Just hearing about leopards might make you yawn. We’ve been down the path of the leopard many times, and who can blame you if you’re tired of being told you’re the “new neutral nation”?
So let’s try another tackle. What do you think? Leopard print is the new smartener. In fact, it’s the easiest smartening tool of the season. Coats, jackets, belts, kitten heels and more, add bold leopard print to your tried-and-true basics for an instant fall makeover.
To be honest, there are a lot of leopards out there: sheer blouses, floaty dresses, puffer jackets, etc., but I don’t go near any of them because they don’t pass the smart test. It’s only been a minute since Marks & Spencer’s flowing bias-cut leopard-print summer dress took off, but we’ve moved on – autumn is a whole different proposition – and now the only one seen Leopards are ladylike and sophisticated.
Leopard print is everywhere these days, seen on celebrities from Salma Hayek (left) to Winnie Harlow (right).
Think Catherine Deneuve and Jackie Onassis. It’s an old-school chic vibe with coiffed hair, sunglasses, tiny heels, and a neat handbag. This leopard moment is all about classic pieces that you can wear with clothes you already own. Here are the do’s and don’ts of wearing leopard in fall 2024.
How to wear a leopard
Definitely the best way to wear leopard is with any block color, beige or black, cream or denim, and with any neutral geometric print (florals may be too much). The best leopard coat for you is a simple Crombie style like Massimo Dutti (£369massimodutti.com). It’s not cheap, but it lasts forever.
Black near the face wears off over time, but black lifted at the collar of a leopard coat is completely different. Otherwise, the faux fur will always remain as long as it looks smooth. Try Zara (£79.99 Zara.com)
Leopard print can break up the harshness of black near your face, especially as you get older. This faux fur coat from ZARA is a good example
halfway rules
The leopard print trousers are definitely turning heads, with M&S reporting a lot of interest in their new Leopard Print Wide Leg Jeans (£45). Still, for many of us, it feels safer to overlook this and focus on the area above the waist.
Try layering ZARA’s lightly quilted round-neck jacket (£49.99) over a dark polo neck and trousers. Or a sweater: ZARA sells a stunning jacquard knit short-sleeve top with a jeweled neckline (£35.99) and a matching cardigan (£45.99). This can be worn separately or with a midi skirt and boots or black pants.
If you have leopard print pants, that’s fine, but keep in mind that the rest of the outfit should ideally be black and definitely a solid color. And skip the coat.
One of leopard’s main items is good rules of thumb.
Mango below-the-knee pencil skirt
skirts beat dresses
See half-baked rules. This way you can add a black, beige or cream top and the effect won’t be too strong. Leopard print midi slip skirts (£35 markandspencer.com) are still popular with slim and tall people. Or Mango’s below-the-knee plain pencil skirt (£35.99 shop.mango.com) paired with a plain gray sweater and tiny heels.
shade is important
ZARA leopard print bucket bag
This season’s prints are darker and richer, or have more black in the mix, for a more vintage feel. Avoid yellowish leopard tones and anything cartoony or abstract. The more authentic and shiny the better.
mix two leopards
Double up with two slightly different tones. Hailey Bieber, also known as Justin Bieber, was recently seen showing off her fall 2024 leopard print style by wearing a leopard print coat (possibly a totem) and a mismatched leopard print tote bag.
Zara sells leather leopard print shoppers (£189 zara.com) and stunning bucket bags (£89.99 zara.com). Choose big, bold styles with leopard and avoid anything cute and sleazy.
Accessories for a lifetime
Leopard print slingbacks can be worn with pants or midi skirts. Left: Sam Edelman shoes available from John Lewis, Right: Similar shoes from H&M
High leopard print ponyskin stiletto heels are still quite statement-making, while leopard print low kitten heels can be worn with pants or midi skirts and sweaters.
Mango slim leopard print belt
If you want to give your jeans a cocktail look at night, mid-heel slingbacks like Sam Edelman’s John Lewis (£175 johnlewis.com) or H&M’s slightly higher style (£27.99 hm.com) are perfect. Leopard print flats, especially ponyskin, are perfect for smartening up black trousers at the office – Ponyskin style from ZARA (£55.99).
Wear a slim leopard print belt (£25.99 shop.mango.com) with anything solid and double it with a leopard print bag.
