Animal print is no stranger to fashion - it has trended on and off since as early as the 1920's. Divides opinion? I'd say. No one wants to unintentionally channel a Bet Lynch look. However, our animal instinct is having a distinct 'now' moment and I love it. Whilst I own several shoes, bags (cheetah & zebra prints have popped up in my designs over the years), scarves and the odd bit of clothing in the print, since we moved to Singapore, our perpetual climate of 30+ mixed with a highly humid haze, has made it psychologically unappealing to 'wear' much leopard for fear that it would actually make me feel hotter than I already do on any given day. 
But now with so many floaty dresses, skirts and silk tees around with the wildest of prints, I am ready to embrace the trend from top to toe! [Caveat - I am not brave enough to do top-to-toe print like Giovanna Engelbert unashamedly and brilliantly does here].
Instagram is such a fantastic source of inspiration - last week Erica Davies’ (see above) feed popped up with her wearing a lovely pleated, leopard print skirt (frustratingly I cannot find it online at & Other Stories where she'd tagged it was from, so I am not sure if old or new). She'd combined it with a whimsical tee, cardigan, saddle bag & sunnies for an effortless look. Leopard by day - tick.
Another insta-fave, Kat from @doesmybumlook40, has a leopard print bag that she has styled with so many different looks lately, demonstrating exactly how this print can work as a neutral. I love the spotty jumpsuit mixed with printed bag above. Leopard by night - tick.
Leopard looks fantastic with stripes or another pattern - I adore this Rixo London Georgia skirt together with one of their printed shirts. One simple accessory can elevate an outfit from ordinary to interesting like this mint green trousers/white shirt combination here. 
The Felix bag is the latest member of the Elyse & i family. A nifty little camera bag that converts from shoulder to crossbody. It comes in three different colour ways including leopard hairy cow leather mixed with a sand suede to give it year-round appeal. By the far the easiest way to wear leopard is to wear printed accessories - a great black dress or jump suit, sneakers, sunnies and an eye-catching cheetah bag. Shake off your pumps in lieu of some heels, add a fabulous pair of earrings and you’ve transcended into an evening look in a heartbeat.
For this mood-board, I've chosen local designer, The Missing Piece's iconic cut-out, cheonsagm-inspired dress in black cotton. I love how it's demure neck, hemline and sleeves are kicked to touch with the sexy cut-outs.
My latest jewellery crush is Bali's, Monsieur Blonde brand. I own two of their necklaces which I am wearing out with love. These lotus-inspired earrings in gold and black are on my wish-list. Finally, I'm wild (sorry pun absolutely intended) about these Sam Edelman sneakers - a hybrid espadrille-sneak with animal print, perfect for summery sojourns. 
1. Sam Edelman - 'Celina Espadrille Sneakers', $110 US.
2. Monsieur Blonde - 'Petit Storm' earrings, $90 US.
3. Elyse & i - Felix Bag in Leopard, $168 US.
4. The Missing Piece - 'Signature with sleeves', Black $190 SGD.
I hope this kick starts your love of leopard!
Enjoy
Leave a comment