CAROLINE LEAPER IS GOING TO BREAK THE HABIT OF A LIFETIME
Strange admission; I’ve never worn leopard-print before. Perhaps it’s because of the busy-ness of it, perhaps it’s because I’m from Essex and am afraid of inevitable Kat Slater associations. Yet the glossy new season incarnations veer just the right side of Scary Spice and “something animal” is now, against all odds, at the top of my new season shopping list.
In the form of a small tophandle bag, or a sharp shoe, it’s quiet and classic. As soft separates, it’s a refreshing move-on from summer’s wash of ditsy florals.
As an all-over look, it’s borderline Rod Stewart.
Tread carefully.
Do note: I think an expensive-looking leopard print is all about the shape and distribution of the spots.
It needs to be high resolution, not pixelated, on a quality base fabric. Anything washed out and blurry (or hairy) looking, that’s printed on highly flammable material will always look cheap. Also, make wise choices on silhouette; a modest cut will counteract all of the aforementioned negative connotations. Where I’m (really) shopping: The high street has gone big on big cat prints. Whistles has 15 new leopard printed arrivals, & Other Stories has 27, Topshop has 154. You can get it on coats and kaftans, heels and headbands.
A few of my favourite things: Chunky jewellery would be a bit much with this new look, so I’ll need to invest in something finer. Anything from Sophie
Bille Brahe and Georg Jensen’s new collaboration would work a treat.