Are leather pencil skirts dated?

[Relaxaholic]

Hi all, I have a birthday coming up and would like to use my birthday money to buy a classic leather pencil skirt. I love the look of the green one Meghan Markle wore when she was still ‘in’ the working royal family. However that was quite a while ago now and I’m not sure if they are dated now. I don’t know if I would go for green or another colour. I’m 45 and want to have an up to date look. Any advice would be most welcome!

I think Meghan looks lovely in hers and I have a few colleagues who have black ones that look amazing, so I absolutely disagree that they are dated. I have a whistles leather a-line skirt (so not pencil) that I love too. Great with a chunky jumper.

If I were determined to buy one it would only be from here:

Teurn Studios

Nothing else would do.

That the type I wear - midi length with a split to the front/side kind of wrap style - very very flattering. I have a burgundy one, dark olive green, black and also brown. I wear them all the time to work with boots. I get compliments practically every day. Mine are not real leather though, I wouldn’t dream of spending £140 on one skirt.

I have two and love them. I think they are pretty timeless.

Some beautiful midi ones posted here, and I agree with the poster upthread about looking for a front split. I’m short so I think the split would be more flattering

Some encouraging posts here, too! I think I’ll order a few and see what looks good

I would probably wear ankle boots or flat brogues with them. I’m not a smart trainer person (they look weird on me) and can’t wear heels these days

@JMAngel1 @Doublevodka where are yours from?

Go for it. I get a lot of use out of my leather skirts. Date nights, work, dressy events... some outfits of mine below.

If you feel good in it, you will look good in it. Fashion is fickle, go for it.

Not true, they are a classic. I bought one in 2014. Leather and leopard print never go out of fashion. It's all about how you style it.

I'd be tempted to order a cheap one off Vinted to give it a try, and then when you know what you like/dislike about it and whether you're actually going to wear it instead of leaving it languishing in your wardrobe you can narrow down your search. You can probably get a faux leather skirt for about £7 posted.

I would highly recommend looking at vintage - I just bought a St Michael suede midi skirt and it is absolutely beautiful... and has pockets!!! It was under £15 inc fees and postage.

I did find this beauty too - but sadly I'm a modern 10-12 aka a vintage 16, going by these measurements

www.vinted.co.uk/items/4638107446-vintage-90s-dark-grey-leather-knee-length-skirt 

Im response to @Showrr

Ok! I consider myself told ☺️

I will if you will!

I'm sorry. Yes terribly

This is a great idea. I was kind of looking for one but I tried on a denim one in the same shape (midi with a front split) and it was awful on me, just the wrong shape.

Get a wee pleather one and see how many times you wear it before committing to a dearer one.

As someone who was brought up by a Mum with a passion for 1950/60's movies, I will always love a pencil skirt! Love some of the ones suggested but MM's looks like she's wearing a size too big. It looks like it almost works but still slightly weird.

Agree, also need an oversized top / shirt tucked in rather than a structured blouse like Megan. Shoes also matter. Look at Lydia Tomlinson on insta

Absolutely love this one but not sure about the Ceffin one, I think there are nicer than that around
I think if styled correctly they can be very sophisticated,

MsWintertowne
Honestly - for anyone who isn’t actually a clothes designer it’s probably better to be guided by what fashionable shops are currently selling, rather than prescribing what you want first and then looking for it.

We are not all sheep.

Who cares if it's 'dated' just wear what you want. A lot of fashion is about how you style the item!

Yes, sorry OP!

Very dated, and though mumsnet hates the phrase, a bit muttony… I wouldn’t. Spend the money on a really beautiful and expensive coat or classic piece of jewellery instead.

Jeez. This is ridiculous.

Misogynistic fucking claptrap.

Ageist misogynistic fucking claptrap.

@Flossflower I realised after I’d posted that I should have been clearer. To re-phrase - For anyone who wants to look fashionable and who isn’t actually a clothes designer …

No one is at all obliged to follow anyone else’s guidance on getting dressed - but the OP was asking whether something would look dated - so presumably she wants to look up to date.

(I’ve seen countless threads on S&B where posters ostensibly want to update their wardrobes but are then resistant to any new ideas and insist on exactly the shapes, colours and proportions they have always worn. Or they create a thread describing in precise detail the garment they want to buy - and are unreasonably frustrated when it isn’t to be found in any 21st century shop.)

Even people who claim to despise the entire fashion industry cannot help being vaguely fashionable if they’re shopping in contemporary shops - that’s why we don’t see many huge ruffs, hoop skirts or bustles on the Tube.

@MsWintertowne
The reason we don’t see hooped skirts and bustles on the tube, or indeed down the street is because they are not practical for today’s lifestyles. The very heavy underwear that was required for these fashions made them almost impossible to wear. If people want to wear something they should. They might be a trendsetter rather than a trend follower. When everyone follows everyone else like sheep, the last few are dated.