When you hear leather dresses mentioned, what usually comes to mind? Biker fashion? Whips and chains? Pop artists on wrecking balls? 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 just lure you into trying one:
1. Emmy Rossum
Emmy Rossum at The Showtime premiere event for ‘Shameless’, ‘House of Lies’ and ‘Episodes’ at Cecconi’s on January 5, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California on February 27, 2015
The actress recently wore this simple, tea-length grey J. Mendel leather dress and she 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
Shailene Woodley at The 23rd Annual MTV Movie Awards at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California on April 13, 2014
Last year, one of the 23-year-old’s most memorable looks during Divergent’s promotional run is this Balmain leather dress ensemble. It was both edgy and youthful, a far cry from her other dowdy outfits.
3. Emma Stone (Full Story)
Emma Stone at the Paris premiere of ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ in France on April 11, 2014
The 26-year-old might have shared this Lanvin leather dress look with Paloma Faith but she clearly wore it better.
4. Olivia Palermo
Olivia Palermo at The Cinema Society and Jaeger-LeCoultre screening of ‘Open Road Films’ ‘The Host’ at Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York on March 27, 2013
We think the fashion maven could wear a sack and still look stylish. Her Whistles Leather Sweatshirt Dress is a mixture of mod silhouette and modern detailing. She accessorized with a pair of Aquazzura ‘Madison’ Pumps, Fendi bag and Cartier Love Bracelet.
5. Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne and other celebrities attend the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 11, 2015
Is it possible to bare some skin wearing a leather dress and not look trashy? With this model, it is. She wore this interesting Mulberry dress with a pair of black sandals and a Jennifer Fisher “Initial” necklace.
6. Blake Lively
Blake Lively at Milan Fashion Week SS14 – Gucci in Italy on September 18, 2013
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 amidst other fashion-savvy women.
7. Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez at the 2014 TCA Winter Press Tour FOX All-Star Party at The Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa in Pasadena, California on January 13, 2014
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
Cher Lloyd at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, California on August 24, 2014
Leather dresses are already intimidating enough without them sporting the scarlet hue. But to the singer, red is something to embrace. She pulled it off. The hair on one side hair styling plus the basic pair of pumps made this look great in our opinion.
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, $3818.36
3. Iris Van Herpen Hybrid Cage Dress, $2920.00
4. Gareth Pugh Bodycon Dress, $784.00
Credit: Brian Dowling/WENN/FayesVision/Adriana M. Barraza/ Andres Otero/C.Smith/Brian To/Bridow/Apega