Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Hemmed and Happy: Black Leather Pants!

The weather forecast called for a cool(er) day - since there might not be a better chance to wear these leather trousers before it gets too warm out, I had to seize the day and seize the scissors! 
Scissors? I'll get to that in a bit. This outfit also features another new-to-me item, this lovely silk blouse.


  • Blouse - as f as y, thrifted; purchased here for $6.95
  • Leather pants - Classique Entier, thrifted; purchased here for $34.99
  • Shoes - Effortless Bebe, Fluevog; last seen here in August 2018 with a lovely wrap dress
  • Coat (below) - Auckie Sanft, vintage 50s, vintage fair; first worn here in March 

I had actually put the blouse into the giveaway pile - yes, on purpose! Why? Because I was trying to build an outfit with it, and nothing was working. That usually tells me that I shouldn't have bought it.

But I am so glad I fished it out - it was lovely and soft and I like how it draped. It's definitely silk. I'll hang onto it for now.

But I know you are looking at the trousers. Yes, they are leather. I am a leather kind of gal. I know it's not to everyone's taste.
They were also amazing to wear all day. Leather is very comfortable.

It also makes one feel like a badass.
 Aw, yeah, feeling my mojo.

When I bought these trousers, they were very long; they hit the ground, even when I was in my highest heels. That won't do, so after a good look at the hems, I decided to hem them myself! No sewing was actually involved, and this took me about 10 minutes to do. I never recommend that you ever do what I do to your own clothes - I'm always willing to wreck an item! 

 First, I got all my equipment out: a ruler, my sharpest scissors, and a white eyeliner pencil.
"And a cat, you need a cat for this. Very important."

I had to move the eyeliner away from Mister Underfoot, there. He likes to play with pens/pencils. He also pawed at the scissors and tried to eat the excess leather that I cut off. Cats!

Since the pants' hems aren't sewn or glued anyway (it's not like leather is going to fray), and the lining stops about 3" from the original hems, I decided to just cut the pants to a better length. I knew I'd need at least an inch off, so I started by just going with the width of my ruler, using the white eyeliner as my chalk.
 I drew lines on the front and back of each leg, took a deep breath...and cut. I then tried them on...and they were perfect. Long but not too long - they will work with a short heel or a higher heel now. I carefully rubbed any excess white eyeliner off (it came off easily). 

To ensure the seams wouldn't come undone, I trimmed down the inside corners of the leather, and added a dab of Zap-a-Gap, which is basically crazy glue. We use it for all kinds of repairs - great stuff to have around the house.
It dried immediately, and voila! My pants are now the perfect length! I'm so happy!

Outerwear - it was quite chilly out this morning, so I went full-on badass with my gear.
 The Fuzzy Flamingo! She was lovely in the morning, but far too warm on the way home in the sun.


  • Wool fedora - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - vintage, thrifted; purchased here for $5.95 - first wearing
  • Leather gloves - vintage, thrifted


Feeling happy. Appreciating life.
 I added my little S pin to my coat (I've been doing this since I bought it) as it's too heavy to wear on a thin top.

The stuff:
 I've had these bright pink metallic shoes for nearly two years and I wear them a lot. That's a perfect heel for me. These are super-comfy.

Silver bling:
When you're wearing black leather, you have to be bold.

  • Steel cuff - thrifted
  • Cage cuff - local
  • Silver earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
  • Shield ring - Nine West
  • Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower

35 comments:

  1. Wow -- those pants are so flattering. What a find!

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  2. You did a good job on those trousers - I would never have the confidence to wear leather trousers though.

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca! You just have to suck it up and go for it!

      Delete
  3. I am glad you kept that top, it's perfect with the trousers! You did a great job hemming them yourself! I can't even sew buttons on, it's rather embarrassing! Any pants I've hemmed myself are just using the iron on hemming tape that melts the fabric together to keep the hems tucked up, haha!

