Ages ago, when I was in regular public school, my kindergarten classmates were a highly creative bunch. They shunned your typical playground taunts and instead developed highly interesting, personalized methods of teasing for one another. Since I was fairly popular at that age, not too many of them dared tease me. But they did come up with a poem, one that has stayed with me all these years:
Heather Feather,
how’s the weather,
in that tight hot leather?
Needless to say, I was not a member of Hell’s Toddlers, so I didn’t come into class wearing leather of any sort. But they seemed to think it was funny, so that sing-songy poem followed me everywhere. I think it may have had an adverse and unexpected reaction, because as long as I can remember I’ve wanted a leather jacket and matching leather pants.
I’m a good little Mormon girl, whatever would I want a leather outfit for? I’m not particularly fond of motorcycles or biker gangs, I don’t really want to look like a tart, I just think certain kinds of leather look lovely. I distinctly remember seeing a beautiful woman in Italy when I was twelve, walking around in these gorgeous black leather pants and a perfect white silk blouse. She looked fabulously stylish, and as a chubby pre-teen I idolized her. I wanted to look just like her when I grew up, only shaped a bit more like Jayne Mansfield.
I have to say, I’m pretty chuffed that I got relatively close to my Jayne Mansfield wish. The only downside to this is that it’s been wholly disappointing trying to find a jacket to fit a Mansfieldesque frame. I just didn’t think they existed and I was forever doomed to be on the outside looking in on a stylish Emma Peel inspired world of cowhide.
That is, until last week when I stopped by Wilsons Leather in my local mall. They were having a 50% off sale, so I thought, hey, maybe I can find a funny purse or something. But lo and behold, I stumbled across the perfect specimen of a black leather jacket. It wasn’t the least bit bikerish, but it was black, it was rouched in the front, and best of all, it fit! It didn’t hide my curves, I could zip it up all the way, and it was only $100. In the immortal words of Cole Porter, “so in love…”
I tried to take some pictures of my new jacket so I could show it off and be all proud of myself. Well, I’m a bit too proud, and have been threatened by several male friends in regard to posting said pictures online. So in lieu of my photos, I present this model in my jacket courtesy of WilsonsLeather.com – check it out. Isn’t it pretty? It was worth the waiting, the idolizing, the dreaming of leather since the age of 5. I got the shape I wanted, I got the jacket I wanted, so what does that leave?
That’s right, the leather pants. But what am I to do? I’m so conflicted; leather pants are a big step, they’re a big commitment. Or rather, would I be commited if I bought leather pants? Would I suddenly look like a tart and/or a biker chick? Would I be treading on dangerous, suggestive ground? Or would I accomplish my prepubescent dream of being like that stylish Italian woman of yesteryear, sashaying through downtown Rome with the confidence that she looks drop dead gorgeous (emphasis on the ‘drop dead’)?
The Wilson’s Leather in Tysons Corner has these pants in my size and they’re holding them for me. They’re $100. They’d make me look like a curvy Emma Peel. Or would that be a bad thing? Opinions, please, cause I’ve been debating this for a week and I’m no closer to an answer. Should I, or should I not, make the prophesy of a bunch of kindergarteners come true?
I dunno… leather jacket, leather pants. sounds like a direct route to the underworld or a loss of innocence.
The leather jacket was cool. Leather pants would not. Leather pants are not stylish.
Heh, the leather pants dilemma. I’ve got a couple of nice leather jackets from Wilson’s, and I briefly thought about a pair of leather pants that were on sale, but really, when would I wear them? Maybe women have more opportunities to wear them (while out shopping in fashionable stores, perhaps?) but I couldn’t think of any occasion that I could wear them without looking like a freak.
I have the same dilemma with kilts, though I suspect they would at least be far more comfortable than leather pants. Oh well. For now, I stick to jeans, slacks, and cords.
Here’s the thing, do your thighs touch when you walk? Because if they do, then forget about it. Do you have any idea what it feels like to have leather rubbing against leather when you’re walking? Not comfortable, my friend. And you can’t judge it by a quick little jaunt around the store. So if you’re one of those freakishly-thin girls who’s thighs wouldn’t touch if you clamped her legs together, then go for it – you’ll look fabulous! Otherwise, you’ll still look fabulous as long as you don’t move. And what’s the fun in that?
You know what’s hot? Your new leather jacket with a pair of dark jeans, a white t-shirt, and high-healed black leather boots.
Leather can be very nice. Just as a material it is fabulous. What about the leather jacket you are wearing in the photo of you on your linkup profile? That seems to be pretty stylish.
Whatever you do, don’t get the leather vest that the sites suggests with the pants. For some reason that just screams, “lesbian!” Go figure.
Hey, if you’ve really got Jayne’s figure, go leather all the way baby (and don’t forget that classic white blouse)!
Yes, you should get the leather pants. I think leather pants (like those you linked to) look awesome. Leather pants are not uncomfortable either as long as you get the right size. I think most of the people that say they are uncomfortable probably have never tried any themselves. As for when you could wear them, well, actually quite often. Maybe going out for dinner or to the theatre or a party. For a woman, I really don’t think it’s something to feel too self-conscious about. If you did feel self-conscious, you might want to wear a sweater or nice shirt on top instead of another leather item (e.g., leather jacket.) I think most people that are really anti-leather are either extremely conservative prudes (and I’m quite conservative myself) or animal rights people, and they aren’t really all that great in number. Plus, there are quite a few people that really have no opinion one way or another. I have fairly conservative lifestyle values, but that doesn’t keep me from liking leather. I’d say go for it.
I disagree with Steve about leather pants not being stylish. Sure not a lot of people wear them, but that probably has more to do with people who are afraid to be different and that they are a bit more expensive than normal pants. (And considering the cost, they aren’t more expensive than, say, a new camera or a weekend trip somewhere.) Those Wilson pants look plenty classy. Leather rocks. If you like them, get them. Don’t worry what others think. You’ll get many more positive comments than negative comments. Leather pants are always stylish when worn by a person in decent shape—at least for women. Besides, clothes are clothes—not that important—so get what you like.
Did you ever buy the pants? I think leather pants and clothes can look very classic abd stylish and you shouldn’t feel self-conscious about wearing it if you like. I think the pants look wonderful–I’d even buy them for you and have it sent if you have a P.O. Box ;o)
A woman in leather pants are very stylish and extremely sexy.
Hello. I have been reading through your archives and I am curious to know if you bought the leather pants.