Leopards don’t change their spots.
Thankfully for fashion’s sake.
Leopard print is back again as fierce and ferocious as ever. I don’t think it ever leaves the fashion arena it is simply a question of emphasis.
This season is an autumn/winter of rich textile and print, of embroidery, texture and pattern; it is a season to embrace the mix and especially the leopard spot.
I think of leopard print as an essential.
Leopard is as important as black and as wearable as neutrals. I have loved wearing the “spots” forever and on a cost per wear basis (the best shopping philosophy ever) this animal print is winning hands down.
Leopard and I go way back.
Jungle fever started with the leopard print scarf. I have a black and white print and loved it so much I doubled up with the classic colour. I think I was initially nervous to wear the true leopard shade, now it is my go-to accessory with everything. These scarves have been patched up and patched over but they still look fabulous worn with almost everything. One or the other scarf never misses a trip and when packing has to be light they really do the work for me.
Next there was the leopard print dress.
I can still feel the fear and trepidation when I passed over my credit card and made what was for me a ‘significant’ purchase. I think I felt nervous for days. I shouldn’t have and that dress is not only one of my true loves but also in the black when it comes to the cost per wear formula. It is a simple shift dress and one I can wear all year long with or without tights. I like to wear this dress with a simple biker jacket but I have also cozied up in a cashmere cardigan or 3/4 overcoats worn over the top.
The leopard dress is another version of the little black dress and equally as wearable.
Then I decided a leopard skirt would be a brilliant essential to add to the wardrobe.
It was. The leopard skirt worn with a black tee shirt, camisole and suit style blazer is an easy outfit and a winner at all times. Sometimes a skirt has a little more flexibility than a dress and sometimes it feels a little more adventurous. A skirt requires more effort to accessorise and more mental imagination to pull the combination together but when it works, it really works. I am thinking the velvet and the leopard could be a winning combination, don’t you?
And then there were these subtle beauties.
Leopards don’t change their spots and neither do they mix them.
Leopard is a one time deal only; a one piece at a time wonder. I am not brave enough to add leopard upon leopard upon leopard. It doesn’t work for me and I haven’t seen it work for many. What does work is a good red lipstick with the leopard spot or alternatively a nude lip with a pair of smoky eyes really compliments the print.
This season I will be adding to my spots. Leopards don’t change theirs and neither am I. xv
The Edit: Leopards Don’t Change Their Spots
dress up
**leopard knit dress // ‘cybil’ leopard wrap // **delany leopard shirtdress // leopard pencil skirt
wrap up
**alice & olivia faux leopard coat // eliza j faux leopard coat // silk and cashmere leopard sweater // **givenchy print silk scarf
Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring, “Leopards Don’t Change Their Spots”.
images, vogue china august 2016 vanessa moody by camilla akrans
