Leather never loses its appeal — or its effortless cool. While the most common leather staples are blazers and jackets, a leather dress is an essential worth adding to your closet. Contrary to popular beliefs, leather dresses are wearable and easy to style — not to mention durable for the colder months. In need of a dress, but the wind is a bit nippy? Leather dresses. Are your cotton or linen ones wearing thin? Leather dresses will last you for years. Plus, it's a timeless piece that'll never go out of fashion. You could call it the dress that's immune to being outdated.
Also, while some silhouettes might feel a bit more daring thanks to their sleek and fitted appearance, they can be styled up or down. For instance, you can jazz it up with accessories like a belt and a matching leather handbag for a chic 'fit, or pair low-heel booties with a mini dress instead of platform heels for a more daytime look. We've uncovered a plethora of pieces in various colors, cuts, and designs in both real and faux vegan leather. So tap into your inner rock-chic vibe with one of the mini, midi, or long-sleeve options ahead. Get ready to look and feel your best in a new leather dress.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Meet mini leather dresses, LBD's edgy sister. They're ready to spice up any strapless, fitted, tiered piece with a slick back look.
Bridal By Eloquii Draped Faux Leather Dress, $, available at Eloquii
The Somerset Collection by Anthropologie The Somerset Mini Dress: Faux Leather Edition, $, available at Anthropologie
Urban Outfitters Fast Lane Faux Leather Moto Mini Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters
French Connection Etta Vegan Leather Dress, $, available at Bloomingdale's
Mango Leather Effect Cross Back Dress, $, available at Mango
Ganni Belted leather mini shirt dress, $, available at The Outnet
Midi Leather Dresses
Midi dresses can easily feel overwhelming. A leather version does the opposite by hugging your body, emphasizing your curves, and elongating your legs.
REMI x REVOLVE Gwen Faux Leather Dress, $, available at Revolve
Staud Faux Leather Fit & Flare Dress, $, available at Nordstrom
Good American Faux Leather Vacay Dress, $, available at Good American
Karen Millen Leather Military Belted Pencil Dress, $, available at KAREN MILLEN
Ashley Stewart Tiered Faux Leather Midi Dress, $, available at Ashley Stewart
Modern Citizen Jini Vegan Leather Belted Midi Dress, $, available at Modern Citizen
Long-Sleeve Leather Dresses
Cold weather calls for long-sleeve dresses. Whether you pair tights with your mini or ankle boots with your midi, you'll stay warm while staying cool.
ASOS DESIGN Long Sleeve Pu Cut Out Mini Dress In Khaki, $, available at ASOS
Jonathan Simkhai Mara Draped Vegan Leather Midi Dress, $, available at Intermix
Nanushka Halli Belted Vegan Leather Mini Shirt Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Gabrielle Union Collection Islande Faux-Leather Tie-Front Dress, $, available at New York & Company
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
While we obsess over Madewell for its plethora of affordable styles — these days, it’s a crucial destination for seasonal dresses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories — the one category that the retailer has had a consistent chokehold on is denim. Those in the know may be familiar with Madewell’s collection of “Perfect Vintage” jeans, a mostly rigid denim line made to fit like an American classic but at not-so-steep vintage-seller prices. Cut in a variety of washes, silhouettes, lengths, and sizes, it’s no shocker that these jeans remain a best-seller for the brand. (Full disclosure: I, too, am a true believer of these jeans, as a person who swears by vintage denim.)
But, did you also know that Madewell, in addition to its Perfect Vintage wares, regularly releases fresh batches of denim every season? Well, now you do: Some styles are standbys, some are brand-new, and some are updated iterations of the tried-and-true blues. And for spring 2023, Madewell has dropped a whole lot of denim newness, poised to become new go-to staples for the upcoming year.
“For the new collection, we were inspired by the style trends of the ’90s,” says Mary Pierson, SVP of Denim Design at Madewell, in an email to R29. “Specifically, we love the distorted fits, interesting denim details, and fun denim dressing from that decade.” Case in point: Madewell has gone all-in on what the brand calls its “boyjeans” — denim featuring a relaxed waist, roomy leg, and a low rise. There are variations for shoppers who seek a more fitted style as well, like wide-leg or flared jeans that have a bell-shaped bottom hem but with a more rigid, contour fit at the thigh.
Denim, of course, is not a one-type-fits-all deal — and Madewell knows this. The shoppers have spoken, and they are particular. For example, some shoppers only wear rigid denim (like yours truly). Some exclusively wear jeans with stretch. Petite folks are limited to shorter inseams whereas tall shoppers need rises that actually come up high on their torsos. Whatever denim preferences a shopper has, Madewell aims to offer a pair that suits them as perfectly as possible. One way Madewell achieves this is with The Denim Bar, which breaks down and categorizes all of its jeans so shoppers can easily click and filter exactly what they’re looking for.
