How to Wear Leopard Print, the Grown-Up Way

Leopard print has a reputation for being loud, but worn well it is one of the most useful patterns in your wardrobe. If you have wondered how to wear leopard print without feeling like you are in costume, the answer is simple: think of it as a neutral.

How to wear leopard print as a neutral

Look closely at a classic leopard print. It is made of tan, camel, brown, black and cream, all of which are neutrals on their own. That is why it goes with far more than you might expect. Think of it the way you think of a camel coat or a pair of navy trousers: something that sits quietly beside other colours.

The safest partners are the colours already in the print, and the classics that sit next to them:

• Black, for a sharp, polished look.
• Camel and cream, for a soft tonal outfit.
• Navy and denim, which make leopard look relaxed and easy.
• Red or plum, if you want one bold colour alongside.

Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the print do the talking. A leopard print shacket with snap buttons over a black top and jeans is a whole outfit, done.

Leopard also works across the seasons. In winter, it looks rich next to burgundy, chocolate brown and charcoal grey. In summer, try it with white, ecru and washed denim, which keep it light and fresh rather than heavy. The same print can feel cosy in November and breezy in July, depending only on what you put beside it. That is exactly what makes it worth owning: one piece, worn all year, in completely different moods.

Coats and jackets to start with

A few pieces that fit what you have just read.

Leopard Print Shacket with Snap ButtonsBelted Knee-Length Trench Coat, Loose FitHerringbone Longline Coat with Single Button

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Start small: shoes, bags and scarves

If you are new to leopard, start at the edges of an outfit. A small dose of print on an accessory adds interest without asking you to change anything else.

Shoes are the easiest place to begin. Leopard flats or a low heel work with jeans, with a black dress and with grey trousers, and they act like a neutral shoe with more personality. A pair of leopard print block heels with a buckle strap turns a plain dress into something you would wear to a lunch. Browse our shoes for more.

A leopard scarf is the other easy entry point. Knot it at your neck over a camel coat or a navy jumper, and the outfit is instantly more interesting. Our guide on how to tie a scarf has six easy knots to try. A printed bag works the same way: one small hit of pattern against plain clothes. See our bags for shapes to go with it.

Going further with bigger pieces

Once you are comfortable, a bigger piece in leopard is the next step. The rule is simple: one leopard garment at a time, with everything else plain.

• A shirt or top. An animal print popover shirt with a chest pocket with black trousers is smart, or with jeans for the weekend.
• A skirt. A leopard midi skirt with a black jumper and boots is a classic autumn outfit. Look through our midi skirts for shapes that move well.
• A jacket. Leopard outerwear goes over almost anything plain. It is the piece you will wear most often.
• A quieter detail. If you prefer a quieter look, an open-front blazer with leopard print lining gives a flash of pattern only when it moves.

Avoid wearing leopard on top and bottom at the same time unless it is a deliberate set. Two different leopard prints rarely sit happily together.

Easy rules for wearing leopard print well

A few things keep leopard looking polished rather than overdone:

1. Choose a natural colourway. Classic tan and black looks smarter than bright or neon versions, especially in larger pieces.
2. Keep the cut simple. A busy print on a busy shape is a lot. Clean lines let the pattern be the feature.
3. Keep jewellery quiet. Gold or simple pearls go well; big, colourful pieces compete.
4. Mix with care. Leopard can sit beside a stripe or a small polka dot, but keep the second print small and share a colour. Our guide on how to wear prints and patterns explains the rules.

Start with a scarf or a pair of shoes, see how often you reach for them, and you may find leopard becomes one of your most reliable neutrals.

Next, from our blouses

Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.

Animal Print Popover Shirt with Chest PocketSatin Cowl Neck Blouse with Shirt CollarSleeveless Striped Button-Front Top, V-Neck

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