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

Easy as 1, 2, 3….

back2school
23 Pieces = 960 Looks 

You know it’s bad when your mom wants to know if you are ever going to post again… I’ve been dealing with some significant life changes over the past month with have left me with zero free time and zapped all of my creative energy.  Still, its almost Labor Day and I always feel nostalgic for back-to-school shopping around this time of year.  I am also sick of wearing all of my summer things, so I decided to spend what little free time I’ve been able to muster surfing the web to create an adult version of a back-to-school wardrobe for the fall.

I’ve written before abut traveling light and making less do more (here)  so the 1 coat, 2 bags, 3 shoes, 4 bottoms, 5 tops strategy pictured above would provide me with enough outfit variety for well over 2 years.  Given lots of free time and a bottomless pocketbook here’s what I’d buy to make my back-to-school fantasy a reality:

Red Crepe Blazer
Rebecca Minkoff Darren Leather Backpack Alexandra de Curtis Red Bowling Bag
Red Stiletto Bootie  |  Kendall & Kylie Calla Slouch Boot Acne Studios  Jensen Boot
Caroline Rose Silk Crepe Trouser Three Dots Leopard Midi 1901 Button Front Plaid SkirtZara Flared Pant
Kensie V-Back Bell Sleeve TopMoncler Ciclista Sweater Alice & Olivia Meredith Slit-Sleeve Tie Neck TopAcne Studies Oversized Sweater  ATM Anthony Thomas Melillio Schoolboy Crewneck T
Norma Kamali Square Cat Eye Sunnies Elizabeth & James Frey Sunnies
Tom Ford Ultrashine Cherry Lipgloss Kate Spade Cactus Flower Scarf Pleated Necklace  |  Lauren Ralph Lauren Ana Silk Square Scarf Nest Cocoa Woods Rollerball     | Pearl Ball Earrings  |
Black/White Chandelier Earrings Ettika Disc Earrings

How about you?  Are you tired of summer clothing?  What kinds of fashion are you looking forward too this fall?  Drop me a line…I’d love to know…

*ABC – The Jackson 5