£195 skirt - is this crazy?

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

I have a clingy bf 6mo and a toddler so don't get to shop often (apart from at co-op) .

Last week I had a rare few hours free in Oxford Circus and £300 birthday money burning a whole in my pocket. I really wanted something different from my usual bf mum uniform of jeans and machine washable tops and I fell in love with this:

www.reiss.com/p/leather-aline-skirt-womens-chiya-in-black/?q=Leather+skirt

Is it a lovely as I think? I'm having doubts as it's a big investment for me and I've never owned a leather skirt before. Are there cheaper alternatives that are as nice? I want something for evenings out without the babies that makes me feel like a real person again (no pressure, skirt!).

For the record, I'm early 30s and size 8/10 and my dm and DH both think it looks nice and I should treat myself.

Wow that's long! Wanted to add that I'll be wearing it with flats not heels and with oversized jumpers, tucked in skinny jumpers and long sleeve tops so not as dressy as the photo.

I think you should listen to your mum

It's gorgeous and will last for years.

I'd say definitely treat yourself with your birthday money.

If you want to wear it with oversized jumpers I suggest looking for a more fitted version (there was a thread on them on these boards not too long ago), it's a lovely skirt but with an A-line silhouette it works better to have something fitted on top. I have a black leather mini (bought in H&M in the sale years ago) and get a lot of use out of it (wear it with boots and oversized jumpers currently but can easily tuck in something tight on top too), far more versatile than I expected.

Found the thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2765870-Leather-skirt

The straight one on the other thread is a bit meh. And one it's been sat down in a few times the arse will stretch out, and never go back
The one you chose is lively and because it won't do that will actually be an investment for years, do it!

Lovely, not lively

You should buy it, I think it's actually a good price for a skirt like that and obviously it will last longer; I wouldn't go for the cheaper alternative.

Hello fellow leather skirter! I ended up sending the straight one from Jigsaw back and got the white company one which is probably in between the two (and is really lovely). As someone else said I wanted to wear it with a slouchier top so went for the less a-line cut. There is an a-line jigsaw one that's a bit less money but to be honest you saw yours and loved it, it was within your Birthday budget, I say keep it and wear it and feel happy every time you do!

It's lovely but I'm not convinced you'll get as much wear out of it as you think you will. It's a distinctive shape. It's not a classic. I think the novelty will wear off.

The style will date, so although the skirt will last for years, you won't want to wear it.

I think it's lovely

Because it is A line you will be able to sit down without showing your knickers.Because it is leather you will be able to wipe DC slime off of it perfect.

I think everything dates but I wouldn't worry about that. Provided you can afford it, I would just get it, enjoy it and work it very hard. That means no saving for best.

I think it'll date sorry.

I've been umming and aahing over a knee length leather pencil skirt for a while oasis have a nice one but I remember a nice (and not bloody cheap either!) Jigsaw pencil one I had (too small now ebayed) but the slit up the back came loose slightly which I was cross about.

It's lovely OP. You should get it if you love it!

LIke a PP I got the White Company one and I love it...

Hmm, only you know you're personal style. Will you wear it often, like properly? Because I also think it's one of those skirts that could date.

I think the white company skirt is a better buy. It's more of an investment piece due to the simpler shape. I can see it getting more wear than the Reiss skirt (despite it being really lovely).

I really love the Reiss one, I think the white company one is....dare I say it....boring!!!!

Treat yourself and make sure to wear it and not save it for 'best'!

Ok! You've convinced me. Think I just needed a little push. I like all the linked ones but I have s curvy bum so pp who mentioned stretching out a straight fit one is probably right. I'll buy it and wear it lots and feel good and if it goes out of style I'll pack it away for a bit and hope I can still carry it off when it comes back in style. Thanks everyone!

Yeah the white company one is less of a statement than the Reiss one but that possibly makes it more wearable if you're looking for a "price per wear justification". But I really believe you don't have to- you had £300 birthday money and spent 2/3 of it on something that you love. That's what birthday money is for. You can wear it all the time or just wear it a few times if you love it and it feels good. If you don't love it, or you won't feel good or comfortable wearing it then think about an alternative. Otherwise I don't think there's anything wrong with just having something you love for your birthday!

I think the OP is too busy swishing around in her lovely skirt to reply.....