Are you thinking about purchasing a leather dress? Well, you aren’t alone. In recent years, leather skirts have become a hot fashion trend. They are stylish, comfortable and incredibly durable — a combination of characteristics you won’t find in conventional dresses made of other materials. To take advantage of these benefits, though, you need to choose the right leather dress. Below are 10 important things to consider when choosing a leather jacket.
#1) Length
Leather dresses are available in a variety of lengths. Generally speaking, the length of a leather dress can be classified in one of three ways: mini, midi or maxi. Mini leather dresses are the shortest; midi leather dresses are somewhere in the middle; and maxi leather dresses are the longest.
#2) Color
Not surprisingly, leather dresses are available in a variety of colors as well. You can find them in traditional colors like black and brown as well as more modern colors like tangerine, lavender and olive. There’s no wrong color for a leather dress. Rather, you should choose a color that corresponds with your personal style as well as the garments and accessories with which you plant to wear it.
#3) Type of Leather
Don’t assume that all leather dresses are made of the same type of leather. By definition, leather is simply animal hide that’s been tanned and processed into a textile material. Some types of leather, however, are better than others. Nappa leather, for example, is regarded as having a superior quality to over types of leather. It’s incredibly soft though still strong and durable.
You can expect to pay more for a dress made of Nappa leather than other, lower-quality types of leather, but most people will agree that it’s worth the investment. If your dress is made of Nappa leather — or a similar type of high-quality leather — it will offer countless years of use and enjoyment while showing little or no signs of wear.
#4) Sleeves
Something else to consider when shopping for a leather dress is whether you want sleeves. If you intend to wear it during the summer — and you live in a hot region — you may want to choose a sleeveless leather dress. But if you intend to wear it during the fall or winter months, a sleeved leather dress will offer a higher level of warmth and comfort.
#5) Form
What type of form does the leather dress offer? When shopping for a leather dress, you’ll probably notice that some have a loose form, whereas others have a tighter form that contours to the shape of your body. A loose form means the leather dress has lots of excessive, baggy material. In comparison, a tight form means the leather dress hugs your body closely when worn. Choose a leather dress in a form that matches your personal style and complements your body.
#6) Pockets
It’s a common problem encountered by women who wear dresses on a regular basis: no pockets. If your leather dress doesn’t have pockets, you’ll have to rely on an accessory like a handbag to carry around small items. The good news is that many leather dresses are now made with pockets, eliminating this problem. The highly stylish and sleek Bonfire Leather Dress sold here at LeatherCult, for example, features two front pockets. You can use these pockets to store small items, or you can use them to keep your hands warm during the winter.
#7) Embellishments
What type of establishments, if any, does the leather dress feature? The most basic styles of leather dresses generally don’t have any embellishments. Rather, they consist of a form-fitting dress in a single color. But there are plenty of other styles that do have embellishments. For example, a leather dress may have a ruffled bottom, or it may have bows around the midsection. Embellishments such as these introduce new visual elements into the dress that make it stand out from other, more traditional dress styles.
#8) Buttons
You may discover some leather dresses have buttons on them. It’s not uncommon for leather dresses to have a single vertical column of buttons on the front, which you can use to put on and take off the dress. Other leather dresses have buttons for decorative purposes.
If you choose a leather dress with buttons, make sure the buttons are made of high-quality materials and not just cheap plastic. While inexpensive, plastic buttons are highly susceptible to damage. Even regular use could break or damage the buttons, in which case you’ll have to repair your leather dress.
#9) Size
It should go without saying that you need to consider the size of a leather dress and whether it fits your body. No two women have the same body, so you can’t always rely on basic sizes like small, medium or large. Instead, purchase a custom-sized leather dress that’s made using your own body measurements.
Here at LeatherCult, we offer custom sizing on all leather jackets, leather pants and leather dresses at no additional charge. When you place an order, you’ll have the opportunity to provide us with your body measurements. Upon receiving these measurements, we’ll use them to create a custom-sized leather dress that fits just right. It’s a far easier and more effective way to get the perfectly fitted leather dress.
#10) Thickness
Finally, consider the thickness of a leather dress. If you choose a leather dress that’s too thick, you may get hot while wearing it. If it’s too thin, on the other hand, it may lack the protective insulation needed to keep you warm and comfortable during the winter months. Therefore, you should choose a leather dress that’s not too thin but too thick for the season or seasons in which you intend to wear it.
By taking these 10 things into consideration, you’ll have an easier time choosing the perfect leather dress. Just remember to avoid low-quality leather dresses — as well as faux leather dresses — and instead choose a high-quality dress made by a reputable brand.