A few weeks ago, I was seeking fashion advice from our Facebook shopping group So… Should I Buy This? in relation to a leopard-print jacket I was contemplating buying. The response was overwhelmingly positive: Some readers even insisted that leopard print is a neutral and, as such, a wardrobe investment that cannot be faltered.
Still, coming to terms with its newfound chicness can be difficult, as the motif is so rooted in pop culture. Heck, it wasn’t all that long ago that leopard print was considered tacky (hello, Janice from Friends or Kat from EastEnders) and synonymous with the “mutton dressed as lamb” stereotype, outdated as it may be.
In 2021, however, it has been widely embraced by the fashion crowd, most notably by achingly cool influencers such as Léna Farl, Kellie Brown, Anne Laure Mais and Grece Ghanem. And it seems they’re not alone in their adoration. From Celine to Max Mara, Michael Kors to Lanvin, leopard print cropped up in a multitude of ways on the autumn 2021 runways, cementing it as a print trend worth considering.
Indeed, the classic print has been given a serious rebranding, and it’s considered a totally accessible aesthetic. It’s perfectly normal to see people walking down the street in a leopard skirt, dress or jeans, as it can be what you want it to be: elegant, grown-up, eccentric… You can clash it with other prints (here’s looking at you, Sara Brown) or pair it with minimalist staples for a pop of personality. Yep, this is leopard print for the postmodern age.
From dresses and jeans to tops and skirts, there’s a leopard look for everyone. I’ve scoured my favourite Instagram feeds to find my favourite outfits to spark your style imagination this summer. As for the next six months? Take your cues from the runway imagery I’ve also collated for you for ease.
