THE RULES: Wild Animals
Mary Fellowes • 10/08/2016
Photo: Who What Wear
THE DEBRIEF:
Fashion tends to toy with animals regularly. Any seasonal style zoo might have a monochrome splash of zebra here or a slithery snake there, but the leopard’s call is the loudest, time and again. As a motif, it says many things simultaneously—rocker chick, dangerous dame, femme fatale, wild child. In bygone times, 'nice girls' wouldn’t dare sport it, and nor would 'nice boys' take a leopard clad girl home. Luckily for us, these days it is resolutely mainstream, and a myriad of designers have incorporated it into everything from swimwear and stilettos to outerwear and intimates. One the easiest ways to come off as playful and bold, leopard translates into every wardrobe function (perhaps apart from the strictest boardrooms).
Fashion tends to toy with animals regularly. Any seasonal style zoo might have a monochrome splash of zebra here or a slithery snake there, but the leopard’s call is the loudest, time and again. As a motif, it says many things simultaneously—rocker chick, dangerous dame, femme fatale, wild child. In bygone times, 'nice girls' wouldn’t dare sport it, and nor would 'nice boys' take a leopard clad girl home. Luckily for us, these days it is resolutely mainstream, and a myriad of designers have incorporated it into everything from swimwear and stilettos to outerwear and intimates. One the easiest ways to come off as playful and bold, leopard translates into every wardrobe function (perhaps apart from the strictest boardrooms).
STYLE NOTES: To stray from the clichés, avoid items that scream—leopard is not okay as shiny skinny pants, it is not okay as a cutaway swimsuit, it is not okay as a clingy jersey, and it is not okay as a mini skirt (unless you are still in your teens and pairing it with plimsolls). Keep away from anything too sexy, as the print does the talking already. Instead, keep the cut or overall feel of the piece more conservative and look for as much structure as possible. Search for leopard as a tailored pant, a chunky bag, a linear pump, an A-line skirt, a stiff cotton blouse, or boxy outerwear. Separates are often easier—mix them in with subtle color (or black as long as it’s not shiny), and make sure to avoid red and fuchsia. Crisp white cotton shirting or sporty stripes are perfect add-ons—that boyish or athletic touch always balances out the risqué call of the wild. As for leopard shoes, you cannot have enough of them—oxfords, pumps, sandals, boots—anything and everything as leopard footwear will perk up any ensemble.
BEAUTY NOTES: If leopard is worn near the face as a dress or top, go for red lips for evening only. Avoid smokey eyes. Overall, the more innocence, freshness, and simplicity you can channel in the face, the softer things will look. If leopard is just worn as an accessory, there are no rules—go to town and paint it (and your lips) a devilish red.