Something happens when fashion becomes very cool, sensible and sneakily rich – so that the definition of “dress status” becomes a luxurious navy polo collar with gray tailored trousers.
This creates an opening for a very good disruptor; something you can throw on and gives your tasteful minimal separates some teeth and claws. This could be a beautification (but let’s not volunteer to foot the dry cleaning bill). It could be high-impact jewelry (but after the great pearl and gold rush, we might take a break). Or it could be – this screams it, actually – a touch of leopard print.
We’ve been bombarded with the “leopard is chic, not cheap” message for a while now, so we know how it goes: leopard print can work as a neutral and will blend well with most solid clothing. .
Leopard looks stylish, as long as the item in question is well cut and not a see-through, flammable barmaid blouse with a matching tight satin skirt. And last but not least, a little leopard goes a long way.
In a word, we learned to be careful around the leopard, lest we appear too much, marry too much into the mafia, or just get dirty.
Heidi Klum wore a leopard-print top and boots in fall last year, and Rosamund Pike wore a bold dress to the Saltburn movie premiere in November.
Now the message is slightly different. Spring 2024 — when calm, collectible everyday pieces are the order of the day — has become the perfect time to unleash the leopard and let it do what it does best: embellish what you wear and add a little warmth and edginess at the same time.
The type of print is essential: too vague and abstract, it loses its chic potential; if the background is too brown or too yellow, it flatters no one; and if, God forbid, the print is in color, it becomes funky and completely different. Do not go.
I like a more gingery foundation color because it looks better on my skin, but pale, creamy foundations are also flattering and pair particularly well with the beige and stone shades of the moment.
You can’t go wrong with leopard print when you’re over 50, as long as it’s not too sexy and tight, as long as it’s not tight, and as long as you choose fitted pieces. Don’t forget to wear leopard as you would, for example, navy blue wool.
A good place to start is a well-fitted pencil skirt in a pale background leopard print cotton twill (£190, cefinn.com). This will work with a black or camel sweater until it warms up, then with white, beige or cream blouses or a cropped, block-colored jacket.
Kate Moss in a funky leopard blazer and Myleene Klass wears a Lily and Lionel ruffled dress
Danish brand Ganni does a lot of leopard every season and its print is a good bet, so head for a longer skirt (£195, ganni.com).
Still, for my money, the best leopard investment is a cropped jacket or coat, and Sezane’s Noah jacket in wool jacquard knit with a teddy ribbed collar (£190, sezane.com) is one such piece perfect smart casuals – a bit of a jacket, a little cardigan, and just the right amount to make your off-white pants or denim sing.
It’s also worth noting that Dior’s fall collection (shown in February at Paris Fashion Week) included cropped paneled trench coats and carcoats in a rich brown leopard print that had the front row salivating – a preview of what’s to come this winter.
Dior’s fall collection shown at Paris Fashion Week included cropped, paneled trench coats
If you want to get ahead of the curve, Sezane once again offers a thigh-length wool and acrylic blend coat (£295) – the French swear by the luminous effect of leopard – and Hush for John Lewis does a good boxy cut short faux fur, also on sale (£95, johnlewis.com).
The bolder the print, the better it works as an accent. Belts are a good way to introduce some ‘loud’ leopard (£25.99, zara.com) and Zara also has two-strap faux fur sliders (£55.99) which will look chic with everything – from trousers blacks with khaki and denim skirts. .
Sezane has a good range of leopard sandals, but the shoe I like is a chunky pony skin high heel pump with an almond toe (£195), ideal for dressing up trousers or skirts and a style that won’t be never worn. actually dating someone.
Otherwise, I’m not generally a fan of ballet flats for older women, but I’d make an exception for a flash of leopard under wide-leg pants this spring: Boden’s Kitty Flats (£98, boden.co.uk) are in a good print, or try Hobbs on sale (£59, hobbs.com).
And remember, we’re just starting to hit our leopard’s pace. Fall promises a lot more wild cat prints on everything from bags to skirt suits.