Yea it’s a black leather mini-skirt, and yes, it has been hand-worked into a look that keeps things looking on point as opposed to crossing a very fine fashion line into the cringe-worthy land of all things tacky.  Miracle? Not so much, and that’s saying something because I do tend to err on the side of melodrama when it comes to my writing. It’s just one more look to inspire you for a look that doesn’t involve work, won’t even fit into a daytime look, and is purely for the evening.

I realized that I need to beef-up this category on the site. For some reason, my bias has been towards daytime looks, so now, it’s time to head into the night, all inspired by Zara’s leather mini. See how to wear it:

1. Patterson J. Kincaid “Emilia” Cropped Tee- was $128.00, now $44.80 (www.bloomingdales.com) | 2. Leather Mini Skirt- $69.99 (www.zara.com) | 3. Gianna Meliani Platform Pumps- $195 (www.yoox.com) | 4. ASOS Pyramid Metal Tip Clutch- $31.03 (www.us.asos.com) | 5. Low Luv by Erin Wasson Wide Black Agate Cocktail Ring- $130 (www.endless.com)

The leather mini-skirt does plenty of talking on it’s own so the trick is to not overpower or play any other parts of the fashion equation up too high. This, mind you, is totally subjective, but I do firmly believe that less is more. If you’re piling on too high, you lose you. Well, so does anyone trying to make sense out of the look as well. Make it your own but don’t hide behind what you wear, allow it to do some of the speaking for you, but in the end, your voice reigns supreme.

Moving along…the easy cropped tee from Patterson J. Kincaid keeps things balanced out. You are showing major leg with this look, so, keep the focus there and have something fun, but not distracting, on top. The lace panels take this top from basic to more evening which is perfect for subtlety.

Elongate the leg even further with a platform pump, this one courtesy of Gianna Meliani. We all need something like this in our closet, depending upon the heel height you’re comfortable with. Still, a black pump will save you time and again, and in almost every situation outside of camping and cobblestones.

I had to add some kind of color here or I’d start to get frowny-face action (never very cute unless my face were an emoticon, and even then), so I brought the Asos pyramid clutch in a bright blue to the table. It isn’t the obvious choice, and when something like this is added to any look, I find it adds credibility to the person wearing it. It lets people know there was thought behind it, you went your own way (or were guided by some fashion-saavy stylists; either way, it doesn’t matter). Plus, it shows a little creativity and willingness to follow the path slightly less traveled, all in the name of pulling off a gorgeous evening look.

Speaking of that, polish this leather mini-inspired look with a bold cocktail ring from one of my favorites, Low Luv x Erin Wasson, and you’re beyond ready. You’re basically already there, in the thick of it. Drink, dance, laugh, and live!

See more of my favorites that have been edited down to the cream of the crop, plus, how to wear them here.