5 Ways to Add Leopard to Your Outfit

Women seldom feel neutral about animal print. They either love or loathe it. It’s one of those prints that can take center stage or be a supporting player in your outfit. I often use it as a neutral and today I’m showing you 5 ways to add leopard to your outfits.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing Leopard shoes from Rothy with Parker Smith Black Jeans and Talbots white shirt
leopard flatsjacket similarwhite shirtblack jeans c/o

The leopard loafer, smoking slipper or ballet flat is so expected it almost passes for a classic these days. They’re the easiest way to wear leopard in a tone that is less than flattering for your complexion. IĀ paired these with black jeans, a classic white shirt, and a drapey cotton jacket in cool-tonedĀ olive. These loafers are my first pair of Rothy’s and won’t be the last. They’re very comfy, machine washable, available in tons of colors and styles and made from recycled plastic bottles! How’s that for eco-friendly?

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing leopard belt from J.Crew, Black jean jacket from anthropologie and white shirt from Talbots
leopard beltwhite shirt jeansbooties similar jean jacket similar

This leopard belt is also too warm toned for my coloring but works away from my face.Ā It’s a great width to wear with jeans. The belt loops on jeans are usually around 2″ so skinny belts can look off balance. The waist length jean jacket draws attention to the belt and its hair texture adds to its visibility. Because the belt divides my body into halves, I chose black boots with a very small heel to elongate my legs.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing black cashmere and jeans with animal print handbag
sweater similarjeansboots similarbag similar

This bag is technically a zebra print but gives the same effect. I kept everything neutralĀ in a column of black so the bag pops. You can also carry a leopard or animal print bag with any color clothes and mix them with other patterns.Ā Stripes and leopard are a favorite because the patterns compliment each other. This is a vintage Kate Spade bag I purchased when it was new and use sparingly now so it will be around for many more years.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing leopard ruana, ivory sweater from Everlane with nude flats and jeans
leopard wrap not available – v-neck sweaterjeans similarshoes

This amount of leopard stands out on its own. Rather than styling it with classic black, I toned everything down to pale neutrals which are trending this spring. The gloomier the weather, the more I want lighter shades.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life wearing leopard booties, gray slacks, and leopard necklace to show 5 ways to wear leopard
jacket c/o v-neck sweaterbooties 50% off pants similarnecklace similar

There’s just a peek of leopard bootie here which helps balance the pattern in my jacket. The necklace is not technically a leopard print but the engraving looks similar so ties in with the booties. Funny as it seems I just noticed that Lucy and I are wearing similar colors:)

Do you think about the placement of leopard in your outfits?

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

 

 

 

 

32 Comments

  1. I found Rothy’s to be too narrow. Really liked the style though.

  2. You look fabulous in all these outfits. Like you I love to wear animal print. At present I am on the look out for a great animal print bag. However, I have to say that I do love the jackets you are wearing and I am especially taken by the black and white, it is a stunner.

    1. Animal print bags are very easy to incorporate into your look.

  3. Eleonore Zanette says:

    All of the outfits look great on you Jennifer. Thank you for all of the ideas on how to pair animal prints.

  4. I don’t want to add animal print, but I’d be happy to add a real animal to my photos. Lucy is adorable.

  5. I agree that it is important to pay attention to the background color in what you out next to your face. I once wore the orange-toned animal prints in tops and scarves, but with my hair graying that no longer works. Gray toned backgrounds are better now. Belts and footwear in that orangey shade is okay, away from my face and hair. I am hunting for short leopard print boots but think I have missed the season with my size no longer available in the styles I like. Next fall I will look again!

    1. If you know the brand, style and size you can often hunt it down. Iā€™ve gotten pretty good at that and the benefit now is they should be on sale!! Just type it all into google (itā€™s called a long tail search) Let me know if it helps.

  6. All your outfits look great! I love leopard but hardly ever wear it. I do have a pair of leopard flats and also a leopard cardigan. I’m not really sure it’s the best print for me, but after seeing your post I think I’m going to try to add my two pieces into my wardrobe more often. I really like that belt but sadly I don’t do belts. I’m very short-waisted with a “little bit of tummy” so belts are not my friend!!! You wear it well though!

    1. I prefer cool toned leopard but donā€™t find it as often. I prefer wearing the warm versions away from my face. Try using yours as a neutral in accessories.

  7. I like a touch of leopard in a belt or scarf. Iā€™ve bought tops but never wore them. They are in donate pile. I like it on other women, but for some reason not myself.

    1. It just may be too much for you so now that you know you can avoid those purchases. Have you tried wearing the top with a cardigan or jacket that covers a large portion of whatā€™s visible. Perhaps youā€™ll like the top that way.

  8. I’m a big fan of animal prints and appreciate the tips especially the belt/boots tip and the leopard wrap paired with a lighter colour. I hadn’t thought of these! Pinning!

  9. all good looks! is that a Cairn Terrier?

    1. Lucy is a Norwich Terrier and the sweetest girl. We adore her.

  10. Lezlie Davis says:

    These are great ideas. I just bought my first pair of leather loafers and a leather belt. Perfect post … just in time.

  11. I have always loved animal prints especially leopard – you look great and gave me some new ideas too.

  12. Beth Allgood-Justice says:

    I wish there was a way for the Pinterest square not to show up on your pictures. This time it fully blocked out the leopard belt picture and I couldn’t figure out how to move it over. I think it’s very irritating everytime but this time it totally covered what you were trying to demonstrate. ; ) Love your ideas of how to wear animal print in ways they aren’t over powering. I really loved those flats! I would wear any of these.

    1. Thanks for telling me Beth. I moved the Pinterest button to the top left corner:)

  13. Those colors look just as lovely on you as they do on Lucy šŸ™‚

  14. LOVE these looks! Rothys are soooo comfy!

  15. I love wearing animal print. I believe it gives you oomph! Thae colours go with my coloring. Jennifer you look great in all your pics. Thanks for the tips!

    1. I agree it does add oomph which many outfits can benefit from. Thanks.

  16. Very attractive! It was good to see Lucy. How is her health?

    1. Sheā€™s doing very well, thanks for asking Jill. She just turned 14

  17. You look sensational in all if these outfits…wow! I like a pop of animal print, that’s just me!
    You look great no matter what you wear…….

    1. Thanks so much Paulette. We finally got a sunny day to take some pictures!

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