Brand new pleather versus second hand leather

The memo is out. High on the major retailer's trending list is pleather. Its on skirts, leggings, tops, dresses, shorts...everywhere! The usual suspects (aka Bomaphutha dichaba) Legit, Mr Price and the like, are shoving down our throats pleather porn. Its splashed across catalogues, sponsored blogs posts, magazine editorials, nationwide coordinated mannequins."Trend alert!" scream the headlines.

Pleather Porn.

Going against the trend

The word 'pleather' denotes the fact that its plastic, usually made with PVC. Some people may not have a problem with this but I prefer most -if not all things- in my life, to be real. Friendships. Juice. My nails. I would rather wear a 'no name' clothing item than wear a fake anything. The real in Real Empress is totally literal.

I'm also a fashion lover who is not necessarily trend conscious. Most of them are a bit silly in my opinion anyway. The track pants, nerd glasses, those over sized fake gold necklaces...I embrace only what I feel resonates with my style. Besides, I have a huge fear of wearing out an outfit that has too high a probability of looking like someone else's. In addition, I also just prefer the feel of real leather on my skin. My love for it is legendary.

Suede New York Jacket and leather shorts.

I've heard two major arguments against leather from people who have seen me in it. First that it isn't the easiest fabric to style and when compared to pleather, real leather is expensive.

To the former I say, when done right, leather can give one a really stylish look which would make it difficult not to get noticed. There's a baldness to it, I think. Gone are the days when it used to be reserved for biker babes. It has now become a fashion stable that one can embrace in various forms while adding their own personal touch to it. To the latter I say, it all depends on where you buy.

Leather meets lace: Black A-line skirt with lace detail at the bottom.

Second hand real leather

I've been in Gauteng for almost a decade now and my schooling, working, shopping and partying have taken me to most of its corners. Downtown Jozi remains one of my favourire because it's a bargain hunters dream. I have observed a location price bias in this metropolis. A dress will cost R450 at Hot Ice Sandton City. The very same dress (same fabric, same manufacturer, same errthang) at 7th Avenue downtown Jozi on Joubert street, will have a R150 price tag. True story!

It is also in this corner of the concrete jungle that I find plenty second hand, genuine leather spots. I have over the past couple of years amassed a bad ass leather collection which boasts exquisite, one of a kind pieces. Now, I know that some of my suburbia friends might look down, first at the idea of wearing second hand clothes and secondly at shopping in downtown Jozi. I mean, one may just randomly get mugged or killed. That place is full of animals after all! Hold on tight to your bag! Don't answer your phone! OMG!

Black and red leather mini skirts. The pic on the left was shot in 2012.

Seriously though, I would rather wear the real deal bought at a ridiculous bargain versus over prized pleather which wont even be here next winter. That it is from 'dingy' downtown Jozi is completely immaterial. I've seen the response I get from people when I incorporate leather in my look. It affirms to me that I've made some sound style investments.

Turquoise soft leather, high waist pants.

The pieces I'm wearing in this post have been bought from my various 'corners'. If you love and want, halla at me and we can talk. I can source for you, timeless, one of a kind pieces at prices that will make Truworths seem like a high end boutique at The Nelson Mandela Square. Best of all, they will still be there, in great condition, throughout winter and beyond.