Styling a long leather skirt

So a week or two ago I was browsing at the thrift store and came across a long leather skirt. Not a typical sort of piece I wear, but I've been trying to get more into long skirts, and this one was nice, sleek, buttery-soft, and very black. It was a wee bit big on me, but once it settled on my hips it fit okay. Has a narrower silhouette, which cuts my normal stride, which is rather long for my height, a little short. So, because it was unique and interesting and I kind of liked how unusual it was, I decided what the hell, I'd buy it.

Now I've been trying to figure out how to wear it. I realized I may have broken my own rule and bought something I'll never really use (bad style writer, bad!) but it was just a few bucks so it's no big loss if I can't make it work. Today I decided to give it a try.

My personal theory on how best to style pieces that are excessively... something-- in this case, eye-catching, uniquely textured, and large --is to contrast it with other pieces that are the opposite to balance everything out. So naturally given the qualities of this skirt I want something small and fitted in a neutral texture with a simple shape. But because it only fits me if worn around my hips, the top would have to be kind of long so as to cover the waistband. That wouldn't be such a big deal for me, except that I was dressing for work and wearing leggings, the waist of which comes up higher than the skirt. So I wanted all that covered.

The first thing I tried was my long gray graphic top that is kind of like a tunic, though not quite because I generally hate those. I thought it would be sleek enough and long enough to make the right effect, but having to slide over the skirt just made it go all boxy on me. Bah. I needed close-fitting. So I thought again. And decided that I couldn't go wrong with black on black (which is the new black, you know). I choose my black close-fitting tank that has subtle ribbing and lace at the collar, which has the added bonus of being a bit long. I tried it on and all my criteria were met! Suddenly I had a clean, trim line in a much subtler texture to contrast with the long, wide, shiny skirt.

I am very pleased with myself being able to use my own rules to build a workable outfit around a kind of out-there piece. Yay me!

Party dresses!

I am already unable to stop myself from figuring out what I will be wearing for my proposed fancy dress party. I have more formal dresses than I realized, none of which come out to play nearly enough, which is one of the reasons I want to throw the party in the first place. But which to choose? The flame-orange Andromeda dress Frances wore to such fabulous effect in To Think of Nothing, with its old-fashioned glamor and striking color? The sparkly black party dress with the visually interesting rouched front that flatters my bust and but perhaps makes me look a bit wide? The simple black one-shouldered cocktail dress with the sleek line and the asymmetric hem? The short cocktail dress that is also just plain black and has a demure front but hugs my curves and is so backless it's dangerous? The new gray Chinese gown with the high elegant neck that fits me perfectly? Or the sparkly deep blue dress that is a great color, has interesting details, and looks absolutely fantastic on me?

Ah, decisions, descisions. My choice will probably be influenced by which dress I wear in other recent events, such as for The Prince Comes of Age at Festival. Hair and accessories will be chosen based on the dress. That still doesn't narrow it down much. Maybe I could just do that diva thing where I change outfits periodically throughout the evening. ;-)

There are of course other things I will have to plan for it. But for now, all I care about is how pretty I'm going to look!