Anyone who considers themselves to know even the slightest thing about fashion wants to be seen in the leopard print trend this summer. Forget the florals, stripes & polka dots of the past. This summer it’s all about heating up your fierceness! But why does every cool girl want to get their claws on something spotted this season?
First of all, leopard print symbolizes everything from power to seduction. Have you ever tried walking into the office in a leopard print suit? Or slipping into a silky leopard print slip before your man gets home? The feeling you get from both are undeniably fabulous. And perhaps that’s another reason why this trend is so coveted: the confidence it gives you. (Also, you’ll need a lot of confidence to perfectly pull off a leopard look.)
There’s no denying that the leopard print trend is prowling its way from the wild into the concrete jungle at cheetah speed.
Of course, seeing celebs like Lady Gaga ferociously rock the leopard print trend, helps set the tone. Even if you have a unique personal style all on your own, seeing celebs in something fierce can make you also want to wear it. After all, they’re the original influencers.
Beyonce recently wore leopard print during the On The Run Part 2 tour. Romee Strijd and Kylie Jenner both donned leopard print bikinis this year. And Elsa Hosk—well, she’s definitely on board with the leopard print trend all year ’round. Giovanna Battaglia, Caroline Vreeland and Kate Moss are high fashion style mavens who are obsessed with leopard print too.
Also, it apparently has a Kardashian stamp of approval (if that means anything to you):
“Leopard print has been my thing forever! When I was a teenager my entire room was done in leopard print—it’s timeless, chic and always in style. When in doubt… leopard!”—Khloe Kardashian
Furthermore, leopard print is steeped in a sophisticated, sultry & sassy history. However, the last century is when it really took off—most notably this season. The hottest selling skirt of the year so far is a leopard print midi from Australian brand Réalisation Par, and bloggers all over the world are snapping selfies in summer leopard. (Myself included, duh.)
Leopard print can make you feel sexy, casual, outrageous, laid-back—sometimes, all at once. Its power is endless.
That being said, Christian Dior once stated that “if you are fair and sweet, don’t wear it.” I think that anyone can sport spots if they want to, you just have to have the right mindset. If you’re going to wear something that lets people know you’ve arrived without having to say a word, then make sure you own it.
Last but not least, high fashion has taken notice. Lily Aldridge was spotted wearing a leopard print top in last month’s issue of Porter Magazine. There was an editorial featuring leopard, snake and zebra prints in Vogue US last month too! (It was appropriately titled Call of the Wild.) Then again, high fashion has been obsessed with leopard prints for a while. But still, if Anna Wintour says yes, then the answer is yes!
If you’re looking for a short, sweet summer romance with prints, you’ll definitely want to invest in leopard. But there’s a good chance you’ll be wearing your printed pieces for many seasons to come. After all, it’s a safe bet that this is one wild cat with more than nine lives to live.
