Believe it or not, certain prints can act as neutrals in our wardrobes. One print that typically goes with anything, even other prints, is leopard. While I don’t love all animal prints, I do love leopard. It looks good from head to toe, whether it’s on a hat, a sweater, or shoes. You might be thinking, “really, leopard print, that’s so tacky?” And, you’d be right in many cases. It’s all about how you style leopard print. Picking the right pieces and adding classy accessories can help keep the look elevated, and not like you took style tips from Peg Bundy.

So, how do you make leopard print look its best and act as a neutral. Here’s my take on it!

• Choose the right color tone. Stay away from brassy or bright colors. Pick a color that is muted and looks like it would on an actual leopard, not one that dyed itself in neon paint.
• If you go for fur (since it is leopard after all) only wear it as a coat or sweater. It’s really the only spot that fur won’t overwhelm the body or look overly tacky. No one needs furry leopard pants, am I right?
• Mix it up. Wearing leopard mixed with other prints, like my outfit here, works really well. When it’s subtly worked into a bolder pattern, you get a taste of it, but don’t have to feel like an actual human leopard. It’s a great supplement to tropical prints and can really give you the jungle vibe, without looking like you are a piece of furniture in the Jungle Room at Graceland (nothing against Elvis, he is one of my all time faves, and the Jungle Room is actually pretty cool). Again, muted colors here tend to be best in my opinion.
• Start small. If you shy away from bold prints and/or animal prints, you don’t have to take the plunge and wear them in a large scale right away. You could start by accessorizing with jewelry, outerwear (hats, gloves, scarves) or shoes.
• Dress for the season. While this is true of most fashion tips, you want to think about the season especially so for animal print. Obviously, chunky leopard prints sweaters aren’t going to look right  in the middle of July, but a cute shift dress, accessorized with sandals and a straw bag would. Like I said, animals prints can act as neutrals, making them easy patterns to transition from season to season, as long as it’s the right fabric.
• Remember the snow leopard. If browns aren’t your thing, you are in luck. There are a lot of great gray leopard prints out there, and it’s a great way to incorporate the pattern into your wardrobe in a new way.
• Strut your stuff with confidence. As an actual leopard would do, walk into a space with pride. If you feel good, you look good, and vice versa. Style your leopard print with the above tips so you’ll be looking good, and you’ll be feeling it too!
• P.S. Although these photos were taken at the end of summer, I am actually writing this post while I’m on an Amtrak train wearing a gray leopard scarf and am sitting next to two girls also in leopard. One, a bit older than I am, in a gray leopard fuzzy sweater. The other, a teenager, in a brown leopard print long-sleeve tee. It’s versatile, for any fashion lover of any age!

Are you feeling ferocious? Ready to put your paw out there in style, in leopard print of course? Follow the tips above and wear your spots with pride!

Signed with Style,