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    1. Yes, I am glad I pulled it out of the giveaway pile - it's lovely silk and I think it will be a useful piece.
      What? I can at least sew a button and fix a seam or rip by hand. No iron-on with leather - it ruins it. But I've done that with other things!!

      Delete
  4. Great outfit! Glad you saved the top - maybe it will prove to be more versatile than you originally thought. Lise

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    1. Thanks, Lise! Yes, I hope so - I think it will be great with some of my solid bottoms.

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  5. Fantastic job on the leather trousers, they're an amazing fit and a perfect length. What a brilliant DIY!
    Good to see that glorious pink coat.
    My Mum's signature style was black leather trousers, a 1960s fake leopard coat and piles of brass jewellery. Rock chick cool! x

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    1. Thank you, Vix! I have been looking for the perfect black leather trousers for 12 years! I'm so happy that my hemming worked.

      I know, I love wearing the Fuzzy Flamingo, but woo, she was hot by afternoon.

      Aw, I love the sound of Mum's outfit! Wonderful! Must channel more of my inner badass.

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  6. Love it. Everything. Badass with a fantastic ass.
    Greetje

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  7. You're looking properly badass in this outfit, Sheila. What a great job you did on the trousers. I'm also pleased to hear that your blouse has found its partner! The Pink Flamingo and white fedora make it even better. We don't have Zap-a-Gap here, but what a great name! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! I'm really glad I saved the blouse now. I've been using Zap-a-Gap for decades - it's the best stuff.

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  8. Ooohh... love the pants and heels. Like you, I've attempted DIY tailoring and my results were better than I expected.

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    1. Good work! I'm actually glad at times like this that my mom forced me to do Brownies and Girl Guides. I picked up some good skills!

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  9. You know I like leather pieces as much as you, so I am digging this not-so-basic black outfit. I just wish I could find a pair of leather pants that fit me as nicely as those do you. Nice work on the hem.

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    1. Thank you! It's taken 12 years to find these - your pair is out there!

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  10. woww, love your badass attitude!, and love how you styled your leather pants with the pink coat and fab accessories! brilliant!
    beso

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    1. The full look with the coat is even more my favourite than the plain outfit! Thank you!

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  11. I love your willingness to maul your clothes - something I can learn from.

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    1. I've ruined a few things, but since most of my clothes are second-hand, I didn't pay much for them, so I don't feel too bad if one of my "alterations" doesn't work out.

      Thanks so much for visiting, Mim!

      Delete
  12. Oh yes, very badass and I love it! Leather and black always work for me!

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  13. Love the rock n roll pants as always! I would have done the same as you, cut away, and there, you did it all by yourself. X

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    1. Thanks, Jess - yup, I remind myself "it's just clothes!" and I go for it.

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    2. Yeah the blouse got a reprieve. I was heartbroken when it got chucked. Love the complementary splash of color with your lipstick and great pumps!

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    3. It did! I ended up really liking it. I just can't do head to toe black without SOME colour! Thanks, Chalotalo!

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  14. Great diy fixing Sheila! I would have done the same. Totally love the shot of you with coat open and hat on - so gangsta! xxx

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    1. I was so proud of myself! Thanks, I look like a gangsta!

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  15. My heart skipped a beat. You stopped traffic that day didn't you?!!!!! Oh those pants are all kinds of fab and the polka dot top with the pink flamingo coat... A real flamingo in leather.
    I would have never thought of hemming leather like this, what a great tip.

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    Replies
    1. Ha, ha, no, not quite! I felt all kinds of awesome in this outfit, though. Thanks so much!

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  16. Nice job on the hem. You can always use 2 sided tape as well until the length is perfect for the glue. Try leather glue as well, it has a bit more flex and wont dry as hard. Those pants fit you purrrrfectly and nice to see real leather, not faux..

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    1. Yes, but that's too much fuss for me. I like the raw edge. I loathe faux leather. I'd rather have real and know that it's vintage, biodegradable and will last way longer.

      Delete
    2. I have never worn anything faux leather but I can image that I would feel the same as you on that one...

      Delete

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