Are we too old for leather leggings?

We have a loyal reader in Montana who sent us this question:

"Am I too old for leather leggings? My personal shopper made my buy then at Nordies - they're (p)leather in the front and legging material on the back. I like them but not sure... Advice? Am I smoking crack?

They looked v cute with a white and black long sleeves Vince sweater. Which leads me to my 2nd question. It was so soft and cozy I could die. But at $335 for a non staple item - it was too much. Any ideas for the same look & style for less??"

NO!  You are NOT TOO OLD for leather leggings.  Lisa and I BOTH have a pair.  They are EVERYWHERE this year and just gaining in popularity.  The trick is, how to wear them.  I favor a slightly oversized sweater (with or without top underneath, that can cover your posterior) worn with really sharp (as in spiffy) ballet flats OR, more often than not, heels.  See these looks for some of my favorites (I actually have the same sweater/top combination in the Olivia Palermo photo - first photo - and wear them over my leggings as well).

Images from pinterest.com.

Onto your second question - Lisa and I are HUGE fans of most things Vince.  I understand the dilemma with spending a large amount of money on an item like this.  Part of me wants to say "buy fewer things of a high quality (Vince) rather than a couple of things that are lower quality".  The other part of me says "what else is out there?".   (And, there's a 3rd part of me that would watch sites like Bloomingdales.com or Saks.com like a hawk for a sale and buy the Vince sweater then.  Yes, I do that.)

I took to Polyvore to see if I could find a couple of items that might fit the bill at a lower price point.  Nordstrom's Trouve line and Piperlime.com had some good choices.  I will say that Vince's sweater softness and ease of wearing trumps a lot out there.  Hope this inspires!  Good luck, and enjoy your leggings! ~ JH

W2WW: With Leather Leggings

Michael Kors loose fitting sweater / OTTE oversized sweater / Uniqlo sweater / Trouvé over sized sweater / Halogen long sweater / Thml Clothing black top / J.Crew white blouse / Madewell chambray shirt / ELAN pullover sweater / Kensie pull on pants / Vince slim pants / Halogen ponte pants

...it's Fall 2012: Peplum

Peplum is huge this fall.  What is peplum?  It's a short, flared or gathered piece of material attached to a garment of clothing at a woman's waist.  Every catalogue this season has a piece or 2 and the mannequins in stores are wearing it.  It's on tops, dresses, skirt waists and sweaters.  I have to admit, it's taken me a little bit to be convinced of this look.  I have hips, and therefore thought that peplum would make my hips even bigger than they are.  Not a good look; my hips are big enough without extra fabric floating around them.

But, a little top from W by Worth has made me change my mind and I want everyone to try out a little peplum!  This is the top in question (mine is black though, not brown):

Image from pinterest.com.

It's ponte knit with a lace overlay and zipper up the back.  I have to say, it changed my mind completely!   The peplum didn't exaggerate my hips as I thought it would and actually defined my waist nicely.

So, the question was, do I get this or another piece?  In all honesty, I think everyone should start with ONE key peplum piece this fall.  Just one.  See how you like it before diving into the deep end of the peplum pool.  Then the question is, do you go with something dressy or more casual, everyday.

Because I needed a dinner kind of outfit for a family event, this top worked for me.  I will be paring it with a black pencil skirt (also with lace overlay) and some grey suede heels.  Since it also looks great over pants, I hope use it several times this fall and winter.  

If you think you want your peplum to be dressy, look for it in silk tops, skirts or dresses.  I love the detail on this flower print, peplum top from Zara, and can see this too over a pencil skirt, or as they show it, with pants.  And, at $59.90, it's a nice way to try out the trend without breaking the bank.

Image from zara.com.

When I've seen peplum on dresses, they have usually been solid color garments with the peplum breaking up the column of color.  This Sandro dress is great and I could see it easily on a brunette with an oxblood pump accessorized with gold jewelry.

Image from net-a-porter.com.

If you want a little less of a ruffle, check out this dress from Tibi.  The peplum is stitched down and more subtle.  I love the cobalt blue!

Image from nordstrom.com.

Lisa scored this top at the Nordstrom anniversary sale, capturing 2 fall trends in one:  leather and peplum.  By Halogen, this top has a leather front, jersey back, and we can see it over jeans as well as a bright pencil skirt.

Image from nordstrom.com.

For 'everyday' peplum, there are some fun choices out there.  Tory Burch is showing this peplum sweater and, cleverly, features a couple of ways to wear it.  

Images from toryburch.com.

I love how she showed it both with a skirt and with pants.  And if camel isn't your color, it also comes in black and red.  LOVE.

For a budget-friendly option, this casual top by Bobeau is on sale right now at Nordstrom for $37.70.  Cute over dark jeans, pants, and in an oxblood color!

Image from nordstrom.com.

I am REALLY digging this next top for everyday wear! Am I going to break my start-with-one-piece-of-peplum rule?!  By Rebecca Taylor, this top is so easy over skinny black or denim pants with ballet flats!  Says 'hip mommy' to me.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Finally, one last piece.  A fantasy piece.  Because at $2990, it's never coming home.  As much as I want it to.  Ridiculously fabulous.  The Row's Loxton jacket.  So simple, over a long-sleeve white t-shirt and skinny jeans with pumps.  That jacket stands all on it's own.  I need a moment.

Image from barneys.com.

And with that, I'll put this post (and myself) to bed.  Let us know what peplum piece you love! ~ JH