Fashion: Stars go hell for leather

Even the most open-minded of fashion followers were wondering quite how they were going to pull off one particular trend that emerged on the catwalks this autumn. Leather trousers have, until now, been the preserve of cheesy rock stars and yummy-mummy types clinging to their youth, but just a month or two into the season, and celebrities of all ages have been pouring themselves into the skinny styles seen at Givenchy and Marc Jacobs.

Whilst Agyness et al work the gothic rock-chick look by pairing theirs with spiky heels and oversized, ultra-casual tops, Charlize Theron set the tone for the over-thirties with a sharp metallic tuxedo jacket and a serious statement necklace. The key in both cases seems to rest in keeping things resolutely modern – beware the example of Jemima Khan, whose conventional, glossy tresses sent her leather trews straight into Sloane territory when she was spotted in Paris recently.

Just when you think a trend couldn't get trickier, along comes a frightening new variation. All hail leather leggings. Or "pleather" leggings, to be more precise, since these high-shine garments are actually synthetic. As if leather trousers weren't tight enough already and leggings weren't sufficiently unflattering per se, this hybrid garment promises to make sausage meat of the leanest pins.

That hasn't put off US starlets such as Katie Holmes and Lindsay Lohan, though. While Tom's better half teamed hers with a rather incongruous ballet-flats and cardigan combo, the latter (opting for towering heels and a grungy T-shirt) embodied everything you need to be to pull off this look: young, thin and totally shameless.