Why leopard print is this season’s fiercest trend

Whichever way you wear it, big-cant prints have matured into a timeless classic

Walk on the wild side: Dries van Noten Autumn/Winter 2016

From Jean Harlow in the 1930s to modern day muses like Kate Moss, Anna Wintour and Michelle Obama, big-cat style spans the ages.

Once you bypass the Bet Lynch connotations, like wearing a red lip, it looks good with almost anything and is the perfect way to inject your look with a bit of edge.

In the fashion world, leopard has become one of those enduring styles that we never seem to grow weary of. So much so, it’s almost considered a neutral.

Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter 2016

This season, the meow-worthy print has seen a resurgence both on and off the runway with designers like Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Dries van Noten unleashing their wild side.

For many, it was the cosseted coat that took the top spot. Bottega Veneta cut theirs both full-length and cropped with a black leather trim while Moschino and Dries van Noten opted for classic fur.

For Dries, leopard spots adorned almost every piece it could; there were printed wide-leg trousers, two-piece suits, blanket scarves and huge furry cuffs.

Perhaps the most unlikely of appearances came from Dolce & Gabbana where a collection steeped in princess-y fairy-tale fantasies merged with Bengal cats, leopard print peter pan collars and an enveloped shift dress. Somehow though, it worked.

Dries Van Noten Autumn/Winter 2016

If you’re new to the trend, animal print accessories are an easy entry point, so try out a pair of pumps or a chic bag for an unexpected kick to all-black ensembles.

While a leopard-print coat is indeed a big statement, it’s perhaps the most timeless way to approach the look. Go big or go home with an all over print or opt for something with a printed collar for a shortcut to looking extra elegant.