Black leather, black leather…

HI LOW SEW LEATHER copyEarlier this month I showcased some ‘High,Low, Sew’ red suiting looks.  which could really work in any season depending on the fabric. Now that it is officially fall, my fashion mind is turning toward all things warm, including two more Fall 2023 trends: leather and long skirts. I’m seeing the leather trend play out in pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, and jackets available at every price point using authentic skins and synthetic fabrics that look as good as the real thing.

A circle skirt is one of the easiest things you can make, and that may be a good thing since I haven’t seen too many options for sale.  What I have seen a TON of is leather, especially in pants and motorcycle jackets.  I’m not going to lie: I am never going to attempt to make anything from skins, mainly due to my sewing machine’s ability to handle heavy work.  I am planning on making a circle skirt though, using synthetic leather, since those fabrics are easily handled by any of my vintage sewing machines.

As for the jacket? I am a Moto momma all the way. I stole my first motorcycle jacket from my dad when I was a young teen and never gave it back. It took me 10 years to wear that jacket out before moving on to two other much-beloved versions I also wore for decades.  Sadly, I’ve outgrown both over time, so lucky for me I can buy, or make, a replacement this fall.  Now I just need to find the perfect pair of rock-and-roll boots to wear with both and I am set!

High: Alexander McQueen Cropped Leather Moto Jacket with Abstract Floral Detail | Balenciaga A-Line Lambskin Leather Skirt | Cinq a Sept Marta Silk Camisole
Low:  Wish Motorcycle Jacket with Graffiti Printing | Chic Wish Belted Texture Flare Maxi Skirt | Renee C. Polka Dot Satin Tank Top
Sew:  McCalls M8188 Unisex Moto Jacket | Vogue V1961 Skirt | Simplicity PDS9827 Camisole | Willow Lane Textiles Tint Dots | Onyx Black Glossy Leather Hide | White Pleather | Premium Black Silk Duchesse Satin | Hot Pink Silk Charmeuse
Bonus Items: Josephine Croc-Embossed Leather Tube Boots | Behind the Seams: My Life in RhinestonesTom Ford Rose Prick Perfume | Hit Girls: Women of Punk Rock 1975-1983 | Aqua Red Crocodile Pointed Toe High Heel Boots | Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings | Michael Kors Mallorca Sunglasses | Nars Vivid Pink Matte Lipstick
*Black Leather  – Sex Pistols

Little red riding hood…

Labor Day always makes me think about fall, and adding some key pieces to my fall/winter wardrobe. That might have to do with fondly-remembered annual back-to-school shopping trips with my mom and sister, which always involved a train ride into the city, a visit to Wanamaker’s to see the Eagle and wander through their high fashion floors, lunch at Trio’s (where I always had a grilled cheese with ripple chips, a pickle and a chocolate milkshake) and a stop to see my fashionable grand-mom at the clothing store where she worked.

Back then, we mostly shopped for jumpers and Peter Pan collared blouses, since I wore the same style uniform to school for 12 years.  Once I hit college I adopted my generation’s uniform of jeans, concert T’s, and hippie dresses.  Nowadays I am drawn to classic, some would even say uniform-like, styles. The top 10 2023 fall fashion trends, which include anything colored red, boxy blazers, clunky earrings and classic suiting, are perfectly suited to my style.

With this post, I’m replacing my ‘Recreate the Runway’ feature (check older posts here, here, and here) with a High/Low/Sew feature.  Style has nothing to do with the size of your pocketbook, and great fashion can be found at any price point if you know what to look for, or can make it yourself.  As a practitioner of high-low fashion years before it was a hashtag trend, my periodic High/Low/Sew posts show that no matter what option you choose, you’ll be perfectly suited for any occasion!

Hi:  Alexander McQueen Classic Single Breasted Blazer  | Alexander McQueen Slim Bootcut Pants | Sam Edelman Vance Knee High Boot | Alexander McQueen Mini Aura Earrings
Low: Aggi Susanna Blazer | Ann Taylor Wide Leg Pant | Aqua Gal Booties | Textured Teardrop Earrings
Sew: Burda Blazer 110 (Style 12/21) | Vogue Jacket and Pants (V1870) | Fabrics left to right (Merino Wool Suiting, Floral Silk Charmeuse, Silky Peachskin | Stripe Print Bubble Crepe | Wool Crepe
Bonus Items: Chole Eau de Perfume |  Books: Stephen Klein | Ann Lowe American Courtier
*Little Red Riding Hood – Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs