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Fashion trend to try: leopard print

Written by
March 13, 2012
Be Pretty
18 Comments

Have you got a bit of animal in you? I do.

I love me a little leopard. Not actually the real leopard variety of course. No, if you come to my home you won’t live in fear of finding it looking like a game reserve.

No, if you come to my home and peek in my wardrobe you’ll find a goodly smattering of leopard print.

On kaftans, high heels, bags, scarfs, loafers … you name it, no wardrobe stone has been left unturned in my love of the leopard print.

Which is really good as it NEVER seems to disappear off the style radar. So I always have something on-trend to pull out, wear and feel fabbo in.

Now maybe this is a trend YOU’VE already nailed. You happily bring out your inner big cat on a regular basis but maybe this is a trend that you’ve previously found a tad overwhelming.

There are some key style points I like to keep in mind when going the leopard. These might help you:

1. Too much leopard print CAN be too much.

2. Make leopard print the statement – the focal point – of your outfit. 

3. If you’re new to this trend, a clutch or pair of shoes can be a great place to start.

4. Don’t mix your animal prints – you are not a jungle or an African plain.

5. Leopard print works back with neutral colours of black, white and tan but it also comes to life with a splash of vibrant red, orange, yellow or cobalt blue.

6. Never throw out a piece of leopard print. Even if this trend seems to skip the odd season or too, it always comes back.

Still want more? I’ve put together a bit of a gallery for some style inspiration.

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via Cupcakes and Cashmere

Which is your fave leopard print look? Do you do a bit of leopard? Or perhaps you’re more zebra? 

 

  • http://www.getinthehotspot.com/ Annabel, Get In The Hot Spot

    Leopard is gorgeous:) Love Zebra ptints too and because it’s hard to find it’s a bit more unusual.

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      Endangered fashion species?

  • Mrs Woog

    I adore leopard print! ROAR

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      I roar with you!

  • http://twitter.com/ShesSonic She’s Sonic

    Leopard is a neutral for me!! I have leopard print scarves, ballet flats, cardis…and will soon be the owner of a leopard print wide brim floppy hat!!

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      Oh My … that sounds AMAZE-BALLS!! x

      • http://lionesslady.blogspot.com/ Lionesslady

        Sussans have a leopard print wide brim floppy hat in their catalogue at the moment.  You will ahve to go to the bigger stores though to lay your hands on one.

  • Jess

    I am typing this sitting on my leopard print duvet looking at my handbag with leopard lining and looking at the pile of washing I must fold which probably contains 10 items of leopard print. Yep it’s my favourite colour and has been for 20 years!

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      Jess … I hear you ROARing from here!

  • http://www.absoluteamy.com/ Absolute Amy

    I’m with Sonia! I have leopard print accessories; ballet flats, scarves oh and a top. Love it!  I’m planning on getting me some of those leopard print loafers that are hot this season too. ROAR ROAR!!

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      Welcome to the jungle, Amy … it’s a fun place to be, isn’t it?!

  • http://trumatter.wordpress.com/ Rukmini Roy

    I have no leopard print “anything” but a clutch i think would be my best bet. Or maybe a scarf. Maybe. I love animal prints but only on someone else. I have this very weird feeling that on me it would look like fashion disaster.

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      A clutch would definitely be a great start!

  • Pagan

    I had a chiffon leopard button up blouse with little tails in front that you tie in a knot – in the 80′s!  SO wish I had kept it… must just double check the wardrobe in the front bedroom when I am visiting the parents at Easter… just in case I didn’t

    • http://www.justbaustralia.com.au/ Nikki @ Justb.

      I would! And never throw out leopard print – it’s in every season these days!

  • Caz Ruthford

    I really really love the look of a little bit of leopard but for some reason I have absolutely none in my wardrobe.  I buy a lot of it for my mother in law – she’s nuts for it but she regularly commits crimes namely #1 and 4 of your key points and possibly thats my fault coz I keep buying it for her but its the only thing I buy her that I see her using!! ;-)  

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  • Melanie_2474

    I’m sporting some today in fact – leopard peep toe shoes and a sneaky peek in the lining of my ‘demure’ work blazer :)   I also have a fold up umbrella permanently in my (very conservative tan) handbag, and a cheap-as clutch that I bought from K-Mart and use as a makeup/toiletries bag also in said handbag.  A chunky cotton scarf rounds out my leopard wardrobe. 

    Planned additions for this season are a pair of loafers or ballet flats (drooling over the ones at Diana Ferrari) and possibly a sheer pussy bow blouse (if my ‘girls’ can take the extra bulk ;) ). 

    I usually wear my leopard with black basics – today the shoes are teamed with a knit baby-doll style 3/4 sleeve dress (it’s suddenly turned chilly in Canberra) and plain black pantyhose and the aforementioned blazer also in black.  But I love to throw a splash of red into a red ensemble or to add some glam to a jeans and white T/white shirt combo. 

    I love that leopard also seems to come back around (almost every season in some form it seems lately) but am aware, particularly as I get older, that too much together can make you look less leopard and more ‘cougar dressed as lamb’ (to mix my metaphors!).