How to Wear Leopard Without Changing Your Spots
Kate Moss wears a Burberry leopard coat in London.
Moss has made the leopard coat one of her eternal style staples — and she’s in good company.
The Leopard print coat: Punk Princess Edition
There’s a reason an Edie Sedgwick-style leopard coat comes with every punk girl’s starter pack, along with ripped tights and Manic Panic lipstick: It has an Old Hollywood glamour that’s coolest worn with a snarl. Channel your inner riot grrrl (or Saint Laurent model) by pairing yours with a baby doll mini dress and glitter Docs.
Mango Leopard Faux Fur Coat, $150, mango.com
Rebecca Minkoff Rock Dress, $348, rebeccaminkoff.com
Established Double Lip Ring, $1,610, establishedjewelry.com
Dr.Martens 1460 Antique Suede in Gold, $350, drmartens.com
The Leopard print coat: Fashion Girl Edition
Fashion girls know that the only thing better than one statement-making print, is two piled on top of each other. The key to making them work together is switching up the colorways: Peeking out under Saint Laurent’s swingy cape, the Miu Miu blouse reads more like a cool, abstract pattern than leopard overload.
Saint Laurent Leopard Print Cape, $13,000, farfetch.com
Miu Miu Ruffled Leopard-Print Cotton Faille Blouse, $1,185, net-a-porter.com
Vetements Slim-Fit Vintage Wash Cropped Jeans, $1,060, matchesfashion.com
Altuzarra Ghianda Bullrope Small Saddle Bag, $2,995, barneys.com
Maryam Nassir Zadeh Penelope Mule in Mint Suede, $391, mnzstore.com
The Leopard print coat: Girl Boss Edition
Let no one tell you leopard can’t be worn in the office. Swap a basic black blazer for something a little fiercer — as long as the rest of your outfit is covered up and by-the-book, you won’t hear so much as a meow from HR.
Altuzarra Merrie Lace-Up Leopard-Print Blazer, $2,335, matchesfashion.com
Mango Flowy Shirt, $40, mango.com
H&M Wrap-Front Skirt, $25, hm.com
Alexander McQueen Cage Croc-effect Leather Tote, $2,995, net-a-porter.com
Aquazzura Matilde Elaphe Pumps, $695, net-a-porter.com
The Leopard print coat: Weekend Warrior Edition
To wear on the weekend, mellow out your spots by keeping the color palette cool gray, the shape cocoon-like, and the rest of the outfit as easy as rolling out of bed at noon and hitting brunch.
Stella McCartney Leopard Coat, $2,020, farfetch.com
Uniqlo x Lemaire Cashmere Rib Turtleneck, $130, uniqlo.com
H&M Kick Flare Regular Jeans, $40, hm.com
Everlane The Petra Magazine, #325, everlane.com
Axel Arigato Slip-On Sneaker, $195, axelarigato.com
The Leopard print coat: Vintage Queen Edition
Vintage girls will always love a leopard coat — fully embrace its throwback appeal in a high-neck maxi dress and a clunky oxford. It’s a look we think Lynn Yeager would approve of.
Free People Faux Fur Leopard Print Coat, $130, freepeople.com
Zara Sheer Dress, $100, zara.com
Rochas Embellished Lurex Brocade Shoes, $1,050, luisaviaroma.com
Zara Fringed Messenger Bag, $70, zara.com
This weekend, Kate Moss stepped out in London in a Burberry leopard coat — one of her style staples, along with black skinny jeans and a Marb Light. Thousands of miles away, this author was trolling New York’s vintage stores on the hunt for the perfect ‘60s specimen. Hedi Slimane sent leopard coats down his Saint Laurent runway in Paris last week, like he does every season. We’d say there’s something in the air, but really, there’s just something about a leopard coat that makes it an eternally cool cold-weather staple for a certain kind of girl.
Command of animal prints connotes coolness, confidence, and, of course, a feline sex appeal (there’s a reason the print’s a staple for #GoddessStatus women like Carine and Cookie). And, contrary to popular opinion, leopard doesn’t just lend itself to vintage looks. To prove it, we rounded up 5 killer, non-grandma ways to wear the eternally chic spots.
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