Something happens when fashion becomes very cool, sensible and stealth-rich – so that the definition of ‘status dressing’ becomes a luxurious navy blue polo collar with gray trousers.
It creates an opening for a really good disruptor; something you can throw on that gives you tasteful minimal separation, some teeth and claws. It could be an embellishment (but let’s not voluntarily pay the dry cleaning bill). They can be jewelry with a big impact (but after the great pearl and gold rush we can pause for a moment). Or it could be – that actually screams to be – a touch of leopard print.
We’ve been plagued by the ‘leopard is chic, not cheap’ message for a while now, so we know how it goes: leopard print can work as a neutral and pairs nicely with most plain clothes.
Leopard looks stylish, as long as the item in question is nicely cut and isn’t a sheer, flammable barmaid blouse with a matching drum-tight satin skirt. And last but not least: a little leopard goes a long way.
In a nutshell, we’ve learned to handle leopards with care, for fear of looking too much, too mafia, or just plain messy.
Heidi Klum in a leopard print top and boots last fall, and Rosamund Pike wears a statement dress at the Saltburn film premiere in November
Now the message is slightly different. Spring 2024 – when low-key, collectible everyday items are the order of the day – has become the perfect time to let the leopard loose and let it do what it does best: glamorize what you wear and create a add a little warmth and edge to your outfit. the same time.
The type of print is of great importance: too blurry and abstract and it loses its chic potential; if the background is too brown or too yellow, it doesn’t flatter anyone; and if, God forbid, the print is in one color, it becomes funky and something completely different. Do not go there.
I like a more ginger background color as it suits my skin best, but pale, creamy backgrounds are also flattering and match particularly well with the beige and stone tones currently available.
You can’t go wrong with leopard print if you’re over 50, as long as it’s not too sexy and slinky, as long as it’s not tight, and as long as you choose tailored pieces. Don’t forget to wear leopard print as you would, for example, wear navy blue wool.
A good place to start is a sharp, tailored pencil skirt in a pale leopard-print cotton twill background (£190, cefinn.com). This works with a black or camel sweater until it gets warmer and then with white, beige or cream colored blouses or a cropped block colored jacket.
Kate Moss in a funky leopard blazer and Myleene Klass wears a flouncy dress from Lily and Lionel
Danish brand Ganni has a lot of leopards every season and the print is a good bet, so head there for a longer line skirt (£195, ganni.com).
Still, the best leopard investment for my money is a jacket or short coat, and Sezane’s Noah jacket in wool jacquard knit with a ribbed teddy collar (£190, sezane.com) is one of those perfect smart-casual pieces – a little bit of jacket, a little cardigan, and just the thing to make your off-white pants or denim sing.
It’s also worth noting that Dior’s fall collection (shown in February at Paris Fashion Week) featured short paneled trench coats and car coats in a rich brown leopard print that had the front row drooling – a taste of what’s to come this winter is coming.
Dior’s fall collection, shown at Paris Fashion Week, featured short paneled trench coats
If you want an edge, Sezane has another thigh-length wool and acrylic blend coat on sale (£295) – the French swear by the lightening effect of leopard – and Hush for John Lewis does a good boxy-fit short faux fur, too on sale (£95, johnlewis.com).
The bolder the print, the better it works as an accent. Belts are a great way to introduce a ‘strong’ leopard (€25.99, zara.com) and Zara also makes a pair of faux fur sliders with two straps (€55.99) that look chic with everything – from black trousers to khaki and denim skirts.
Sezane has a good range of leopard sandals, but the shoe that appeals to me most is a chunky high-heeled ponyskin pump with an almond toe (£195), ideal for brightening up trousers or skirts and a style that will never change. real dating.
Otherwise I’m generally not a fan of ballerinas on older women, but I’d make an exception for a touch of leopard under wide trousers this spring: Boden’s kitty ballerinas (£98, boden.co.uk) are in a good print, or try Hobbs’s on sale (£59, hobbs.com).
And remember, we’re just getting into our leopard stride. Fall promises more wild cat prints on everything from bags to skirt suits.