When would you wear a short sleeved leather dress like this?

[househuntingdilemma]

https://www.whistles.com/row/product/rosamund-a-line-leather-dress-39384.html

I like this dress, tried it on in store and it fits really well. But I'm not sure when I'd wear it. It's not a summer dress, or a winter one either (with the short sleeves).

Any thoughts welcome!

No, mostly because I hate short sleeves, and think they look inelegant generally. I don’t think they look good with a dress like this that has quite a heavy blocky look.

One of my fashion bugbears is clothing that is completely impractical re: temperature. Short sleeved jumpers are a good example. I think this falls within the same category. Why oh why are they making clothes out of materials which keep you warm, but are cut in such a way that you can’t wear them when it’s cold?

It’s a stylish dress OP, but I wouldn’t buy it because like you I find it hard to see when/where it could be worn.

If you sit down in it, the leather will stretch and you will end up with a saggy bum area, making you look like a sack of potatoes.

Dinner in a fancy restaurant? We had dinner at Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant and there was a woman in something very similar (and mega high heels) in February

No. I don't like leather clothes.

I don’t agree, the uk has lots of mild weather when a heavy material but short sleeve option is fine.
The dress wouldn’t be for me, I don’t think it really even suits the model but the sleeves and material aren’t the issue for me.

Cocktail party or expensive drinks out? I’ve never worn a leather dress though so struggling to think of what it feels like! If it’s comfortable, a fancy meal out would work too.

I would. But I’d wear it autumn/winter/spring with a silk shirt or a roll neck and boots or trainers.

Never! Too expensive, too impractical and I doubt I’d even look that good in it.

It is a very odd shape! The disadvantage of it fitting well is that you couldn’t fit anything under it in cold weather. And it may be a bit close fitting for warm weather. It’s office shaped - but if you wore it regularly it would always be at the dry cleaners. It’s too prim for socialising in (surely?), neither pub nor cocktail bar. Doesn’t really invite accessorising …

(I also dislike almost all short sleeves!)

I’d much rather have a leather skirt.

I wore something similar to Bongos Bingo not so long back, and considering wearing it to a Hen Party this weekend also, which will mainly be bars and cocktail making along with a brunch and god knows what else

Tights if its cold (shouldn't be) and either black shoe boots or maybe red heels

I had a leather skirt back in the olden days and the leather didn’t stretch. I certainly wouldn’t expect leather from a company like whistles to stretch.

Thanks for all the comments! This style wouldn't normally be a pick for me, but I am tempted because it was so flattering around the tummy in particular. Will give it a swerve I think.

Rick Stein isn’t very fancy. Over priced good cooking but not fancy. As for the dress, yes for a night out. Winter - long sleeve top under.

I had a Jigsaw pencil skirt leather and it didn’t stretch either but the slit at the back opened up which was irritating.

Dinner when I go on a hotel weekend away (my DH would think he’s died and gone to heaven).

I like a short sleeved jumper. I wear them with a nice Breton underneath. I also have loved my two tank tops this year- lots of nice blouses underneath- warm & can still see the nice sleeves.

I have a sleeveless leather dress. I tend to wear it to parties in winter. It hasn't got a saggy bum.

Probably as I was storming Mordor.

It’s a weird shape and style. I think if it was much shorter I’d wear it to a bar/gig/party with ankle boots. But the shape and length make it a basic work dress style for me if it wasn’t leather.

But I'm not sure when I'd wear it

For a shift at an S&M club that's putting on dinner lady themed night.

It’s a lot of money for something that’s essentially cobbled together out of offcuts.