Fashion fads come and go, but there’s always been one print that’s consistently driven the industry wild. That print? Leopard.
An infamous choice of celebrity style icons and runway designers alike, leopard’s versatility can add edge or prep to an outfit, depending on how it’s worn—impressive, if you ask us. Coming in a variety of textures, hues and spot sizes, this unbreakable trend has always held a hint of glamor—so why is it that so many of us are still scared to wear it? Whether it’s a fear of looking flashy, or even worse, trashy, you can fear no more, collegiettes. We’ve taken out the guesswork to help you master the print of all prints with sass and class. The key? Treat leopard as a neutral.
1. Go Gingham
Most of us are terrified to combine prints for fear of looking overdone, but when you treat leopard as a neutral, those issues disappear. Leopard’s favorite preppy playdate? Gingham. A great way to mix the two is by wearing gingham basics and adding leopard as an accent. The look is extremely put-together and definitely business causal appropriate, especially if you swap out jeans for some navy chinos.
2. Get Spotted
If you’re ready to go full out, try animal print outerwear. It’s incredibly trendy and coats and jackets are the perfect way to add flare to an otherwise bland outfit. In the winter, go for a faux fur, long-line leopard coat. In the summer, swap it out for a lightweight leopard blazer. Either way, pair your outerwear with an all-denim outfit. The final look will be unreal, making it look like you just left a street style shoot.
3. Fear No Floral
If you’re ready to give everyone around you a serious case of jungle fever, slip into a floral fit and flare and open-toed nude booties and accessorize with a cheetah clutch and tortoise shades. That’s right, floral and leopard go. So embrace those natural patterns and be prepared for envious stares.
4. Tight and Tartan
If you weren’t convinced that leopard is the ultimate bae of prints, check out another print relationship that’s got us fawning. When mixed with leopard, tartans and plaids are oh-so-edgy and irresistibly sultry. If you’re heading out for a night on the town, there is no better look to stand out in. And when fall rolls around, you can swap that skirt for a leopard-printed pant and the tank for a red and green plaid flannel.
5. Cool Cat
Want a look that’s easy-breezy? Grab some leopard slip-ons, white boyfriend jeans and a ruby red top. These sneaks will go with absolutely anything, but deep colors compliment them especially well.
6. Modernize
Leopard doesn’t just go with any color—it goes in any color. Get mod with an emerald print, which is both unexpected and absolutely darling. We’re officially obsessed. Also, a mod spotted phone case is so, so chic.
7. Bold and Blue
Gravitate toward gemstone tones whenever you’re unsure what to pair with this perfect print. Cobalt, turquoise, coral, garnet—you name it, it goes. We’re drooling over this mix of blue, black, and leopard. This outfit is the ultimate trendsetting look—you’re welcome for the inspo!
Leopard is wearable in anything—including shoes, tops, bottoms and accessories—as long as you wear it deliberately and with these tips in mind. As a trend that’s obviously here to stay, say hello to your newest neutral.