This timeless yet very youthful print has been turning heads for years!
Leopard print, made famous by designer Norman Norell in the 1940's, has been a symbol of luxury and glamour for decades. Worn by Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe or political wives like Jackie Kennedy. The animal print became a staple for most women and was worn in many different ways. There are three distinct ways to wear
leopard print: a hint, a little more and an all over print.
A hint of leopard print is easy to do and a fun way to add a hint of surprise to an everyday outfit. You can add a leopard printed scarf, handbag or shoe. Leopard printed ballet flats with a pair of
pencil leg denim pants and a
simple blouse or sweater is a great look for day or night. Ashley Olsen adds a leopard print scarf to her blazer and plaid skirt. Another fun way to play with fashion is to "mix patterns" as she did with the animal print and plaid.Kristin Cavallari and Carey Mulligan add a sexy little leopard print pump to their sleek and simple dresses. Kate Bosworth and Taylor Momsen put a girly spin on their edgy outfit with a leopard print handbag.
The second way to add animal print is a little bit more of a statement with a jacket,
skirt or legging. You still want to keep your outfit balanced, in doing this you will need to keep the other half of your outfit simple. This is still very easy to do. Pair a leopard printed jacket with a simple pair of denim or dress pant as our other Olsen twin Mary-Kate did with her leopard jacket and wide-legged dress pants. Kate Moss paired her leopard print skirt with a little black jacket combo. Kim K also paired her leopard skirt with a black turtleneck and kept the accessories simple with a small black handbag and black pump. Both of these trends can work in or outside of work, again as a daytime look, or dressed up with the right accessories for night.
The third and most daring for this trend is all over leopard print. Designers and celebrities are getting more daring with the all over prints. We are seeing more formal gowns in the famous leopard print but it is still done with great beauty and sophistication. Rachel Bilson and Nicky Hilton both dared to cross to the wild side on the red carpet and looked stunning. You can also wear full animal print in two different color blocks. Rihanna wore a leopard print dress in two different color blocks with a red tone on the bottom breaking up the allover print. You can easily do this with a fun chunky belt if you find an allover printed dress you love. Just remember to keep the accessories simple.
This is the most fearless you can be in fashion but go for it if you have the chance. Whether you try it with a hint, a bit more, or allover leopard print as always enjoy your walk on the wild side!
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