Trend Report: Leopard Coats
As the weather requires more and more layers to stay cozy, we find our favorite trendsetters reaching for one particular pattern to keep them looking haute: leopard. Though we have spotted this print on a variety of different outfit-enhancing accent pieces this fall (like shoes and scarves), it seems as though the fitted feline coat has snowballed into the most weather-appropriate way to rock leopard this winter. Whether you want to snuggle up next to a vintage cropped style à la Lily Donaldson or make a bold statement like Kate Moss in a longer furry find, we can promise you that when it comes to this season's outstanding outerwear, the leopard coat is undeniably the cat's meow!
Though the fall runways brought us a parade of leopard looks (see Barbara Bui and Isabel Marant for reference), we were pleasantly surprised to find that today's fab-four were dressed to the nines in vintage selections. Our quartet also all kept the rest of their outfits simple, either wearing solid neutral colors in slim silhouettes or combining their coats with bare legs. These clothing choices are smart for one key reason: such simplicity allows the attention-grabbing print to take center stage. Additionally, each style star made sure her outerwear erred on the short side, as should you. No matter how cute the coat or cold the day, floor-grazing leopard jackets are simply not an option for anyone. Trust us: too much of a good thing is not a smart sartorial solution!
First up, Mary-Kate Olsen rocked a Pierre Cardin treasure when attending a Tim Burton tribute at the Museum of Modern Art in New York last month, proving that there are countless ways to update a refined yet retro design (red lips and red Fendi heels certainly amp up the glam quotient!). Model Lily Donaldson also opted for a more cropped style, which she grounded with a posh and plunging black dress and opaque tights to celebrate the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York. Of course, you don't need to keep it short and sweet to indulge in a little leopard love. Kate Moss, for one, paired her mid-thigh vintage fur with a LBD, pointy heels, and super long stems to grab a bite in London early last month, while MTV's Alexa Chung also showed off her lithe and leggy frame with a longer leopard coat at an Emmy gala this November.
Now that you know how these fashion plates are putting themselves together with these purr-fect picks, let us delight you with the cream of the cat-inspired crop. If you want a shorter style that hits at the waist, you can't beat Pencey's High Collar Coat ($380) or byCORPUS' Chubby Jacket ($168). Both options are easy on the eyes, and you don't have to sacrifice your Saturdays searching high-and-low at your local thrift shop to procure them! Of course, for those in need of a little more coverage and length, we've got a dynamic duo that will fit the bill. Try Aqua's Leopard-Print Faux Fur Jacket ($188) or Topshop's Leopard Print Faux Fur Coat ($190), which are both economical, effortlessly chic, and perfect for anyone who's on the prowl for this winter's most in-demand outerwear option!