When leather dresses are mentioned, they often evoke images of biker fashion, edgy aesthetics, and sometimes, pop culture references like artists on wrecking balls, suggesting a bold and rebellious style. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t associate those dresses with words like red carpet or classy.
But there are actually a multitude of times when leather dresses looked elegant and tasteful. Here are celebrities who might lure you into trying one:
1. Emmy Rossum’s Understated Elegance
Emmy Rossum radiating elegance in a grey J. Mendel leather dress at Showtime’s premiere event in Beverly Hills, California, January 2015 (Credit: WENN)
The Shameless actress wore this simple, tea-length grey J. Mendel leather dress, which looked amazing. The dress was understated and didn’t at all give biker vibes. Coupled with the red lips and the classic Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, she looked spot-on.
2. Shailene Woodley: Edgy and Youthful
Shailene Woodley captures a youthful edge in her Balmain leather dress at the 23rd Annual MTV Movie Awards, Los Angeles, April 2014 (Credit: WENN)
One year earlier, one of the 23-year-old’s most memorable looks during Divergent’s promotional run was this Balmain leather dress ensemble. It was both edgy and youthful, a far cry from her other dowdy outfits.
3. Emma Stone in Lanvin: Leather Luxury
Emma Stone stuns in a Lanvin leather dress at ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ Paris premiere, April 2014 (Credit: WENN)
The 26-year-old might have shared this Lanvin leather dress look with Paloma Faith, but she wore it better.
4. Olivia Palermo: Fashion Maven in Leather
Olivia Palermo in a chic Whistles leather sweatshirt dress at the screening of ‘The Host’, New York, March 2013 (Credit: WENN)
We think the fashion maven could wear a sack and still look stylish. Her Whistles leather sweatshirt dress combines a mod silhouette and modern detailing. She accessorized with Aquazzura ‘Madison’ pumps, a Fendi bag, and a Cartier Love bracelet.
5. Cara Delevingne’s Bold Leather Statement
Cara Delevingne showcasing her unique style in a Mulberry leather dress at the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party, Beverly Hills, January 2015 (Credit: WENN)
Is it possible to bare some skin wearing a leather dress and not look trashy? With this model, it is. She wore this attractive Mulberry dress with black sandals and a Jennifer Fisher “Initial” necklace.
6. Blake Lively: A Mustard Leather Marvel
Blake Lively turning heads in a skin-tight mustard leather Gucci dress at Milan Fashion Week SS14, Italy, September 2013 (Credit: WENN)
The new mom seldom, if ever, gets it wrong in the fashion department. She donned this skin-tight mustard leather Gucci dress and stood out even among other fashion-savvy women.
7. Jennifer Lopez: Classy in Ermanno Scervino
Jennifer Lopez exuding elegance in an Ermanno Scervino leather dress at the 2014 TCA Winter Press Tour, Pasadena, California, January 2014 (Credit: WENN)
This Ermano Scervino dress could easily cross the line between classy and tacky. But the American Idol judge seemed to have solved the problem, choosing a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps and a black clutch to amp up the elegance meter.
8. Cher Lloyd: Embracing Red Leather
Cher Lloyd embraces boldness in a scarlet leather dress at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Inglewood, California, August 2014 (Credit: WENN)
Leather dresses can be daunting, especially in bold red. However, the singer embraced the color confidently. Her asymmetrical hairstyle and simple pumps complemented the outfit, creating an impressive look.
Would you wear leather dresses too? Here are some from Farfetch that will give these celebrities a run for their money:
1. Burberry Brit Leather Shirt Dress, $819.08
2. Prabal Gurung Colour Block Leather Dress, $3,818.36
3. Iris van Herpen Hybrid Cage Dress, $2,920.00
4. Gareth Pugh Bodycon Dress, $784.00