The New Rules for Wearing Leopard

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Although it's an evergreen wardrobe staple, leopard is having a major comeback right now. Get ready to purr because fall cat power is at its best. Never worn it? Don't worry – we'll tell you how!

Leopard has been worn for decades and decades by powerful personalities from the Marchesa Luisa Casati to Bianca Jagger to Anna Dello Russo. This seaon, the spectacular spotted pieces can work for us all – if we know how to wear them. And so, without further ado, here are the new rules for wearing leopard:

1. Bring the print into your collection through accessories. The spotted heels, boots, bags and coats are especially swoon-worthy this season making it the perfect time to buy. Try adding spice to any outfit with Sergio Rossi's leopard-accented red peep-toe pumps, or a healthy dose of lady-like luxe with Celine's spotted box bag – a must-have this season, seen below.

2. Treat leopard as a neutral. Start wearing it with the pieces you usually pair with only black, camel, ivory or olive green. It might not work every time, but you'll begin to understand the versatility of the print. Begin with a pair of leopard Lanvin flats and see how easily they become one of your style staples.

3. Be bold! Those spots stand out for a reason, so don't try to hide them. Pair your spots with scarlet red (Fall 2010's biggest color) for big nights out on the town (maybe for Fashion's Night Out?) or go with a body-con dress like the one by Torn by Ronny Kobo now available for pre-order at Intermix.

4. Mix it up! Serious fashionistas will want to pair the print with other prints from ikat to polka-dot, as well as mix it up with materials from lace to leather. Leopard is a serious mixing agent so have fun with it – especially on girls' nights out!

And although we love love love the leopard pieces from YSL, Sergio Rossi, Dolce Gabbana, Celine and Alexander McQueen (um, did you see that gorgeous coat pictured above?), H&M has some really great pieces in stores now. I bought a sheer leopard-print button-down blouse the other day that easily rivals Roberto Cavalli's for just $29 and I plan to wear it out completely this fall.

Another great place to shop for leopard? Vintage stores. It is so true: What goes around, comes around again.

Are you planning on wearing leopard this fall?

1 Comment

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  BlondeBetty • almost 2 years ago
  these are awesome tips! I ADORE those sergio rossi heels... LUST.

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