Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Leather-Shorts Leader and More Double Denim

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In today’s Wall Street Journal, the delightful Rachel Dodes reports that leather shorts are hot, but not in the “too hot to wear in the summer” way. They’re hot as in “selling like hotcakes.” Rachel (with whom I’m acquainted) writes, “The new look made its runway debut last season in the shows of Chloe and Emilio Pucci and then turned up in dozens of collections for spring 2010. Now, a barrage of leather shorts are hitting stores.”

Cream-colored leather shorts by Chloe are $2,015 at Net-a-Porter.

Rachel points out that most women who want to sport the look are going to have to hit the stores too. The average gal can’t shop her closet for leather shorts.

From Zara's lookbook: leather shorts for $99.99.

Of course, gorgeous blogger Queen Michelle from Kingdom of Style is not your average gal. She’s a leader in Lederhosen who declares, “Leather isn’t a trend — it’s a way of life!”

Queen Michelle in vintage leather shorts in April 2009.

Michelle tells me, “My first-ever pair of leather shorts came from a vintage shop when I was 18 in 1991. They were pretty tight and I wore them with black tights and biker boots.” Unfortunately, she has no photographs from her “goth Daisy Duke” phase, but she’s blogged plenty of pictures of a more recently-acquired pair of vintage leather shorts.

Queen Michelle in vintage leather shorts in March 2010.

“Mind you,” Michelle says of her shorts, “I think I wear them all the ways they say not to in the article. I would never wear mine with flats, always heels!” Of course, Michelle is not the “ordinary consumer” Rachel describes in her story — the non-fashion gal who is increasingly encouraged by style blogs to try “outre trends.”

Shorts and over-the-knee boots on Queen Michelle.

For those with concerns about leather shorts and hot weather, Michelle says she lives in Scotland, where it’s never too warm. For other locales, she points out that most shorts are lined so they shouldn’t stick to you even when the temperature starts to climb.A  The Wall Street Journal article says that designers including Phoebe Philo at Celine are working with lightweight leather.

No leather here, but proof of style leadership: Wendy Brandes swear rings!

Michelle is keeping an eye on eBay for the Topshop Unique leather shorts she posted about in February.

Leather shorts by Topshop Unique.

At the time, she described them as “maaaasive leather granny pants,” and wondered, “Am I, or the world for that matter, ready to see me in huge, leather granny pants? I’m guessing the answer is a resounding no.” I love that she shrugged that thought off, as I expected she would.

If you’re looking for leather shorts of your own, Rachel’s Wall Street Journal article lists quite a few options. Whatever you do, don’t outbid Michelle for those Topshop granny pants on eBay.

In other trend news, double denim is still going strong in the blogosphere. My Edit opted for a light denim jacket with dark denim shorts.

My Edit's double-denim look.

Jennine of The Coveted should get a prize for getting my denim jumpsuit idea, clog enthusiasm and “Never is the next new thing™” adage into a single highlarious post.

Jennine went for it.

If you’re a blogger who has done double denim but hasn’t made it into one of my double-denim posts, let me know so I can add you to the next one. Oh yes, there will be a next one.

UPDATED TO ADD: Check out the story Ray Smith did on double denim for the Wall Street Journal earlier this year. Thanks for pointing it out, Rachel!

UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD: I previously linked to What I Would Have Worn’s double-denim look but I really should have posted a photo because she’s wearing clogs too. Here you go!

What I Would Have Worn in two hot trends at once.

UPDATED YET AGAIN TO ADD THIS POSTER:

Via the Likkle Girl.

CAN’T RESIST ANOTHER UPDATE: How did I forget my own post with the photos of Yoko Ono in what appear to be leather shorts? Hawt.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. oh man! i sold my leather shorts! what a bummer. but i must admit, i didn’t look as good as queen michelle does in them!

    and btw…that was fast! and i have to say that saying ‘never is the next new thing…’ awesome.

  2. I think the list of women who can make leather shorts work might begin and end with her. But denim jumpsuits are a total buy in my book.

    Yes. In my book.

  3. I feel like I have to do the double denim just to get a photo on your blog! The pressure…

    And my kid just leaned over my shoulder – on seeing your blog photo she said: Isn’t that Wendy the jewelry lady?

    It’s scary when your child recognizes your blog friends by their photos at a quick glance.

    • Uh-oh, Andrea. You said the magic word “never.” That guarantees you’ll be getting a pair. Send me pictures when you do. Did you see the WSJ story? Lots of styles, colors, shapes. I bet there’s one that’s right for you.

  6. Oh yeah… leather shorts. I used to have a pair, but they weren’t good quality — got them in the 80’s and probably spent $49.99!! Queen Michelle’s shorts are amazing. And her over-the-knee boots…. LOVE!

