A soft spot for Leopard!

I've long had a soft spot for leopard print! A pair of leopard pyjamas as a teenager and I was sold! 

Ok I don't want to wear it head to toe but I'm thrilled to see that it re-appears almost every Fall in some guise or other. 

Leopard has become a classic, such an accepted neutral that it will work in your wardrobe for years to come. Not only in clothes, but in every kind of accessory to perk up your wardrobe collection whatever your color palette.

If your print personality doesn't pull you towards florals, then an animal print may appeal. Safe to say that, not only leopard print, but varieties of zebra, giraffe, cheetah etc. have hit the high street with a vengeance this year.  And they never fails to raise a smile! 

There can be a distinct color difference...

Even though I've got a soft spot for leopard I've always been instinctively fussy about the tones I choose. 

An over abundance of browns and yellow tones have never appealed to me even though it was years before I realised it's because my coloring is Cool.

There are all sorts of variations on a theme for Leopard print but you might be surprised to know that you can actually choose a print that leans towards Warm or one that leans towards Cool. And they will flatter your complexion accordingly! 

If you're not sure whether your own coloring is Warm or Cool, take a quick look!

Warm or Cool?

If your skin tone is COOL, then prints that include the coolest taupes, light beige, greys and black are likely to be far more appealing to you, and will be far more flattering toyour complexion. They will also happily fit with the neutrals from your palette.

If your skin tone is WARM, however, it's likely that you will be drawn to a spot of leopard with more yellowy tones and gingery browns. All of which will fit more harmoniously and perfectly complement your Warm neutral palette. 

If you've got a soft spot for leopard or, in fact, any animal print then take a look above at how the different fabrics and prints influence the clarity. 

The softer prints and colors towards the middle of the image will be easier to wear for someone with gentle coloring while the brighter prints towards the outside of the image will appeal to those with higher contrast.

The golden rules of Leopard! 

• Wear just one item at a time, don't overdo it! 

• Make sure you wear the print rather than the print wears you!

• Team your print with any neutral color in the print.

• Team your leopard print with a solid color not a print. 

• If you identify your leopard as a Warm tone, then yellow, orange, warm reds will work to team. 

• If you identify your print as a Cool tone, then cobalt blue, emerald green, cool red will work to team. 

• Leopard print will always work with denim. 

Have you got a soft spot for Leopard?

Leopard skin does come with a bit of a reputation of course and my husband is not a fan! He still thinks it's associated with brassy barmaids!

However, now that we've had a ladylike Prime Minister sporting leopard print shoes, it's obviously come of age and can be said to have taken on far more of a sedate role!

Be upfront or team with separates...

If you don't want to wear too much leopard, play it down a little by teaming separates with your own neutrals.  

And if you're worried that an animal print won't look classy, then take a look at some of our upmarket designers who love to include some different variations on the leopard theme.   

Or just add a subtle touch...

Add just a touch of animal print with an accessory - it might be snakeskin, zebra, giraffe or pony skin. They all add a touch of fun and liven up the most boring neutral.

Nothing 'in your face' but an accessory you'll use with so many different outfits. And fun on the beach always! It just won't go out of style!