One of the materials DH uses in his antique organ repair is leather. When he told me what he had spent on the first piece he bought, I showed him how one could thrift leather garments in the same texture and finish he needed for his projects. Little by little, we've built up quite a stockpile of leather skirts over the past year, not all of it put to use on the innards of his organ.
I was ecstatic when I realized that leather was on trend for this fall--not so much because I wanted to wear it but because I'd have fun listing it in the new "store." I've had success with most of it--one pair of men's Ralph Lauren in DH's size (31 x 36) made its way to Australia, making a male customer there very happy. However, this pair of women's did not sell and I suspect it had something to do with the quality of the photo I posted. These are new with the tags still attached. And while the tag says they are an 8, they fit more like my usual 10.
What do you think, am I too old to wear such things? I know that IllusClaire carries hers off with a great deal of style, but then she actually rides a bike too and has good reason to wear them. And every time I see her in them, I'm reminded of a road trip my girls and I took back in my single parent days. We found ourselves all caught up in the motorcycle traffic coming and going from Sturgis, South Dakota. At first, it was more than a little intimidating and then the girls, captive in the back seat, befriended these bikers by waving and making funny faces. At one point, we made a pit stop at a gas station in some remote western town. We were standing in line, taking our turns, for the one-hole ladies room when a "gang of girls" in full biker leathers rolled up. And seeing the line, they walked briskly past us and into the one-hole men's room. My little girls were in deep awe! (Credit for this memory also goes to Shybiker who wrote about a ladies room dilemma earlier this week).
Now tell me, would you wear leather?
I would and I do wear leather! I have to admit, I laughed when I saw leather was "on trend" right now. Jeez, I've been wearing it for years! Leather pants - hmmm, those were in my April capsule: http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.ca/2012/04/30-for-30-for-12-challenge-april-recap.html
ReplyDeleteI think you look awesome in these, Terri! Wear them and enjoy them - they look smashing on you.
Sheila--I agree. Leather is a perennial. I know I have a suede skirt I wore last winter.
DeleteI would seriously wear leather, but only for a special occasion. I'm speaking for the waist down, etc..I'd wear a leather jacket or vest anytime. I have a classic leather motorcycle jacket which I hardly ever wear. I'm so in love with it but feel a little butchy in it, or hard core-esque. Maybe I should do a post about that....hmmm. I wouldn't use that expression though. haha!
ReplyDeleteJoni--I have a couple of leather jackets that I'm not at all self-conscious about. And I'm comfortable in my suede skirt, so I'm not quite sure why leather pants don't "feel" right to me.
DeleteThose are GREAT pants.. I love leather pants.. still havent found a pair that suit me.. I have a few leather skirts but not pants yet.. I love the way you paired them with the red belt and absolutely you are not too old for them.. besides.. age is an attitude more than anything else.. and you always have a funky edge to you!! xo xJ
ReplyDeleteJodi--You would look great in leather pants! jeans-style leather pants!
DeleteAge is an attitude, but when you're pushing 60, one has to worry about trying a little too hard.
I LOVE those pants! :-)
ReplyDeleteI would wear a leather skirt (not so much pants) but I haven't found the perfect one yet.
Meghan--It's interesting that you'd say yes to a skirt, but no to the pants. What's the difference? Or can you pinpoint it.
DeleteBTW, your package is one its way.
Hell yeah!! Why not? Leather is forever. Especially when it's been around awhile and broken in. I have jackets I'll never give up, and pants I wish I hadn't. As for skirts, any style can work, it's how you style them. Those pants look great on you. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJean--Maybe it's the fact that these are so new that makes the look feel slightly awkward to me. My leather jackets aren't new and I'm not in the least self-conscious about that.
DeleteI only own leather shoes and purses. I've honestly never thought leather would work well on my body.
ReplyDeleteI can't even believe you're wearing size 10's and 8's even. You look like a teeny tiny size 2!
Lisa--I'm a long way from a size 2. 5'8", big bones, about 140 pounds.
DeleteLeather pants had never occurred to me before these didn't sell.
Aw fabulous pants! Leather is probably my favorite textile of all time. Your pants are gorgeous, especially with the cozy sweater and cool red belt.
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me that I need to pull out my leather skirt. I might have to wear it tomorrow.
MeganMae--I'm sure about the sweater, less sure about the pants.
DeleteAnd I hope you did wear your leather today.
Terri......I would wear leather if I could find some that fits! Leather is not cut for curves (at least in my experience).
ReplyDeleteNo, you are not too old...it looks fantastic!
Lisa--you may be right about leather and curves, unless you have them custom made. Wear those curves with all the pride they deserve.
