped over the shirt creates a more casual  twist.
If you're unsure about how to dress for your night out, a jumper creates Bohemian-arty smart casual.  Then simply take off the jumper and stuff it in your bag if you feel the need to ramp up the vamp!


 What about animal print knitwear?


Take a cheetah print knitted tunic and wear it as it comes to create something akin to 1920s style line and proportions. 
Perfect for smarter daytime wear.  Like a family lunch.




And again a waist cincher belt creates more of an after-dark look.


Another animal print jumper works just fine as it is, no belt trickery required as the line and length are a perfect balance for the skirt.


So what's my point here?

Well, what I'm trying to rather hurriedly get across today is that when putting together some smart casuals at this time of year, a simple black skirt forms the perfect alternative vehicle for a whole range of smartish jumpers and shirts.  Step away from the jeans and trousers, haven't we had our fill of those by now this winter?  I know I have!

And if that skirt is leather, it brings a slightly edgier feel to the outfit, gives an outfit a Left Bank touch.   I don't think leather should be ruled out as we get into middle age.  Provided the skirt isn't too short or too tight, it works in the retirement wardrobe, IMHO

But here's the thing.  This skirt is coming up for its 20th year soon.  If it were made of fabric, I don't think it would have lasted this long.  It would have got to look a bit tatty, worn and tired.  Leather actually improves with age (rather like us, eh ladies?!).  So buying a good quality leather skirt in a classic line and neutral colour makes for a good investment over time.  
Do you have one?  Maybe one you'd forgot about, like I had with this little beauty?



And then there's the animal print.   I quite surprised myself when I put this little suite together.  I didn't know I had this much.    Perhaps you've experienced leoprint creep into your wardrobe these past few years too.  It's infinitely versatile and manufacturers seem to like to roll it out, so perhaps you'll find you actually have several shirts and tops too.

Try them with a skirt instead of your usual jeans or trousers.  It may be my mind playing tricks on me but it is my humble observation that switching to a skirt turns our favourite animal prints into something a little more, er, dare I say it, sophisticated?  A little closer to the parisienne style many of us hanker after?

Then add a waist cincher belt into the mix and we're talking a whole new ball game for the humble black skirt and leoprint top.
N'est pas?



A la perchoine, 
Mary x.











20 comments:

  1. Oh yes, a leather skirt in black and a leopard print blouse. Just what I love! Fabulous look I also like the blouse belted over the skirt, great idea.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy, glad you like it - let's tag this look Edgy Classic!
      Hugs, x.

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  2. The belted vamping date night look is my favorite for sure! You wear leoprint like a boss! Boss Babe of TP!!

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    1. Oh Andrea, thank you and you are Soooo finnt. Can't wait to tell TP my new name!!!
      Hugs, TP's Boss Babe x.

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  3. Well, va va va voom! Look at you Lady Leoprint making the screen burn up! And we most certainly are sistas - just today I received a leopard crew neck sweater I had ordered last week. We could be twins! Although waist cinchers do not work well on this body. You look amazeballs!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Oh my lovely sizzlin' sista, you do make me laugh! I am longing to you burn up This Blonde's screen with your new sexy jumper, what a coincidence, but no real surprise as we ARE twin-sistas. Can't wait.
      Hugs, x.

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  4. Wow! what great legs you have. You look fabulous in a skirt. Hopefully we will soon be able to get our legs out more often.
    Love - Jill x www.stylishatsixty.wordpress.com

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    1. Thanks Jill, but I can assure you that it must be mirror trickery because I have absolutely awful legs - big calves and the most ugly knees ever seen! But I'll still be getting them out excitedly when it gets warm. Won't be long eh?
      Hugs, have a great weekend, x.

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  5. You are totally making want a leather skirt! I love each and every one of these cute combos. You have an awesome collection of animal print "jumpers" (that still throws me every time, because a jumper is a kind of dress here...LOL) Sorry about the deleted photos. That's the pits, but you still had so much good stuff to work with. Ah-dorable sweet Mary!!! XOXO

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    1. Thank you, my sweet. You MUST have a leather skirt, Lisa, you will look Ah-dorable in it! So funny about the jumper thing, I think you call our pinafore dresses jumpers. You know, a sort of sheath dress worn over a jumper, oops, sweater! And I've heard Americans call cardigans sweaters. My head's feeling giddy now!
      Hugs, happy weekend, ax.

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  6. I can see why you've kept that leather skirt so long - it's a real classic! And it's true, even my treasured pieces I've had to say goodbye too before their time as they get worn out - investing in higher quality fabrics is a good thing to do! You look fab in leopard print too :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Hi Mica, yes it's wonderful that leather just improves with age and in a classic style it's a winner! Thank you for your kind wirds.
      Hugs and wishing you a cool weekend down under, x.

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  7. You look fabulous in all of these outfits! Lise

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    1. Thanks, sweet Lisa!
      Hugs and weekend happiness to you, x.

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  8. I'm not a huge fan of leather clothing but you've convinced me, Mary. I need a black leather skirt! Another excuse to scour the charity shops - thank you!

    I love your leather skirt paired with leoprint; I especially like the first photo; what fabulous boots. A very elegant look for sure.

    I bet I won't find a leather skirt for love nor money now!

    Have a lovely weekend.
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks so much Vronni and you know, I feel it in my waters, a leather skirt is out there for you. In fact, I have another, a pencil line from the 80s. So many times that's nearly home to the charity shop but I've taken it out of the bag at the last moment! So I'm sure there are women out there more ruthless than me who'll have donated theirs, just keep the faith!!
      Hugs, wishing you weekend happiness, x.

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  9. You make the best point Mary!! It's not hard to take the same idea and do it over and over like this!!
    When I was working, I'd wear the same pants for an entire week, and just change up my tops/jackets. No one really notices unless it's a super cool skirt like this. But I think it's helpful time wise too.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Jodie my dear, I think you totally get me!!! You've noted everything I wanted to get across. Thank you!
      Hugs, x.

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  10. Busy like me decorating? It's amazing how time consuming it is! I've only got one post out this week. I love a leather skirt Mary. The age says it all, and it's still so wearable and timeless. I love this rock chick look on you. I wanted a leather skirt when I was 18 and the shop had to make one to speck because I was so tiny! I bet that wouldn't fit now! xx

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    1. Yes, the blogs have to suffer when serious decorating is afoot.
      Thank you for liking my rock chic, maybe I was inspired by yours!
      And yes, this shows how a classic piece doesn't date. Hopefully!
      I am jaw dropping at your story though, you're petite and slim NOW and you're speculating that you wouldn't fit into your old skirt!!
      Hugs, x.

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