Spot On
There’s Just Something About Leopard Print…
Leopard print never really goes away (it’s a classic AND a neutral IMHO), but it was trending all over the Fall 2018 runways and I’m already seeing a lot of it in the pre-fall and fall collections starting to hit the shelves.
If you’re leopard-curious, but afraid of coming off like Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, you can ease in slowly with a little pop of leopard as an accessory. A shoe, scarf or bag in an animal print is a great way to create a focal point in a simple outfit. Many animal prints look fantastic paired with either neutrals or colors. And you don’t have to wait for cooler weather to incorporate a little bit of leopard into your wardrobe.
Here’s the bag I’m carrying above. It’s a nice, not-too-fussy piece that adds a little bit of structure to casual outfits. Bracelet | jeans (similar) | shoes (similar)
Leopard Print Accessories You Can Wear Now
This little bucket bag from J.Crew is really cute in person. Keep an eye out for sales and discounts…I’ve seen it marked down periodically.
This lightweight scarf is a nice print and very budget-friendly!
Here’s a cheetah print slide sandal that will look great with jeans, cropped pants, and dresses/skirts. The smallish print isn’t too “in your face,” and the wooden heels are nice and summery.
And these mules will take you from summer into fall in style. (They’re getting high marks for comfort among reviewers, too.)
For those with grey hair or cooler coloring, here’s a monochromatic ocelot print clutch. (And the sweater shown in the widget below is also available in a black-and-white version.)
More For Leopard Lovers…
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Cute, cute, cute. I love all your choices here. I really need a new pair of leopard loafers. I had a pair and wore them so much I actually wore them out.
I love it when you can get your money’s worth when you buy items.
I love leopard shoes so much that I always wear them out!
FYI, There are a couple of sizes of the Cole Haan leopard mules online again now. I just now ordered in size 7.
I have historically disliked leopard, but have come around slightly. I own the J. Crew black and leopard cross body bag that you posted a while back which is incredibly versatile and good quality.
I’m looking forward to the mules – they are a small pop of pattern that will go great with all the neutrals I wear. Thanks for the heads up!
FYI: Just checked on those leopard mules: they are sold out on the Nordstrom site. Should have bought them when I first saw them!
Ah, so sorry. They were available when I was preparing this post yesterday. You might want to keep an eye on them and see if they get restocked during the sale.
I’m so glad leopard print is still popular, I have a bag I use all the time in the fall. Love your bracelet, I’m obsessed with everything on the French Kande website.
“Leopard curious” … 🙂
I have no idea how I have never realized until now that Mrs. Robinson wore so very many animal prints in that movie! Truly, my super powers are not especially visual. I guess that’s why I need so much help on the style front.
Hello Susan,
I have grey hair (white to dark grey) and find that traditional (“real”) leopard prints are not as becoming as they were when my hair was very dark brown. I am always on the lookout for grey animal prints as I find them so much better. Could you please post any that you find? Other readers with grey hair may appreciate it ~ i certainly will!
Thank you! I love your blog and read faithfully every day it is posted.
Patricia Alesso in St. Paul, MN
Hi Patricia, here’s a good one I’m going to add to the post. I’ll keep an eye out for other options too! LINK And thank you so much!
Swoon–you know I’m a leopard woman, myself! I saw a couple of leopard jackets at NAS, but don’t know what I’ll want with our relocation-darn! I did recently get a pair of Sarto sandals which I’m looking forward to wearing.
I love animal print! And all the items you posted are soooo cute!
I really like leopard print but have been a little wary of it. Your comment about looking like Mrs Robinson made me laugh at myself. I realized that was my problem! So I see some leopard print in my future. And those are very, very cute shoes!
Just yesterday I was thinking about how you always have sunglasses/glasses on and don’t show your eyes and then Voila! Your new profile picture! Such pretty eyes too!
Thank you! I actually wear sunglasses most of the time when I’m outdoors during the day (or Transitions lenses). I tend to keep them on when I’m doing my own photos so I don’t have to worry about what my eyes are doing in addition to everything else. 😉
This is one area where you and I disagree. I’m not fond of animal prints in general, but I actively dislike leopard. It’s funny you should mention “Mrs. Robinson,” because that movie shows how animal prints were viewed in the bygone era of my youth. It’s no coincidence that the lady in the movie is wearing what seemed like “hoochie wear” when I was a kid. Of course, it’s ridiculous, but I just can’t get past it. (That noisy mother-in-my-head who had opinions about what I should wear.)
And in case anyone cares, I am back from my France trip and have decided Airbnb is not for me.
When I saw the “Mrs. Robinson” reference by Susan (above), I went googling for how Anne Bancroft’s wardrobe was designed. Turns out all those animal prints she wore (yes, there were a lot) were the inspiration of Director Mike Nichols who wanted her character’s style to suggest a predator on the prowl.
“I kept thinking about [the Henry James novella] The Beast in the Jungle,” Nichols once recalled. “Let’s have animal skins.” http://classiq.me/style-in-film-anne-bancroft-in-the-graduate
I join Kay in not liking animal prints. I have had the privilege of seeing many large cats, giraffes and other animals in the wild, and they are so breathtakingly beautiful that most material imitating their coats strikes me as almost hideous. Also, it sometimes reminds of the days when women wore garments and shoes made out of real wild animal skins. By these remarks (which I have not aired before and probably will not again), I do not mean to cast any aspersions on people who chose to wear animal prints: up with diversity in everything, including tastes.
Yes I feel the same. I think most of us would agree that wearing fur is an abomination, but even fake furs and prints leave me feeling uncomfortable. Only ocelots should rock ocelot print, the same goes for leopards and tigers and mink too.
Love your earrings where can they be bought? They look like they are light and not heavy on the ears!
Hi Paula, thanks! Yes, they are very light. They’re from Melissa Joy Manning, HERE.
That cute little J. Crew bag can be had for less than $100 right now. It’s already on sale and with the code BIGGESTSALE they’ll give you another 50 percent off.
Thanks for the tip!
I wore my paprika skirt and top with a DVF leopard clutch the other day. A little leopard goes a long way so I kept my shoes neutral. I never wear leopard shoes and bag. One or the other. I think its just too much.
I love leopard
I have a dark, subtle leopard raincoat that I have had for 5 years. Always get compliments on it. Also have leopard loafers, leopard kitten heels and a short leopard fly away jacket. My absolute favorite wardrobe items!
Until recently I’ve shied away from leopard print, but have surprised myself by buying a scarf… the one you’re featuring is gorgeous… and of all things, a pale leopard print skirt. That last purchase has me wondering “who are you and what have you done with Brenda?” LOL!
Hi Susan,
Love your shoes in this post- where are they from? Thanks!
Hi Lyn, thanks! These are Paul Green shoes from a couple of years ago and are no longer available. Here’s a similar style: http://bit.ly/2LUgqqj
i was a leopard-print fan–loafers, ankle boots, small bag, belt, jacket (one at a time, of course). Then I went to Kenya and saw leopards in the wild. I have found that I can’t enjoy my leopard print items anymore. My stomach turns each time I try to wear one, so they’re going away.