The Leather Skirt: Don't Knock It Til You've Tried It

One great thing about fashion is that trends always keep coming back. It meant I saved tons of money when grunge came back in fashion. While most were spending their student loan on combat boots and oversized plaids, I could just trawl through the gloomy caverns of my mum's wardrobe.

However, one of fashion's pitfalls is that sometimes you just can't get on board with all trends, which in many respects is no bad thing. Being 'stylish' shouldn't necessarily be about wearing every trend moments after it hits the catwalk, but sometimes people seem to bash trends because they're scared of the reception they'll get when wearing them.

In this case, the leather skirt is a contradiction of sorts. A hot trend for Spring/Summer 2010, it's been hailed as something to hold onto for the colder months ahead. Great for those of you who own one and love it, but rather daunting for those who don't.

The problem with leather skirts is that they've been given a fair bit of bad press. As funny as 'Gavin and Stacey's Nessa is, she's hardly a style icon, but she's probably one of the first people to come to most sceptics heads when they think of this trend. Fishnets and knee-high boots aren't what we're looking for and with this in mind, I decided to compile my own (hopefully far more elegant) list of leather skirt 'Do's':

Do keep it simple: If you're going to go for the leather skirt, minimalistic hair and make-up are the name of the game. A cool idea is to team your skirt with a printed t-shirt (see the photo of Agyness Deyn), or a cropped white one.



Do think outside the box: One fantastic thing about leather skirts being on the scene is that you don't just have to go for a basic black number. Leifsdottir have done a gorgeous frilled one, which at £302.75 is probably out of most people's price range, but there are plenty of high street alternatives to choose from. Style.com's 'go-to autumn outfit' also includes a leather skirt in this season's camel colour.

Do be romantic: To counteract the toughness of leather, try teaming your skirt with soft fabrics in nude colours, such as a loose-fitting silk or chiffon shirt.

With these tips, hopefully you can rest easy in your leather skirt and look more heavenly than Hell's Angels.

Now Wearing: Vintage blue denim jacket, rose-print hanky hem top, black bodycon skirt and black tights.

Now Playing: The Knife - Marble House

Now Coveting: Acne Loose Tapered Trousers

Post written by Mary-Jo Hamer ahumandadrum

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