Leopard print has had a wild ride through fashion — once the epitome of chic and glamour, it was later tagged as a major faux pas. But what caused the rollercoaster and was this fall from grace even fair? Fast forward to today, and leopard print is back on track. Wonder why it is making a comeback and how to wear it without looking like you have escaped from the jungle? Let’s take a dive and find out how to embrace those rosettes with style!

Leopard is a powerful predator, so back in the day royalty and the wealthy wore the actual skin of this wild cat as a symbol of power and strength. 

The dominant pattern wasn’t available to the wider audience until the 20th century when fabric manufacturing stepped up and introduced pattern printing. From now on there was no need for hunting, so leopard print became accessible and, what is more crucial, ethical. 

It wasn’t long before designers, celebrities, and influencers of the time put leopard print on a fashion pedestal. Visionaries like Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Yves Saint Laurent actively incorporated it into their collections, while style icons such as Jackie Kennedy, Marylyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Sophie Loren frequently made public appearances wearing it, cementing rosette pattern as a symbol of glamor, elegance, and sophistication. 

Later, brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Diane von Furstenberg embraced leopard print, making it a part of their DNA. What could have gone wrong?

The tables have turned in the 1990s and early 2000s. Leopard print was now referred to not as graceful and chic, but rather cheap and trashy.

What caused the shift was partially overexposure: the print got heavily commercialized by the fast-fashion brands and became less seen in high-end collections, which built new associations. 

The excessive visibility in pop culture and certain celebrities flaunting it in less-than-elegant ways, also didn’t help and reinforced negative connotations. Add the establishment of stereotypes and the circular nature of fashion, and you’ll get a print labeled as a synonym of bad taste.  

Nevertheless, leopard print managed to swim out of the waters of forgetfulness — thanks to nostalgia and a general cultural shift. 

Today’s fashion landscape is more diverse than it has ever been, which opens the doors for all possible ways of self-expression — including the ones featuring wild animal patterns. 

The modern leopard print is just as diverse: it can be luxurious, playful, or funky and do any fashion trick you want it to do. However, while styling the animal pattern, give it a contemporary twist and try to avoid past pitfalls. Here are some tips on how to do it. 

To pursue an elegant look, skip overly tight or sexualized outfits.

Instead of going full-leopard, strike a balance and mix the print with solid colors and casual pieces.

Use it as accents — for example, shoes or handbags.

Experiment with fabrics and patterns: go for muted prints or those with an artistic painted effect.

Fashion is all about self-expression, so be yourself and don’t forget to have fun!