leopard print - classic or vulgar?

[Spike413]

I've been obsessed with leopard for myself lately. I've always liked leopard, sometimes I like it more than others, but for the last year or so I've been slowly adding more and more to my wardrobe. Hell if I know why, but the glamour/tacky quotient is just working for me at the moment.

 

[fashionista-ta]

You remind me that I haven't 'always' worn animal print, which is kinda how I think of it now. I think the first thing I bought was some ocelot print shoes, and it went from there. I believe this was after I'd stopped wearing other kinds of prints (like florals--I was a big fan starting when I was in college). Interesting ...

Oh, there were those cow print capris before that Not leopard ... but never have I gotten my money's worth out of a piece of clothing like I did with those! Constant amusement. An absolute siren song to certain ethnicities of men, the serious envy of all at Billy Bob's, enough to entice groups of people to turn en masse to stare in Denver ... I've never owned anything else like them.

 

[Benn98]

Oh, there were those cow print capris before that Not leopard ... but never have I gotten my money's worth out of a piece of clothing like I did with those! Constant amusement. An absolute siren song to certain ethnicities of men, the serious envy of all at Billy Bob's, enough to entice groups of people to turn en masse to stare in Denver ... I've never owned anything else like them.

Oh my God!! Thanks for the laugh. A woman in a cow-print capris, that's a joke practically writing itself. Though to be quite honest, cow print in moderation actually isn't a bad idea. Much like Dalmation print, or any of Glenn Close's outfits in that movie, it can end up looking pretty chic. I do think on a capris it's probably not such a good idea.

 

[Phuel]

I’m sure we’ll see cow print in the next Vetements offering… cos it’s so ironic.

Animal-print is much tougher for men to pull of without either coming across as a swish, high rentboy— or their handlers— or their johns… or a spawn of Carson Kressley. Unless that’s your aim, of course. Just not mine.

In the end, even the chicest, most refined luxurious leopard-print anything is not going to work if it’s on the cast of Jersey Shore. That’s the whole point: Anything-- even the cheapest design and print, can potentially look amazing on a genuinely stylish individual, but on the cheap ones, everything will look cheap.

 

[Street_a_Licious]

i actually just got my first piece in leopard print. it's the leopard Jimmy Choo clutch for H&M, but not the regular suede version that arrived in stores, but the production sample made of leopard print ponyskin.

polyvore

 

[Spike413]

^ That's pretty much a staple.

My first leopard addition was a pair of Dolce & Gabbana black on black leopard print calf hair sneakers from a sample sale a couple of years ago. Between those and seeing touches of leopard in Saint Laurent's menswear offerings the floodgates were opened.

I'm a bit obsessed with some of the leopard pieces that Dries did for summer. They're almost like a parody of that high-roller/Liberace by the pool sort of look, and even though on paper that sounds like an absolute nightmare it works in person. I think the trick with any animal print is to sort of embrace its inherent flashiness or tackiness or whichever adjective you'd give it, rather than trying to work against it. It's one of those things that you really have to own.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I am all about owning it

 

[Melisande]

I used to hate leopard print so much, but I never really thought about why I disliked it, just one of those things that are bothersome but you can't be bothered to figure out what it is. It was over 2 years ago when I concluded that I hated leopard print, and just like that, as with most things or people I strongly dislike, I was attracted .. so I got into it, starting with some huge furry leopard coat (go hard or go home lol).. which I still wear. I'm constantly surprised by how controversial it is.. I wonder if it's the size, the fact that it's leopard print or faux fur, or all of the above. Even in Berlin (or maybe because it was Berlin?.. tough one) people would just keep their eyes fixed on it, not a look of disapproval or attraction, just blank, like "why.." . maybe because anything that celebrates excess (haha) is frowned upon, hard to know. I wore it again recently in California, to do groceries, and the guy at the register was like "wow, I like your pimp jacket". It's a bit funny, I can't imagine wearing that seriously as an attempt to look sensual or something along the lines, but should anyone wonder if there's a clothing equivalent of "Careless Whisper" out there..

Fantastically fascinating; love you, C
"warum...?"
Just went and listened to Careless Whisper again, loool!

Phuel:
Yeah my cousin wears a vintage real leopard coat from the 1960's too. As much as I am vexed by the idea, I admit it is a thing of beauty and elegance. She wears it in a casual but classic way with pearls and black turtleneck and black slacks and boots and her Celine bag.

 

[Phuel]

^^^ Glad you’re back, Melisande!

You know, at this point in my life, I’m secured enough to now what works for me, and even what may not work for me, but like Spike mentioned, make it work in some unexpected way. I loathe the GQ-types that think wearing traditional bespoke uniforms— just in bright colors, makes them stylish. It doesn’t. And they’re dime-a-dozen.

I’m no Hedi 16yo male-waif in an indie rock band, so as much as I’m attracted to his ideal of that type within the context of high fashion, no way would I wear anything of his— even back in his Dior Homme days, as the way he’s proposed. So as much as I’m attracted to leopard-print, I don’t think it suits me for now— within the context of my professional life.

