7.07.2012

foundations: leopard is a neutral

barbara streisand rocking it at the vintage front row. via nymag

leopard print is such a contradictory fashion statement. it can be alternately loud or quiet. when it's bad, it's notorious for being the epitome of tackiness. when it's good, it's the embodiment of sophistication with a dose of cheek. leopard print can be tricky to wear, but i find that it is surprisingly neutral and versatile. the key is to find the right print.

this season, i got two pieces that have been longtime wishlist items:

// leopard print ballet flats //
i recently got this fun pair of slightly Flintstone-esque leopard ballets by Swedish label Minimarket. how rad are the appliquéd-leather spots?? love that they're on sale too. you also can't go wrong with the classic haircalf version



// leopard print silk blouse //
i also got this steven alan one on sale last month. i can't resist a simple and elegant silk blouse, and this is the perfect example of leopard print done right!


what's your take on leopard print? how would you wear it?

25 comments:

  1. I haven't felt an urge to own any leopard print clothing, but I couldn't do without my leopard print scarves :) I have a soft viscose blend in purple and ivory from Accessorize, two beautiful wool scarves in magenta and purple from Delhi, and a Louis Vuitton vicuna scarf in yellow and black.
    Btw, that JCrew leopard print purse you blogged about earlier is now on sale on Netaporter, in case you were still interested.

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    1. oh the leopard print scarf is a great standby! i've been a leopard print fan for a few years now, so it's a trans-seasonal foundation in my book :)

      i think that jcrew bag sold out a while ago, but i'm sure they'll bring it back next season.

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  2. i love leopard print too!i always pair it with black but maybe there are also other combinations that might work, just havent experimented yet ahah!btw, i love yor blog, just discovered it but i am hooked!!keep posting :)
    a.

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  3. I've been taking careful steps into the world of leopard, and scarves felt like the natural place to start since I'm such a huge fan of scarves anyway. My mom gave me a brown and black one as a gift a few months ago, and I recently bought two blue and black ones on eBay - they were a little too small for my taste so I sewed them together. I kind of dig it!

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    1. yeah i got one from zara and it's the perfect accessory :)

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  4. I like leopard print too but I agree it can look tacky. I also find I need to be in the mood to wear it.

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  5. The shoes are so cute!! I've been looking for the "right" leopard ballet flats to no avail. I think they're the perfect finishing touch: Not overkill, just fresh and classic and it works on any occasion.
    Aside from shoes, I'm still on the lookout for an old APC short leopard coat. I just wish they would reissue it! Such a fantastic piece...

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    1. hehe the appliqué is pretty brilliant. and i know just the APC coat you're talking about. sigh...

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  6. I like it on other people but stay far away from anything animal print myself. I don't know why but I just can't do it!

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  7. I also think that a leopard print bag can be very chic! We have a Pierre Hardy one at work (the one that Alexandra Golovanoff has! http://trendycrew.com/street-fashion/alexandra-golovanoff-paris-fashion-week-4/) and it's on sale and it's calling out my name. Imagine jut that with some navy blue pants and an oatmeal sweater and some little loafers???

    I don't own anything leopard print, so it's going to take a lot to convince me into it. :)
    xxx

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    1. mmmm but think of all the chic women who rock leopard print, eh? so long as you pick the right print - easy to avoid Mrs. Robinson territory.

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  8. your leopard trench is epic. i think most people think of leopard print as a winter thing but i am all over the silky summery leopard print this year!

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  9. Oh, I have been so worried about how I have some deep psychosis about leopard..... it looks so great done well. But I cant do it!!! I console myself with my other animal skin passions.... ostrich and croc. Think I'm an ostrich girl.

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    1. haha - Anneli, i think you can do it! :) i imagine a very funny little support group of leopard print newbies from this blog now that you mention it... :D

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  10. Im a leopard fanatic, I have several leopard items in my wardrobe.. I have the topshop leopard coat that was out a couple of years ago, several leopard print dresses and the most perfect pair of leopard pumps... the Madewell Film Noir pumps! They are perfection!

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  11. Im a leopard fanatic, I have several leopard items in my wardrobe.. I have the topshop leopard coat that was out a couple of years ago, several leopard print dresses and the most perfect pair of leopard pumps... the Madewell Film Noir pumps! They are perfection!

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  12. Just yesterday I was considering buying these:
    http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/es/es/zara-S2012-s/244401/828513/BAILARINA%2BLEOPARDO

    Really cheap to see if they work for me or not...I am not too keen on printed things : )

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  13. Leopard print is the best... but only when done well and paired with black!

    http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk/

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  14. When done well leopard is spot on. I like the idea of leopard flats...

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  15. I've always liked leopard print but could never take the plunge. It does seem loud to me but when I see leopard done right it doesn't seem so loud. But yet I am afraid to do it myself. I've always wanted a leopard print coat but I think I should start off with something small, like the leopard print flats.

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    1. i agree - the leopard print flats are definitely a pretty easy way to work some leopard into your wardrobe! or a scarf works just as well.

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  16. I couldn't agree more. I'm hooked on leopard prints too. I managed to nab a pair of Repetto flats in leopard print and was beyond thrilled.

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