Polished Animal Prints: All Things Leopard

I’ve never really been an animal prints girl myself. I have a cousin that rocks it all the time and she always just looks so cool, chic and it truly seems part of her big, beautiful personality. I do love a good animal print, don’t get me wrong. But if I do wear it, it’s in small doses like a pair of leopard print sneakers or a python print handbag (usually from one of my favorite Michigan-based handbag designers, B.May Bags. Check her out!! This is not a paid endorsement; I just really REALLY love her stuff.)

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

RELATED: Wearing Houndstooth: The Classic Pattern Is Back

But lately, with leopard (and python) prints trending this fall and winter, I’m a little more apt to get bolder with the pieces I want to incorporate into my wardrobe this season. Life, and our world, seems a little crazy lately so why not bring in a bit of whimsy to make things feel a little less… serious. I think the difference between wearing these prints in the past vs. now, is to treat them more like a neutral than one big statement piece. It doesn’t have to scream from the rooftops but rather, blend into your overall outfit in a more subtle way.

Overall, I feel like leopard print never completely goes away. It just gets quieter for a few years and then suddenly, there it is again. And this fall, it is definitely having a moment. Thankfully, this doesn’t feel like a return to the very loud animal prints of years past. The versions I’m seeing now are much easier to wear. Think leopard loafers with jeans and a brown sweater or a leopard bag that makes an all-black look considerably more interesting.

RELATED: The Suede Bags I’d Buy This Fall: From Under $50 to Splurge-Worthy

Animal prints work so well in fall when we’re already wearing so much camel, chocolate brown, black, cream and denim. The trick, at least for me, is keeping everything around it fairly simple. One good animal-print piece is usually enough. But heck, if you’re feeling crazy feel free to mix and match things like leopard print and stripes. It’s definitely doable!

Leopard Print for Fall

Of any animal print, leopard is likely my favorite. It can be worn in a number of ways and I have a leopard print wool coat from Banana Republic that I’ve been rocking for the last four or give years. If I’m ever feeling “meh” about my outfit, as soon as I throw on that coat, I instantly feel a little more pulled together. With leopard, you can play around with it a bit more than you can for python. It’s easier to work in a pair of leopardy corduroy pants or a leopard blazer and still have it look a bit more neutral. Here are some of my favorites right now.

Leopard Print Pants

Leopard pants are definitely more of a commitment, but I’ve seen some really good versions this fall. The key, in my opinion, is letting the pants be the interesting part of the outfit. Pair them with a simple black or cream sweater, a white button-down or even a basic tee and jacket. A relaxed or straight-leg silhouette also makes leopard print pants feel much more current. I’m seeing a TON of barrel pants in general, and lots of good barrel pant options in leopard print.

RELATED: What To Wear Instead Of Leggings This Fall: 8 Comfy Alternatives

Leopard Print Tops & Blouses

A leopard print top is probably one of the easiest ways to bring the trend into your closet because you really don’t have to do much else. I like them best with pieces I’d normally wear anyway: jeans, black pants, a simple skirt or layered underneath a jacket. Look for prints in warmer browns, camel and black if you want something that feels a little more classic and less like a novelty print.

Leopard Print Sweaters and Sweatshirts

This might be the most comfortable way to wear leopard print this fall. A leopard sweater with jeans is easy enough for everyday, while a sweatshirt gives the print a much more casual feel. I personally prefer versions where the leopard pattern is a little softer or more tonal rather than extremely high contrast. It makes them surprisingly easy to mix into a fall wardrobe. I had a sweater I wore to death last fall and winter that had actual leopards on it and I got so many compliments. Sadly, it’s out of stock otherwise I would have linked it.

RELATED: Our Favorite Modern & Trendy Fall Ponchos For Women

Leopard Animal Print Coats and Jackets

If you’re going to go bold with leopard, a jacket or coat is a pretty great way to do it. I especially love leopard outerwear over an otherwise very simple outfit. Jeans, a black sweater and loafers suddenly look completely different with a leopard jacket thrown over them. I tend to look for a slightly muted print and a classic silhouette so the coat still feels wearable several years from now. My favorite is the Free People Denim Duster listed below.

RELATED: Funnel Neck Jackets Are Everywhere This Fall: Here’s How to Wear One

Leopard Print Accessories and Shoes

If you’re not ready for leopard pants or a full leopard coat, start here. Shoes, belts and scarves are probably the easiest way to experiment with animal print without feeling like the print is wearing you. Leopard loafers or ballet flats can work almost like a neutral with denim, black, camel, olive and even burgundy. It’s also an easy way to make a very basic outfit feel a little more intentional.

Leopard Animal Print Bags

A leopard bag is one of those pieces that can make an otherwise simple outfit much more interesting. I particularly like them with solid colors and classic fall textures like denim, suede, wool and leather. And because leopard already incorporates several neutral shades, it works with far more than you might initially think. I’d keep the rest of the outfit fairly quiet and let the bag do the work.

RELATED: Popular Crossbody Bags That Are Actually Worth Carrying Everyday

How to Wear Leopard Print This Fall

The thing I like about leopard print is that you really don’t have to reinvent your wardrobe to wear it. In fact, I think it looks best when you don’t try too hard. A leopard jacket over jeans and a sweater. Leopard loafers with black pants. A printed bag with an otherwise very simple outfit. Those are the combinations that feel the most wearable to me.

And while leopard is having another big moment this fall, I’ve never really considered it a trend that completely disappears. The pieces change and the way we style them changes, but leopard always seems to find its way back around. If you’re adding it to your closet this season, I’d start with something you’ll actually wear with clothes you already own. For me, that usually means shoes, a bag or a great sweater. Keep everything else fairly simple and let the print be the interesting part. Sometimes that’s really all an outfit needs.

OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

The Loafers I Would Actually Wear This Fall

Elevated Tailgate Outfits For Women

My Favorite Birkenstock Clog and Loafer Dupes

What To Wear To A Fall Wedding: The Best Wedding Guest Dresses For Women Over 40

Stylish Fall Boots That Actually Fit Wide Calves

Disclaimer: The Betty Edit, LLC is a participant in the ShopMy affiliate program and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you purchase something through the links above, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I’m a former digital marketer turned stay-at-home mom looking to make a few extra bucks for coffee runs and new books. I only recommend products I genuinely like, use, or come recommended by trusted friends. Thank you for supporting me!