Leopard print has been considered the animal print for “hussies” way back when, then it got chic, then it got tacky (thanks to the 80’s) & now it’s back and better than ever… and flooding my instagram feed. Everywhere I look I see leopard & I am not mad about it cause I am INTO a leopard print.
It is the fashion girl print of 2018 FOR SURE so if you haven’t gotten on the leopard print train yet, now is the time. Trends come and go way too fast these days, don’t waste a minute thinking if you can “pull it off”… the answer is yes, you can definitely pull it off.
THE FASHIONLUSH RULES OF WEARING LEOPARD:
1. LEOPARD IS A NEUTRAL! I know this sounds weird because it’s definitely a loud print, but it really can surprisingly tie together a look. If you’re wearing jeans & a white tee, you might wanna reach for you go-to tan coat, but swap it out for a leopard print coat & you just elevated the f*ck out of your look (pardon my french, I am passionate about leopard).
2. CLASH! Remember- we said leopard was a neutral… so do NOT be scared to pair it with other prints. A few ideas- zebra (a match made in heaven), stripes, checks, & houndstooth.
3. LEOPARD ON LEOPARD. Honestly, the more leopard the better IMO. Leopard trousers with a cropped leopard jacket- yes plz. Leopard print dress w/ matching leopard print shoes- COOL AF.
4. BUT A POP WORKS TOO. If you’re not a head to toe leopard kinda gal- a pop of leopard is just as cool. A scrunchie, a leopard shoe, a small leopard clutch- just adding a smidge of leopard to your look.
5. THINK ABOUT THE SILHOUETTE. I am not opposed to a short & tight leopard dress, but it needs a little more work styling to ensure you don’t look like a ho (just saying!). I wore a leopard print mini dress with chunky dad sneakers & a denim jacket… it was casual & cool, but one false move & I would’ve looked a little too much Pretty Woman vibes if you get what I am saying. Some easier silhouettes would be silk & flowy (the oh so popular leopard midi skirt!) or structured & more covered up (leopard trousers)!
HONESTLY THOUGH- the best thing you can do with leopard is just have fun & experiment. It’s the one pattern, IMO, that you really can’t go wrong with. Keep reading for all my top leopard picks below (majority of which I already own!).
x, E
THE EDIT | LEOPARD IS TRENDING
1. Windsor Store leopard bike shorts: the bike shorts seen above! I am hugely obsessed w/ bike shorts right now (another big 2018 trend!). I picked up these spicy leopard bike shorts & paired them with an oversized black tee (I knotted it up, but also looks good just regular!) & some fun edgy boots. They’d also look fab with an oversized white mens button up & sneakers.
2. Storets oversized leopard print blazer: I have & LOVE this blazer. Pair it with skinny faux leather or vinyl pants & black or white crop top (or bodysuit if you’re not a crop top kinda gal), & some barely there heels.
3. Kendall & Kylie leopard faux fur print coat: I live in a warmer client so the blazer is my go to, but I am going somewhere chillier for the holidays so I had to get this jacket. The oversized collar is dreamy. I would pair it with some skinny jeans, ankle boots, & a white tee so this jacket can steal the spotlight.
4. Missguided leopard midi skirt: if you don’t have a silk midi leopard print skirt yet, what are you doing? I am not even a midi skirt kinda gal- but this skirt is so flattering & fun. All you need is a plain white tee, maybe a denim jacket, & a fun pair of heels for date night or just some white sneaks for lounging.
5. Missguided mustard leopard cropped jacket & matching skirt: love a co-ord, cause very little styling is needed & this mustard color is SO fun.
6. River Island leopard print scrunchie: HOW FUN IS A LEOPARD SCRUNCHIE? I am ordering now. You can pair it with anything- but I would personally love to see a head to toe leopard look finished with a leopard scrunchie.
7. Saint Laurent leopard print calf hair knee high boots: okay so these are $3k but I am adding them to the list cause OMG best shoes I have ever seen. If you can afford them, wear them everyday with anything. Sleep in them if you want.
8. Missguided leopard print mules: for a more affordable shoe, this mule is everything & can also be worn with anything. A leopard print shoe with a zebra look (HOW FUN!), a leopard print shoe with an all black look (quick way to spice things up), a leopard print shoe with a leopard look (street style vibes on point!).