  7. Okay I’m not saying “never” but I will say I just don’t like shorts now. I did 20 years ago in my later wacky r ‘n r days but not since. However, Michelle can pull off anything with those amazing legs! Jenine looks great too! (NEVER will I wear clogs, no matter how cute. You can bank on that, too many other shoes I’d rather have and I’m far too stubborn when I say never!) Oh and I did leather and double denim back in those days too and have the pictures (somewhere) to prove it (after *certain* people have been cut/ photoshopped out of the pictures so I don’t get sued!) d:
    XXX
    Suzanne

  8. So, I feel like a big deal now. Thanks for the shout out! And I just bought two pairs of leather shorts to sell (if I ever get around to it)… I would like them for myself but they won’t go past my knees.

  9. I am not chic enough for today’s post. All I can think is that leather shorts would feel like sitting on leather seats in a car in July in the deep South. Yeah…definitely not chic enough for today’s post.

  12. HAHA- My captcha is too thin but it’s as one word, toothin and I was like… is that slang?? Like, that girl is toothin’ it!

    anyway I was GOING to say…
    That Queen Michelle can do no wrong!! So hot.

  13. Wendy definitely get a pair!! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a photo of you in shorts. I think it’s a stunning look but on me?…i think i’ll have to wait and see 🙂

  14. I think I’ll have to pass on leather shorts. I have way too much hips and thighs for them. I may scare away the neighbour’s children if I put on a pair!!

  15. OK, I think you read my mind. I’ve been on the hunt for a reasonably priced pair of black or brown leather shorts but haven’t found any within my budget. I’ll have to check out the WSJ article.

    And Jennine looks fabulous!

    xo, becs

  17. OK – I will not be wearing massive leather granny pants, or suspenders any time soon but I may break out the double denim. I always chop my head off in photos for my blog – is that allowed?

  18. love michelle, her style kicks ass. love jennine’s jumpsuit…. so great. and i adore that you are posting everyones double denim looks. the question is: when do we get to see yours?

    xxx
    t

  22. I have to say that leather shorts confuse me. They feel like an oxymoron, kind of like a woolen bikini or a silk rain coat. I am not against having clothes confuse me. I actually admire a garment who can raise philosophical paradox.

  27. I’m surprised I made it to the end of this post considering that I was absolutely mesmerized by how amazing Queen Michelle looks in her leather shorts. Holy crap! (and I mean that in a good way)

  29. the leather shorts look great on Michelle,total cutie.
    The double denim flyer at the bottom? GENIUS!!!
    hahhahaha
    big kiss
    xoxo
    marian.

  30. Hey girl!

    I see you’ve beaten me to the leather shorts punch! 🙂 Great post — far juicer than mine (though my anonymous hater may have to disagree, haha).

    Though I do love the style of Queen Michelle, you shalt be seeing those “hot shorts” in my court anytime soon. I bake bread y nada mas. 🙂

    <3

  33. Leather shorts sure look cool, but I’m just wondering if they’re real comfortable in summer… Isn’t it hot in leather? :S being from Russia I must say a lot of times it’s incredibly hard to pull of some trends – you just don’t have the right weather. It’s like one day it’s still too cold to wear something, then the next day it’s already too hot lol

  34. I think it is safe to say that Double Denim has become an overnight trend! And between you and sister wolf I want me some leather shorts! I will be hunting ebay for them as well.

  35. My, what keen eyes you have! Now I [sort of] regret passing up a pair of green suede shorts for $10 at a thrift store.

  40. I’m not anti-leather shorts, in fact I loved the ones at Chloe, but I can’t say I would wear them. Though I’d love to see them on others.

    As for double denim, the runways were full of so many variations. My favorite would be to go for a dark bottom and light top (which I did a few days ago, and it worked surprisingly well).

  42. Great post, how is it you can write so much, so often, and so well? I’m jealous!

    Ha, ha I just mentioned double denim too. Although those H&M jeans are wrong in so many ways.

    Sorry I missed you at drinks!

  43. Indeed…leather is a way of life… Queen Michelle wears them well…I like mine very loose so that my legs can breathe… I’m sticking to my one pair of vintage mens lederhosen!

  44. I grew up in Italy, so I scoff in the face of the fear of double-denim. I’m not saying it’s one of my best habits, but it can be fun, as long as the pieces are of different colours and styles.

    And the leather shorts are soooo so so so so hot, but I don’t think I could pull them off. Shall have to leave them to Queen Michelle and just stock up on leather skirts.

  45. Wow, this post is just an explosion of awesomeness: Love the leather shorts and the words of wisdom from Queeny M and the double denim bonanza. Bravo, Wendy B! I’ve gotta start working on my double denim look…

  46. I haven’t done double denim, but I have done leather shorts ! Can’t believe I haven’t visited your blog before, it is really great!

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