Wonder how to work catwalk cool into your own closet? Here’s how to translate the trends for real life.
Designers felt the roar of the wild as they created their fall fashion collections, sending lots of leopard prints down their runways. In fact, the spotted pattern has become so popular (this season we saw it at Chloe, Givenchy, Sportmax, Celine and many others, in everything from dresses to tops to coats to clutches to skirts to pants) that we fully agree with J.Crew’s Jenna Lyons who declared, “As far as I’m concerned, leopard is a neutral.”
Just remember, a little leopard can go a long way. A leopard print pump livens up a black suit. A leopard pant is purr-fect, as long as you pair it with a simple sweater. A leopard dress will roar style, but keep the rest of your look paired down. On the hunt for the pattern? Here are nine chic styles (all priced at $200 or less!) that will make you say, “here, kitty-kitty.”
Leopard was paired with sparkles and sporty socks on the Hache fall 2014 runway. ( Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)
THE RUNWAY: Hache, fall 2014
A faux fur leopard-print straight skirt took on sporty (those socks!), evening (that sparkly top!) and menswear (those oxfords!) trends during the Hache runway presentation.
YOUR WAY:
Simplify: A bold leopard print isn’t too overpowering when itap teamed up with sophisticated neutrals. Love the pattern in a dress? A couple gold bangles and a pair of hoop earrings are all the accessories you need. Wearing a leopard jacket or coat? Pair it with a white blouse and dark slim pants. Opting for a leopard T-shirt? Add black jeans and you’re set.
If you wear a bold leopard piece, keep everything else simple. (Provided by Ralph Lauren, White House | Black Market, H&M)
LAUREN Ralph Lauren leopard-print , $139, ; White House | Black Market leopard , $170, ; H&M short-sleeved blouse, $34.95,
Work it: Tired of wearing the same basic black, navy or gray suit to work every day? Mix in some leopard! Try mixing and matching the pieces you already have with a polished leopard-print blazer or spotted trouser. Think that would be too much at your conservative office? A leopard blouse will add just a peek of print (but a lot of style) under your buttoned-up suit.
Mix a leopard print in with your regular suiting pieces for an updated work look. (Provided by Zara, Nordstrom, Mango)
Zara blazer, $169, ; Vince Camuto Sweeping Leopard , $99, ; Mango leopard , $59.99,
Accessorize: As J.Crew’s Lyons said, leopard is a neutral, so investing in a great pair of printed pumps, a fab handbag or a pretty scarf is kind of a no-brainer, right?
Leopard accessories will update any outfit. (Provided by Asos, Piperlime, Macy’s)
Dune Damzel , $148.54, ; Sam Edelman , $140, ; Style&co. , $34,
Lesley Kennedy writes for ShopAtHome.com. Email her at LKennedy@ShopAtHome.com or follow her on Instagram @shopathome.
