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Style & beauty

Leopard print

(106 Posts)
Lucyloo12 Tue 17-Mar-26 17:26:25

Is it just me.... I see the latest trend of leopard print and other animal print everywhere, and I hate it. It just looks cheap and tacky unless it is on an actual animal. Maybe one item,but most I see are dressed head to foot in it. Does anyone know how to make it look classy and sophisticated or am I missing the point?

Witzend Wed 18-Mar-26 14:56:17

TBH I only really like a leopard pattern on leopards.

But then I only like orange on oranges, too. (Or clementines etc.)

Nurseundercover Wed 18-Mar-26 14:59:41

I personally have never liked any animal print clothing or accessories as they belong on the animals where they look beautiful.
I do understand that some people do like it and therefore respect their choice. It’s great that we all have our different tastes and choices.
However I do not agree with people wearing genuine animal fur as a statement piece. Although again I do understand people in the Nordic regions wearing hide and fur to keep warm.

Paperbackwriter Wed 18-Mar-26 15:05:27

Leopard print will always be utterly tarty and common. That's probably why I rather like it!

mabon2 Wed 18-Mar-26 15:07:39

I hate it, never worn it, but once as frock for my part in a drama for our local drama competition.

Stella14 Wed 18-Mar-26 15:38:20

It only looks cheap and tacky if it’s a tacky garment, made in cheap fabric 🙄 I think you mean “it’s not to my taste” 🤷‍♀️

MammaTJ Wed 18-Mar-26 16:33:27

I have pretty much head to toe leopard print on today and that's not unusual for me. I love it.

I get that you don't like it and that's fine too. I would never even attempt to persuade you otherwise.

Just at 58 years old, I dress very much to please myself, not anybody else.

DamaskRose Wed 18-Mar-26 16:39:42

Stella14

It only looks cheap and tacky if it’s a tacky garment, made in cheap fabric 🙄 I think you mean “it’s not to my taste” 🤷‍♀️

Exactly this Stella. Wear what you like ladies and enjoy it!

Elrel Wed 18-Mar-26 17:02:39

As far as I can recall I have had animal prints only twice in my life. This thread has reminded me of a full length grey nylon ‘snake skin’ nighty from BHS around 1970. A weekend conference in Paris, a black tie ball at the Paris Hilton. Does anyone remember the magazine ads ‘I dreamt I………. In my Maidenform Bra’? I can’t remember the exact wording.
I now can scarcely believe I danced at the Paris Hilton in my BHS nighty but I DID!

V3ra Wed 18-Mar-26 17:28:56

I now can scarcely believe I danced at the Paris Hilton in my BHS nighty but I DID!

Wow Elrel you go girl! 😍

I have a couple of silky leopard print scarves, one with touches of blue, that really lift a black coat.

I also have a lightweight leopard print coat, a very small print, that I ordered not expecting to like really as it's not my usual style, but I do 🙂

I did have a lovely comfortable leopard print dressing gown, but unfortunately I lost it in a house fire. I've bought two different dressing gowns since, not leopard, but they're just not the same 😔

friendlygingercat Wed 18-Mar-26 17:33:45

Whenever I get any mid century accessories in my Ebay shop they last about 2 days. Very popular with Americans. Same with rhinestone tiaras and necklaces.

Graceless Wed 18-Mar-26 17:56:37

Today I am wearing my leopard skin print pyjamas - I call them my bette lynch outfit. They are over 20years old and came from Next.
The only problem is that they're incredibly warm. I'm currently lying on top of the bed! No radiator on.
Leopard skin print is fun. It bears no relation to real leopard skin IMO.

Frenchgalinspain Wed 18-Mar-26 18:09:12

dogsmother

Each to his own!
Some people can ooze class and dignity with very little effort and others will never be able to carry it off whatever they choose to wear or whatever the price of the garment either.

Dog´s Mother;

Definitely in agreement with you.

petra Wed 18-Mar-26 18:15:58

I wear my silk leopard print scarf with my lbd.
Together with a medium heel stiletto.
I also love a leopard print loafer.

fancyflowers Wed 18-Mar-26 18:38:24

Wow, judgemental much?

Nothing wrong with a bit of old fashioned snobbery!

thegeema Wed 18-Mar-26 18:53:15

I also have a gorgeous matte silk leopardskin scarf...and a vintage reversible black/leopardskin coat from the 1950s that is astounding. Its too big fot my daughter sadly, so looking for someone to pass it on to!!

NotSpaghetti Wed 18-Mar-26 20:06:54

Ooh, I love a nice leopard print loafer!
grin

valdavi Wed 18-Mar-26 20:28:56

All my life I've avoided leopard print, not particularly that it looked tacky, I just disliked it.
Then a year ago I bought a long midi skirt in a flowing leopard print fabric, which I love & have had compliments on whenever I wear it. I just have to be a bit careful choosing tops & accessories to wear with it.
I thought it was going out of fashion lately, so I'm pleased that the OP says it's everywhere!

knspol Wed 18-Mar-26 20:31:24

Always thought it looked cheap and tacky and yet so many people seem to wear it so what do I know?!

LOUISA1523 Wed 18-Mar-26 23:11:18

Gran22boys

It makes people look common. It’s tasteless.

What's common then? .... in your opinion?

BlueBelle Thu 19-Mar-26 00:01:21

I don’t like animal prints they look much better onthe animal I don’t think I ve ever worn anything with any animal prints on it Not for me

Purplepixie Thu 19-Mar-26 00:51:16

Who cares? There are worse things in the world to worry about. I’m in my leopard print pyjamas right now! Night night. X

NotSpaghetti Thu 19-Mar-26 07:11:46

I'm not sure it's all over the place... it was on many many catwalks in 2024 though..

I think it was mainly the spring one?

Frenchgalinspain Thu 19-Mar-26 07:28:18

I like a furry leopard scarf with a black turtleneck, black leggings, black boots and a black leather jacket.

Cool and smart ..

No, I do not like excessive prints including animal prints.

Chocolatelovinggran Thu 19-Mar-26 07:38:06

My leopard print scarf makes me smile when I wear it, which is reason enough for me.
Otherwise, my wardrobe is pretty boring...

LucyAnna5 Thu 19-Mar-26 07:40:33

dogsmother

Each to his own!
Some people can ooze class and dignity with very little effort and others will never be able to carry it off whatever they choose to wear or whatever the price of the garment either.

I think this is very true. But also, not everyone is aiming for “class and dignity” in their clothing. I can’t imagine anyone would aim to look cheap and tacky, but sometimes we dress for fun - so a colourful (or animal print) hat or scarf adds interest and fun to, say, a black coat.