What Makes Good or Bad Leopard Print?
- Becky Goddard
- Oct 21, 2016
- 2 min read
I love leopard print, for fashion and on occasions for interiors. It is fun and fashionable and actually goes with more clothes than you think, not quite neutral but almost. I would describe it as sexier than a ditsy floral print and more interesting than stripes. I am clearly not alone with my leopard print obsession; Teresa May, Britain's current Prime Minister has leopard print shoes, the media went into a bit of an unnecessary frenzy over it. Before May, First lady and influencer Jackie Kennedy wore it in the 1960's. Kate Moss has worn many leopard print items for years and at the moment there is a lot leopard print on the catwalk, and of course many other trendy model/celebrity types can't get enough of it.
A brief history of my leopard print items; first there was my flat ballet pumps that I wore until they fell to pieces, a pair of tights (they were a mistake), next there was a leopard print shirt from Mango that I was assured by my Mother was 'tasteful leopard print' not 'slutty old Eastender's barmaid leopard print' (please excuse the blatant snobbery), a skinny belt, a pair of black boots with a panel of leopard print, then my most recent leopard print purchase a jumper from Gap. ...So the crux of this is, I believe there is good and bad styles of leopard print, is it snobbery or just me being very selective with good attention to detail?
Hush Drew leopard print dress Autumn/Winter 2016 (via Hush website)
My leopard print specifications may seem ambiguous and hypocritical but here goes:
-Colour is key, and black and white doesn't really work that well.
-The leopard print pattern should contain 3 colours, short cuts with 2 colours can look cheap.
-Scale of print vs size of garment is important, on a shirt the print should be smaller than the scale on a big coat.
-Overly exaggerated texture doesn't work.
-There is such thing as good faded 'vintagey' leopard print and bad over washed looking leopard print, for some the difference maybe hard to distinguish.
-If it is too orangey it looks cheap, brownie orange, but not bright fiery orange.
-Not too much black.
-Simplified leopard print can be very hit or miss, the majority of the time I would say miss.
-An over the top fur collar or big trim is too much, the leopard print pattern is already enough of a statement!
-Only one piece of leopard print clothing/accessories worn at a time, forget matching shoes or a belt. Just one piece and let it sing.
-NEVER real fur.
-Using alternative colours such as shades of red/burgandy can work really well ... or look awful.
Vintage real fur from the archives at the MOMA New York
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