Leather: 50 shades of Maximum Impact, Minimum Effort

From top left-right: Rag and Bone, Marios Scwab, Derek Lam, J Mendel & Dior. 

images via here & style.com

I realise it's a little early (and waaay to hot) to be drooling over Resort 13's biggest trends, but I can't help but be a little excited that leather is going to be mah-jor, again! Yup, my little secret fashion affair with this luxe, edgy fabric is popping up all over the place, from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang, Phillip Lim Marios Schwab, Proenza Schouler, Versace to Barbara Bui.

Now loves, leather pieces are what I call 'investment', statement making wardrobe enhancing numbers, it'll never really go out of fashion. Whilst i've never been able to wear leather pants (- they just don't look good on me - I need a pair of legs like Rosie H-W & frankly the whole Ross incident in Friends kinda put me off), there are plenty of options, my fave being a leather dress - a great dress is a real game changer, y'know?
Let's take a peek at how celebrities have been working leather frocks over the years. 50 shades of hotness indeed.

See what I mean about maximum impact, minimum effort?

Jennifer Aniston in Celine & Gucci sandals (via zimbio.com) at the Horrible Bosses premiere, Victoria Beckham spotted most recently leaving LAX teamed with a gorgeous pair of fringed Maison Martin Margiela booties via here & Jessica Alba at Tribeca Film Festival 2010 via here

My fave fashion bunnies - La Kate attending Miu Miu SS10 accessorized with studded belt via here & Miss Palermo rocking her COS long sleeve leather number complete with Kurt Geiger Fashionistas mustard heels and Mawi sunray tube & boxchain necklace (2010) via here.

Angelina Jolie is at her bad-ass best in leather strapless Michael Kors number at the Inglourious Basterds Premiere via here & Jessica Alba in a stunning studded strapless Versace dress at Paris Fashion Week via here.

Another girl crush of mine is Kate Bosworth, shines in Chloe backless leather and linen mix dress at the Sundace Film Festival 2011 via here & minimalist in Calvin Klein earlier this May via here.

As you may have noticed, I can't help but go towards to the dark side, it's easy being hynotized by all-black. A black leather dress is always going to raise the bar and a surefire way to make an entrance - see a la Moss. What a smokin' vixen, no?

1. Thakoon leather mini dress on sale via NAP

2. MCQ by Alexander McQueen ring embellised leather & sueded dress via NAP 

3. Virginia Dress Topshop £69

4. Zalando.co.uk Urbancode leather fit & flare dress £230

From top left: 

Alexander MQueen Peplum pencil skirt via NAP

Alice Temperley Libre lace trim leather shorts on sale

Whistles laser cut pencil skirt - Love how they've styled this for a more casual approach.

Asos a-line mini skirt by Vila now £55

I love the clean lines of leather, the unfussy styles that have been cut to perfection. The trick to finding the perfect fit in a shift or shell style is somewhere between cut close to the body without it clinging like a body-con dress. I absolutely adore Celine's tan bond leather dress from SS10.

Looks like peplum, fit and flare shapes continue to be huge for resort 13, would you ever wear a leather dress, skirt or shorts? How would you accessorize or style it? Dark smokey eyes and nude lips or Bold red lippy? Sexy, delicate strappy heels, pointy pumps or chunky booties? The possibilities are endless...

Happy weekend to you lovelies!