5 Ways To Wear Animal Print

Prevalent on this season’s runways, the real beauty of animal print is its status as a style perennial: these classic motifs are as relevant now as they were a decade ago – and will be in a decade’s time. This, of course, makes animal-print pieces an excellent investment. Here, we round up five ways to wear the enduring style.

By day, leopard print and denim are a match made in sartorial heaven, and, styled wisely, will segue neatly into evening. Stella McCartney’s beautiful leopard-print recycled-shell trench coat from our NET SUSTAIN edit is a case in point, delivering real wow factor. Straight from the FW24 runway, this style is a true investment piece. By day, pair it with Allude’s wool and cashmere-blend knit, also part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted designs, and Frame’s ‘The Ruler’ slim-leg jeans. Then, after dark, wrap the elegant coat over an LBD.

A classic, neutral leopard-print is the perfect partner for tailored separates. Take Stella McCartney’s blouse, for example, which is cut from satin and has an easy, oversized shape. Wear it with tailored wide-leg pants – Wardrobe.NYC’s wool style from the label’s collaboration with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a sleek example you’ll wear on repeat. Beautiful leather is a natural partner for classic animal-print motifs, so layer an enveloping trench coat, such as Nour Hammour’s ‘Valetta’, on top. The perfect finish? Loewe’s ‘Pebble’ bag in tan leather.

After dark, animal print is a classic choice, delivering the sort of effortless elegance that you’ll reach for time and time again. Build your night-time look around Isabel Marant’s snake-print ‘Octavia’ mini dress. The ruched bodice and ruffled hem make it special enough for evening, especially when paired with Lié Studio’s gleaming ‘Sonya’ earrings, Chloé’s elegant ‘Bracelet’ bag and a pair of slingback kitten heels – slip on Aeyde’s classic ‘Saba’ buckled design and you’ll be ready for anything.

Your fast track to instant chic? Pick a palette and stick with it. When it comes to leopard print, that means selecting similar neutral hues to pair with the motif – think beige, camel, chocolate; classic seasonal colors. Chloé's leopard-print wide-leg pants are a great place to start. Add Jil Sander’s cashmere and cotton-blend sweater, the perfect balance of elegant and cozy, as the weather turns cooler, then finish with leather accessories – Emme Parsons’ ‘Danielle’ glossy croc-effect loafers and Toteme’s belted leather tote are timeless choices.

The easiest way to wear animal print is via your accessories. Carefully chosen pieces add something extra to pared-back daytime looks, and amp up evening attire. In terms of footwear, slip into Gianvito Rossi’s leopard-print velvet mules to lift tailoring, denim and evening dresses alike. Or opt for Staud’s ‘Wally’ ankle boots – the style also happens to tick this season’s ankle-boots trend. Elsewhere, try Valentino Garavani’s ‘9TO5’ tiger-print calf-hair bag, which pairs particularly well with neutral tones.

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