Pierson says this release focuses on a wide array of denim textures in addition to newer cuts and silhouettes. Shoppers can expect heavier and lighter-weight constructions, as well as a range of stretch.
For spring 2023, the brand has also introduced non-pant denim pieces, like a varsity-style jacket and a dress, both of which embody that easy-going, ’90s-era spirit. Pierson says the Denim Bomber Jacket and the Oversized Denim Shirtdress are two of the brand’s more “unexpected styles” that still keep the aesthetic true to Madewell. “We’re excited about the variety in proportion play within this collection,” says Pierson, nodding to the cocoon-like shape of the bomber and the straightforward boxiness of the dress.
Since Pierson is not only a denim expert but also someone who has helped develop this current spring drop, I had to ask her what pair of jeans she personally swears by. Unsurprisingly, she says that her “all-time favorite is the straight-leg jean; it’s just a timeless silhouette. I especially love our Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean!” (As I’d mentioned earlier, it’s a real fan favorite and a cult classic for Madewell.)
There’s a newer style that Pierson predicts may rise to the top of the denim pile for the upcoming season — and this time it’s all about the legroom: wider, more relaxed, and extremely slouchy. Are denim shoppers ready to head into the fashion wayback machine? Madewell is certainly predicting they do so.
“My favorite jean from this current collection is the Superwide-Leg,” says Pierson. “I love the volume, length, and rigid denim fabric. It’s a newer fit and leg shape for us.” While the Superwide-Leg styles have an unescapable skater boyfriend vibe, Madewell has figured out a way to keep these jeans, like the rest of the denim lineup: super versatile and styled for any occasion. Paired with a crop top or a body suit, and with a heeled shoe, these baggy jeans can make an evening look so very chill. Or, of course, the jeans can be worn with an equally baggy top or jacket and clogs for a rolled-out-of-bed moment. Madewell’s latest denim collection may be a nod to the ’90s but, to be sure, they’re made for these modern times.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Modern dating can feel like one endless tragicomedy: the swiping, the awkward first dates, and all the ghosting included. It’s no surprise that our generation has often turned to romantic-comedies for escape, from the ordinary-teen-turned-royalty storyline of Princess Diaries to the wishful thinking-turned-IRL boyfriend in 13 Going On 30. But alas, it’s just movies.
Still, like so many other of our retro film obsessions, people are looking for ways to dress the part. If love is not the end game then at least let us have the style of a 2000s rom-com: slip dresses, multiple shades of pink in one outfit, cropped cardigans, and yes, peep-toe shoes.
At least, that’s the memo coming from TikTok, where searches for “rom-comcore” — as creators have dubbed it — have grown over 2 billion views, with people reenacting outfits from movies like 10 Things I Hate About You and 13 Going On 30 that channel the hyper-femininity of that era. What’s more is that Pinterest has already spotted the trend as one of the top predictions for the year, with searches for “2000s girl” rising by 235% and “pink mini skirt outfit” by 145%.
Sure, social media is going crazy over this trend now, but its resurgence has been brewing for a while now. For example, back in 2021, Ariana Grande coached The Voice’s first live show wearing a version of Jennifer Garner’s iconic Versace mini dress from the “Thriller” dance routine scene in 13 Going On 30. “It was a dress that worked for the scene, for the character, and that’s why we picked it and that’s why she wore it,” the film’s costume designer Susie De Santo told The New York Times in 2021. Since then, multiple iterations of the dress have popped up online by retailers like Cider and Walmart.
Then, there is the overall reemergence of Y2K trends that have been repackaged as TikTok aesthetics, from “soft girl,” which is characterized by cozy knits and subtle makeup, to “light academia,” which borrows much of the early ‘00s preppy styles. But rom-comcore takes it a step further, with people literally finding ways to dress up as their favorite rom-com heroines to exude main character energy. Repeat after us: Mia Thermopolis is our muse!
If you don’t know how to start, take a look at some of the options below.
Slip Dress
A basic slip dress is a common denominator in any 2000s rom-com. Although if you want to truly look the part, we recommend going strapless.
Peep Toe Shoes
Believe it or not, peep toe shoes are still going strong 20 years later. The best way to update them for 2023 is to go for a platform version or some edgy booties.
Top It With A Cardigan
Much like a slip dress, a cardigan is a staple of 2000s rom-com movies, from Legally Blonde to 13 Going On 30. For 2023, it’s crucial that you go with a cropped version or a pin top.
Try The Going-Out Top
Nothing says Y2K like a going out top. Whether it’s a halter number or an asymmetric strapless top, one of the best ways to exude main character energy is to rely on the retro look of this classic staple.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
