Testing Out the Leathers

I took these pics over the weekend while playing dress-up with a new skirt.

While I personally like the black leather-embellished pieces that are so en vogue this fall, I don't think I have the swagger to pull them off. So when Anthropologie put this cute faux leather skirt on their site, I took my first dip into leather embellishments during their last promo sale (ordered online since it is apparently an online-only piece).

It's brown-toned, so to me it's softer than black. And it's got a full skirt silhouette which eases it off the edge factor another bit. And a glittery waist? Full-on girly but not. Perfect for me to try.

So ... I don't know.

I think I may like the idea of the skirt better than the skirt itself.

 

First, it arrived really wrinkly and I'm not sure how to get wrinkles out of faux leather. I mean, do I lay it out flat in the sun somewhere? And then does it mean that the material is prone to wrinkling? 

Also, it's a leather piece for us softies, but still a leather piece. So cute as it may seem, I don't know if I'd actually wear it. Plus I kind of can't kick the whole I'm-wearing-a-vinyl-tablecloth feeling.

So ... I've since exchanged this skirt for one a size smaller since the waistband is extra stretchy and I felt like my regular size wouldn't hold the fabric of the skirt in place well. I'm going to give this skirt another go - I think it'd pair well with a denim shirt and the fabric is definitely substantial enough for cooler weather.

But I'm kind of still on-the-fence about this piece. Even with the promo sale, it's not a cheap piece. So this is another piece I'd like your advice on - what would you pair with this skirt? And what do you think about the whole leather embellished trend for fall?

Top: J.Crew factory merino charley (worn here - cotton version, sim)
Skirt: Champagne & Strawberry via Anthropologie colorblocked mara (sim in B&W)
Necklace: Pam Hiran via Anthropologie sparked agate collar (worn here - sim, sim, sim in pearl)
Bracelets: J.Crew factory (sim, sim, cuff, darker), J.Crew & Asos (set)
Shoes: Jessica Simpson jaide (worn here - sim, slingback)