A.k.a. A Small Example of How Hard I Went for the Leopard Print Trend
If you are currently sitting at home during quarantine and haven’t at least heard about Tiger King, what are you doing? One of my favorite parts of the documentary was when, the now infamous, Carole Baskin walked into her closet to prove that nearly every item of clothing she owns is animal print. I, as a dedicated follower of fashion, instantly remembered the many articles I read over the past year or so about animal print. For a few glorious seasons we were wearing animal print, especially leopard print, everywhere we could fit it and I loved it. Since Carole’s undying love for her cats may single-handedly bring the trend back I decided to collect a few pieces for everyone to consider.
Pop of Pocket
The first piece I found is the most subtle. This t-shirt is perfect to wear with an easy pair of jeans for hanging out or running around. The pocket adds just a bit of personality to the otherwise plain shirt and would be perfect for someone who is just testing the waters for this trend. The print here is also quite big which is similar to the large florals that we are seeing in spring 2020. Even if you are not totally sold on the leopard, a statement pocket on an otherwise plain shirt is a great way to spice up an outfit. If you are trying to incorporate more patterns this is a great place to start.
Sunny and Stylish
All the cool cats and kittens have to have a pair of shades! These are a step up from the leopard pocket since the pattern covers the whole piece. That said, these are still a subtler nod to animal print since they are smaller. The wayfarer style has a casual, modern appearance to down play the quirkier pattern. From a distance they don’t even look like the are leopard print and they really do go with almost anything. For some extra big cat appreciation you could try wearing both the t-shirt and these sunnies.
Leopard Legs
These may not be as cool as a pair of leggings with tiger print And tiger heads but they are pretty wild. These pants are just the edge you were looking for if you are trying to find something other than black trousers and blue jeans. This pair is a comfortable high waist so there is no shortage of leopard from the natural waist all the way down to the ankle. I love wearing these with a white t-shirt for a casual day or a black blouse for a mildly professional look. I don’t have many pairs of pattern pants but these are one pair I can’t live without.
A Silky Slip
It may not be Carrie Bradshaw’s naked dress, but this fun slip dress is my go to dinner date dress. This dress hits my ankles perfectly (a short girl’s dream) and has a slit that runs up to my lower thigh. The thin fabric defines my waist well and, unlike the naked dress, makes me feel like I am wearing a bit more than just an undergarment. It also has a bit of a cowl neck which finished off the dress perfectly. Anyone feeling a little bold could rock this dress, maybe even paired with a black leather jacket and some black boots for the ultimate cool girl vibe.
Warm and Wild
Let me tell you about this magical coat. I got this on clearance a couple of summers ago and it went from about $60 to $20. It was summer so not only was I not going to be wearing this anytime soon but the more sensible among my group that day begged me to consider how often I would really wear a leopard print fur coat. The answer: daily if possible. I feel like the rich wine aunt in this and when everything is said and done, isn’t that how we all want to feel? All it takes is a bit of confidence and a love of at least pretending to be luxurious to toss on a masterpiece like this.
The key to rocking this trend is to do it with a smile. Remember animal print is a neutral so it works anytime, anywhere, with anything. Don’t be afraid to be bold and don’t feel like you have to be dressed head to toe in leopard print to be a part of the fun. Style is a personal journey so it is important to find things that make you feel happy and like yourself! Have fun and stay wild.
xoxo,
Emelie