Which brings me to the point that I think environment also has a lot to do with contributing to owning a look. Last summer I was in the running for a top role at a high profile publication and copping a Dries or Burberry leopard-print trench would have been natural in such an environment. But now that that opportunity is no longer a reality, and I need to drive to the suburbs a couple of times a week as part of my job to meet with the very conservative handlers of a certain car brand for, I can’t imagine such flashiness would be appropriate— no matter how much I may own it. It’s like seeing those 14-yo Goth kids hang out at their local mall in the suburbs: It just doesn’t work.

 

[Melisande]

Thanks Phuel.

You bring up some very interesting points.
Re the leopard trench: Could it be that the outfit is perfect for you, and the environment isn't?

 

[fashionista-ta]

^^ Leopard is no doubt more 'out there' for a man than for a woman. I have animal print things I wear to work, and those I don't, but the former pieces I wear differently. I have a deep-V snow leopard tunic sweater ... I wear it to work with a silk blouse underneath, and on my own time, by itself. I think the grey tones are probably more appropriate/easier to style for work than the golden brown ones ...

What I imagine you could get away with is abstract animal print socks in dark grey tones, for example ...

 

[Melisande]

Yes, very true re men vs women. And also regarding snow leopard. That sweater sounds lovely ta-ta.

I can imagine a stylish gentleman discreetly wearing leopard print shoes or a little silk kerchief (is that even the term?) peeking out of a beautiful tailored jacket, even in more traditional-ish circles.

 

[Phuel]

Re the leopard trench: Could it be that the outfit is perfect for you, and the environment isn't?

That’s the goal of most of us here, isn’t it, Melisande? To be able to build a successful career around being able to wear our fav designer frocks LOL

Not a fan of “statement socks” on men, ladies. Same with “statement underwear” and “status tie”: You’re not daring, stylish nor an individual to me cos you wear colorful socks, underwear, hankie or tie… Go hard-- or go home, and all that.

 

[vetements]

^ That's pretty much a staple.

My first leopard addition was a pair of Dolce & Gabbana black on black leopard print calf hair sneakers from a sample sale a couple of years ago. Between those and seeing touches of leopard in Saint Laurent's menswear offerings the floodgates were opened.

I'm a bit obsessed with some of the leopard pieces that Dries did for summer. They're almost like a parody of that high-roller/Liberace by the pool sort of look, and even though on paper that sounds like an absolute nightmare it works in person. I think the trick with any animal print is to sort of embrace its inherent flashiness or tackiness or whichever adjective you'd give it, rather than trying to work against it. It's one of those things that you really have to own.

I think leopard prints conjures images of prostitutes, think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and like Benn said above, tie dyed as well lol

I own a Saint Laurent matt black on black silk leopard, its so subtle its really beautiful.
Although I agree its not possible to wear in a professional setting at all for me, no matter how subtle it may be

 

[fashionista-ta]

Leopard definitely isn't what I associate with Pretty Woman ... more thigh-highs is what I think of. Solid blue skirt, solid red dress, brown and ivory polka dots, all those I remember ...

 

[Spike413]

I think leopard prints conjures images of prostitutes, think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, and like Benn said above, tie dyed as well lol

I own a Saint Laurent matt black on black silk leopard, its so subtle its really beautiful.
Although I agree its not possible to wear in a professional setting at all for me, no matter how subtle it may be

I adore the black on black leopard jacquard look you're talking about vetements. It's such a great way to dip your toes into the water of animal prints. Plus, when the light hits it, it looks fantastic.

For me though leopard print has more of a blanket "bad girl" connotation than hookers, specifically. I think of Edie Sedgwick (thanks to, I would imagine, Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat), I think of Liz Taylor, I think of Eartha Kitt, Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson...even women like Debbie Harry, Courtney Love, Gwen Stefani. Obviously it's not just bad girls that wear it and it never has been, but that inherent wildness of it doesn't really lend itself to ingenues lol.

For men I think the connotation is, immediately, rock stars or playboys. I think that's why it's a bit harder for a guy to even want to attempt it, because it definitely lives on the tackier end of the style spectrum as far as menswear goes. But once you get past that it really can look awfully chic on a man, still loud and flashy of course, but in a good way.

 

[AnaD]

I just got my first piece of leopard print ever, it's a double-breasted knee-length Sacai coat with a blue trim. I can't wait to wear it out!

 

[MulletProof]

^ I remember seeing that!.. .. I kind of crushed on this for a while, not sure if it's leopard, tiger, micro cow lol.. but I love the idea of animal print in dark blue, and puffy..

 

[pruyeo]

^^ Leopard is no doubt more 'out there' for a man than for a woman. I have animal print things I wear to work, and those I don't, but the former pieces I wear differently. I have a deep-V snow leopard tunic sweater ... I wear it to work with a silk blouse underneath, and on my own time, by itself. I think the grey tones are probably more appropriate/easier to style for work than the golden brown ones ...

What I imagine you could get away with is abstract animal print socks in dark grey tones, for example ...

I too wear a deep-V snow leopard sweater when I'm in travelling to colder climates. I love to style it with a simple mono-tone skirt and boots to bring out the beauty of the sweater.

 

[BetteT]

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