Tough girl glamour is big this season. Fashion expert Alex Perry shows us how to wear leather and lace without looking like a Stevie Nicks throwback- including types of leather and lace, choices of colour and the best accessories and styling tips to pull off both these key fashion trends.
Does the thought of wearing leather and lace have you smack bang on the fine line between pleasure and pain? Does it conjure up images of Nanna’s doily collection exploding at a Hellfire club? Well, toughen up Princesses – this season leather AND lace are HUGE. Especially when worn together.
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But just how do you pull off this trend without looking like Steven Tyler borrowed Stevie Nicks nylon Bridesmaid catastrophe of a dress (you know, the one with the handkerchief hemline)?! Read on, as I share my tips on how to mix pretty with fierce, and inject some tough girl glamour into your Winter wardrobe. Without looking like a Dynasty throwback…
Tough Luxe Leather…
Leather pants have hit their stride – the ultimate rock chic essentials are everywhere, made from super soft calfskin, manmade “pleather” and “leather look” spandex. Look for leather panel insert detail in pants and fitted pencil skirts. Think Betty Draper visits the Charlies Angels film set. Reference Sixties minimalism with chic leather shift dresses and cropped leather biker-ish jackets. Cheer for goal with cheeky A-Line minis that look like netball skirts.
Pretty Girly Lacy…
This is no Picnic at Hanging Rock, ladies! Look out for body con dresses with sheer lace panels, sleeves or peek a boo cut out backs. Go for simple fitted super short dresses with boat necklines, ¾ length sleeves and made entirely of graphic bold lace. Or opt for a delicate Victorian blouse made from the finest sheer lace.
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Colour…
Fashionistas know it’s always best to rock it out in black. Or deep crimson red. Or the other end of the spectrum in icy pastels or alpine white. Whichever the hue, Monochrome is the way. Black lace over a flesh coloured slip (or skin) showcases filigree or lattice lace at its best.
Accessories…
Try the trend by sampling some Leather and Lace accessories. Leather cuffs add tough girl cred, as do wide stranded waist cinch leather belts. Legs are lovely in lace hosiery. Keep your things “nice” with chic evening clutch bags wrapped in lace. Likewise ballet flats or stiletto pumps overlaid with lace detailing. Leather gloves are perennially expensive looking… however save lace gloves for those enjoying them for the very first time!
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Alex’s Top Tip…
Keep it SIMPLE (did I just say that?!). Leather and lace are both really strong components so back off the bling and other tricky stuff. Keep hair sleek, blow dried straight or slicked into a pony or bun. The key to making Leather and Lace work is in the balance of the feminine and masculine elements. So, if your outfit edges more to the lacy pretty girly side, then toughen it up with harder leather accessories, a strong red lip and slicked back hair. If you’re heavier on the leather, va voom the seventies luxe hair and add a dramatic sooty eye with a winged flick of liner to femme things up.
When you nail this look it’s hard to beat. When the White Winged Dove meets Leather Tuscadero, tough girl glamour has never been so totally cool and on trend. And not a handkerchief doily hem in sight.
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