Styling Leather and Pleather – January’s Thrifty Six Collaboration

Welcome to the first Thrifty Six blogger collaboration of 2021! We are a group of international fashion and lifestyle influencers who collaborate each month to share our thrifty outfits. On the third Monday of every month, we all share an outfit based on a theme that features pre-loved wardrobe pieces. Shopping and reselling preloved clothing is so much better for the environment and you can find some of the best fashions in thrift or charity shops. The Thrifty Six are here to inspire you to shop second hand!

This Matt and Nat bag…is certified vegan, and the lining is made out of recycled plastic bottles!

For this month’s challenge we are styling leather and pleather (or faux leather and vegan leather). I stopped buying leather after going vegan three years ago and now only buy faux leather. I try to ensure my purchases are sustainable, as faux leather can be bad for the environment. There are some amazing brands that use recycled materials and no animal derivatives at all in their products. This Matt and Nat bag, which I bought on eBay, is certified vegan, and the lining is made out of recycled plastic bottles!

I have many pairs of ankle boots so probably didn’t need another pair…

My ankle boots are also preloved – I bought them from a charity shop just before Christmas but I don’t think they’d been worn…I guess they weren’t so loved after all! They are by Lotus – a company I have collaborated with in the past so I knew they were good quality. I have many pairs of ankle boots so probably didn’t need another pair, but these have a very practical heel height, so that sealed the deal.

Even though it isn’t preloved I decided to continue the faux leather theme with this shirt. I bought it from New Look in the Summer but this is the first time I’ve worn it. The material makes it slightly tricky to style as it doesn’t drape like softer fabric. The three quarter balloon sleeves are probably better suited to mild temperatures. I’m going to try layering it over a thin long sleeve top to make it more appropriate for winter. I could wear it as a “shacket” – a cross between a shirt and a jacket.

Leather or faux leather makes quite a statement so I didn’t want to add too much colour into the mix

To keep the colour palette simple I paired the faux leather shirt with these black and white check trousers. Leather or faux leather makes quite a statement so I didn’t want to add too much colour into the mix. Just a couple of deep red accents with the bag and cuff is enough to add interest. I chose some big pearl hoop earrings and my lovely akoya pearl necklace from Eternal Collection a few years ago (see that post here).

Keep scrolling to see how my blogger friends are styling leather and pleather!

SHOP THE LOOK

New Look shirt | River Island trousers | Lotus boots (from a charity shop) | Matt and Nat bag (from eBay) | Eternal Collection necklace (previously gifted) | earrings from TKMaxx | cuff bracelet from John Lewis | Olivia Burton watch

This is where I link up!

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Let’s see how the rest of the Thrifty Six gang are styling their leather and pleather…

Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade

“Roberto Cavalli my hero!…I’ve always been a devoted fan of Roberto Cavalli and I believe this awesome leather jacket is the absolute zenith of his creative achievements! It’s a true classic with just enough edge to satisfy the modern aesthetic.  It exudes urban relevance, it’s chic, streetwise and “kinda’ badass”. It’s all of this yet somehow it’s timeless…a vintage piece that could’ve been made yesterday or 50 years ago – truly inspirational, so glad I own it!“

Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style

“Only after I bought this antique blue super soft leather blazer I realised that I had to take it to the dry cleaners to wash before I wanted to wear it. And somehow I never wore it after it returned. Only to show this outfit years ago. Thrifted leather and shoes are not my thing, although this is such a gorgeous blazer! I really should get over it!“

Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge

“I found this brown leather jacket at Salvation Army a few years ago and it was too snug in the shoulders for a long time. After losing some weight, it now fits and I do love the edginess of it with its broken-in look. My faux leather cow print tote bag is a more recent thrifty find and this is the first time I have styled it. I kept the rest of my outfit simple with skinny jeans, a black turtleneck, and a really old pair of tall brown leather boots.”

Grace of Graceful Rags

“I originally envisioned an edgy outfit for this theme, but given my limited supply of thrifted leather goods, I had to take a very different, old fashioned approach. This green leather purse belonged to my grandma and was a gift for my 16th birthday, including matching shoes and gloves. The heels are much too high for my walking abilities, but the purse was the perfect addition to this gorgeous dress—and I love that it matches the railings! My sparkly bracelet is also thrifted through an antique shop on Etsy.”

Lucy of Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva

“You know you’ve scored big when you find a mint-condition- never been worn- Danier leather jumper this adorable! Found it at my local charity store and paid 9$ for it. WHAAAT? Yep- tags and all! The leather is as soft as butter and it most probably goes with any, and every top I own. Like we’ve said before- style is everything, but so is quality! Paired it with another little thrifted gem – I’m crazy about lime green (another animal print!). This top is sheer and also a huge trend for this year. Wondering if I’ll be getting a lot of wear from this little black dress? Let me tell you that I wear this one already too often- and almost all year round! Oh the styling possibilities!”

That’s all for this month, we’ll be back with another fun theme on the third Monday in February!