DeleteNEVER TOO OLD. Age, as I'm sure you agree, is a state of mind. You look great in these! I love your story.
ReplyDeleteMelanie--I'm not looking like I want to join your rock band? Somehow I think Lens is More would approve too.
DeleteYou look way too slim to be a size 10! I think you can wear leather at any age as long as you feel comfortable in it. My mom has leather pants and looks great in them. You look fabulous - and the pants look really luxe.
ReplyDeleteNarda--Size 10 is not a huge size, except in modelling! perhaps I live in a part of the country where you don't often see women my age wear leather.
DeleteCaptivated by your story, you cool chick!
ReplyDeleteMy Mum's signature look was tight leather pants and a fake leopard coat. She dressed like that up until the week before she died at 67.
I'm sure you already know there's no age limit to anything, it's all down to the person wearing it. x
Vix--I love that your mom wore leather up until 67! I suspect that a good pair of leather pants would last a long, long time.
DeleteI have trouble assessing things sometimes, as I don't see this look on other women in my area and at my age very often, unless they are riding or driving a huge motorcycle.
I've always shied away from leather. The cheaper ones I've encountered didn't feel very nice. I love the hand of the really soft expensive garments, but I doubt I'd ever spring for the cost. I don't care for skirts on me unless I'm wearing boots, and that would seem like overkill I think. So, I'm thinking my answer is no - at least for the bottom half. I think leather jackets are much easier to pull off.
ReplyDeleteShelley--You are correct that there are significant differences in the quality of various leathers. The pair I sent to the man in Australia were truly luxe and DH was so disappointed that they didn't quite fit him.
DeleteI agree that I'm less self-conscious about leather jackets than I am about the pants.
I LOVE leather, wear it a lot and don't ever believe that it is solely for the young to wear - I've seen plenty of older women rock leather as you are doing so fabulously here!
ReplyDeleteVeshoevius--Perhaps if I lived in London, I would have more a precedent for women my age wearing leather. I just don't see it in the middle of the Bible belt America.
DeleteI think you look so elegant. It is a timeless look.
ReplyDeleteI am still huntng for a leather skirt. I want it gently flaring out to bang on my knee, Still haven't found it.
Jane--What is your size? I come across so many of these skirts and would love to send you one.
DeleteI think you can rock these leather pants. It can reach across all age ranges. Love your hair too :) Have a great weekend! Heather
ReplyDeleteHeather--I grew my hair out entirely to wear it in this side braid! Two years of effort for one hairdo!
DeleteWow, I love this look...the pants and the sweater are great! I have pondered a leather purchase, but not had the courage to buy one, because I do not really know how much wear I would get from it. But, you may have just given me the courage!
ReplyDeletePam--Your comment made me recall the first leather skirt I bought. DH was with me and I actually asked his permission!? I think I was afraid he would think it was too edgy or provocative or something.
DeleteYou look great in leather, Terri - a very professorial look, imho. Count me among the shocked that you fit a size 10. It's never cold enough, long enough, down here for me to invest in leather trousers, but you are owning this look!
ReplyDeletePatti--thank you. Shock? Ten has been my size forever, except when manufacturers try to play with sizing tags. I can see that leather might be very uncomfortable in Florida.
DeleteSure, why not? And you certainly should, you have it on already, it fits and looks terrific! What does age have to do with anything? Love your biker chick story too.
ReplyDeletePao--I had a strong response to those biker chicks too. For a couple of years I shopped for a Ducati and thought I longed to take a road trip on the bike. And then, I met DH...
DeleteI think you look amazing in those pants!1 I love how you put them with the ivory cowl neck.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to find a nice leather jacket or maybe a skirt.
Tamera--I may have a skirt that fits you. Send me an e-mail and your size. :)
DeleteLeather is a trend for fall? Has it ever NOT been? That's what bugs me the most about "fashion". Must have this year becomes "yuck, that's so last year". Leather never goes out of style.
ReplyDeleteThorne--You're right that leather always seems to be on trend. And with the democratization of fashion, trends are increasingly meaningless.
DeleteWhy not? You look GREAT in them! :D
ReplyDeleteI'd love to find a great pair of leather pants or skirt for this fall/winter.
Jeannie--You would ROCK a pair of leather britches. Do it!
Deletei can not imagine how winter is in your part of the world. but living here in south of germany it is cold and wet and therefore for many years i prefer to wear leather pants for strolling around outside, no wind, nor rain or snow could harm me. unfortunately the leather pants are now to narrow and i haven't replaced them - i think i should.
ReplyDeletei also have a black leather jacket, biker style, and it is one of my favorites in fall and spring. i especially like to pair it with my summer dresses and wollen tights.
you should keep the leather pants. you look so cool and stylish, particularly with that fine red belt!
