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

You got the silver…

silver2
Time for Silver Shoes

I am beyond OBSESSED with silver shoes right now!  It all started when I impulsively purchased #3 one dreary day during lunch.  I wore the shoes almost immediately and every time I looked down to admire my new purchase I smiled with shoe happiness.  There is no bad time to sport a silver shoe, although my personal favorite is at night after a day at the beach and accessorized with the perfect slip dress, silver jewelry and a fresh pedicure!

Since my first silver shoe purchase I have acquired #5 with plans to add #4 to my collection next payday.  I am also coveting #12 and #14 but those shoes may be mine in dreams only, since I live a decidedly non-12/14 lifestyle.  How about you?  Which number – or numbers – speaks to you?  I’d love to know…

12  |  3 |  45  | 67  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  
*You Got The Silver – Keith Richards

Dark and grey…

Greys
Midi 3 Way

Each season I feature ways to re-create my favorite runway looks (my 2016 recreations can be found here, here and here).  Some of the hot trends for Fall 2017 include fringe, checked fabrics, velvets, midi length skirts and dresses, broad shoulders and the color grey – all featured above.  After countless hours spent viewing the shows from New York, Milan, London and Paris I keep coming back to the fashions created by Lela Rose, Victoria Beckham, Christian Siriano, Isabel Marant and Michael Kors.

Any of the ‘3 Midi’s’ pictured above (all from Michael Kors Fall 2017 collection) would be easy to sew and flattering to almost everyone.  Of course, some basic pattern alteration would be required (either by extending hemlines and/or altering the skirt side seam angles) but anyone with moderate sewing skills could easily make the changes before cutting out the pattern.  After you’ve finished the garment accessorize as you see fit and you’ll be ready to rock fall…

LEOPARD
Perfume |  Earrings   |  Skinny Belt   |   Gloves  |   Ankle Booties
VELVET
Perfume   |   Earrings   |   Bag  |   Pumps
Houndstooth
Perfume Earrings   |  Belt  |   Bag  |   Boots

Next up – more of my ‘Recreating the Runway’ series featuring my favorite floral and velvet looks.

*Dark and Grey – Kid Rock

Go and get yourself some big black frames…

Feb2Post
New googles

A theft of my cherished Ray Bans combined with daily prolonged computer time has forced me to finally upgrade my glasses game.  My search began a few weeks ago and I had no trouble finding sunglass frames but settling on the perfect pair of eyeglasses was a much more involved process.  This weekend I finally found THE pair, and come Saturday I’ll be rocking the Michael Kors Palos Verdes frame for indoors and the Tory Birch Ty 7078’s for outside.