Sabine--This is very insightful and brings out the practical aspects of leather. I'm going to remember this when we have our first snowfall. The campus where I teach sits on the top of a hill and catches many brutal winds.
DeleteI'm realizing that I've never worn my leather jacket on the blog.
I've had a thrifted pair of NWT black pants in my closet for several falls now and have yet to wear them. They fit okay but I guess I'd prefer them to fit more like jeans than slacks if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI do have a black leather motorcycle jacket that I made my mom go halfsies on with me in high school after seeing an editorial in 90s Sassy of a girl wearing one over a ditsy floral dress with combat boots. I slept in it for months and months hoping to break it in but only ended up wearing out on a handful of occasions. It always feels a bit costume-y to me, but I still have it. Maybe I'll dig it out again this fall... it's finally broken in just right by now.
Good to see you again!
Sandra--I think you've pinpointed the problem with these pants. They don't fit like jeans, which is my preferred form of pants.
DeleteI want to SEE your leather jacket!
Terri, you are not too old to wear leather. You are gorgeous and style-savvy enough to completely carry it off. When I went to the NYC Ballet, I saw women in their 60s and 70s wearing gorgeous leather vests and pants. I was completely blown away by their style. I scored a leather skirt at GoodWill and am hoping our weather is cool enough next week to wear it to work. I love how you styled yours. That skirt is a versatile classic.
ReplyDeleteLynne--I think leather on older women is de rigeur in many places--Germany, London, NYC. My problem is that I live in a little town in Kansas...and I can hear the whispers already!
DeleteI want to see you in your skirt. The first one I purchased felt like such a breakthrough moment in my style evolution.
Terri you can pull ANYTHING off.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the link! :]!
Claire--Well, you do rock your biker pants. The only thing missing is a cape!
DeleteThose are some hot pants. You're not too old to wear anything in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteSusan--All my readers from larger metropolitan cities think these are fine...but small town Kansas is a different proposition. I suppose I should start wearing them so all the other gals feel comfy to wear their hidden pair.
DeleteTerri, I think these pants look good on you so, yes!, wear them!!
ReplyDeleteHeather--I've had such support here, I just might do it. I'm thinking I'll show up for the one face to face final I have to give and make my students wonder!
DeleteIf you are going to wear leather pants, (and I think you should), these are not the ones. They are way too loose for a leather pant. But a fine fit for a woven wool.
ReplyDeleteBeryl--I do wish they fit more like a pair of my jeans! And, yes, wool pants ought to fit the way these do.
DeleteOf course you can wear leather pants! You have such a great figure for any pants, and when you style the leather with other textures like knit, suede or wool, it's stylish and ageless. In my opinion!
ReplyDeleteIf you decide you don't care about the whispering, you can always go for the Rock n Roll version: Printed t-shirt, biker boots and sunglasses!
kaffesoester--Hm, I don't own any printed tees although I've been to plenty of concerts and no biker boots, alas!
DeleteYou should definitely wear those; they look fantastic on you! And I wear leather quite a lot, and would definitely wear a pair of leather pants if I could find some that fit properly. I am just thrilled that leather is on trend right now, even though I've happily worn it off-trend as well.
ReplyDeleteAna--I may just send these your way as I strongly suspect that they are mis-sized deadstock, which I why I got my hands on them in the first place. Let me know.
DeleteAre you kidding?! You are rocking those leather jeans! You have a gorgeous figure.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed reading the biker experience. Bikers over here are pretty scary.
Carolyn--Initially, I had thought our bikers were pretty scary, but in the US, many of them are Vietnam era vets, guys who were handed a raw deal. I'd be interested to know why Aussie bikers are scary.
DeleteI love those leather pants on you! I think they look great, and you should wear away! I have a leather jacket, and I've been searching a long time for the right pair of leather pants or a leather skirt, but no luck so far. I'd wear them all the time if I could find the right pair!
ReplyDeleteStacey--I doubt I'll find a pair of maternity leather pants, but i come across the pants pretty frequently and I'll let you know after the wee one is here.
DeleteYou look great in the leather pants! I don't think age has anything to do with wearing leather. I have several jackets and they will probably always be in my closet. Keep stunning us with your 'finds.'
ReplyDeleteJudith--I'm less challenged by the jackets. I suspect my hangups about the pants are because I live in a less populated, and perhaps less sophisticated part of the world.
DeleteYou are definitely not too old to pull off this leather! I think the reason it works on you is because it isn't a second-skin fit, but looser/baggier. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteLeather itself doesn't seem like an age issue to me, it is more an issue of the style of the garment. The pants look classic and you wear them well.
ReplyDeleteDarla