Every generation imagines it has reinvented the wheel when it comes to fashion trends – rebelling against the styles and silhouettes of their forebears and striking out on their own. The TikTok generation, however, seems to be experiencing this cycle on speed, with every month bringing a new aesthetic to the fore. Take “Clean Girl”, an “I just woke up like this, but actually spent two hours doing my make-up” vibe, which has since transmogrified into “Mob Wife”, a grittily glamorous figure, all dark sunglasses, faux fur coats, artfully hoisted cleavage, and anything and everything leopard print.
But, as Vogue’s fashion writer Daniel Rodgers points out, the Mob Wife look has been circulating in the fashion sphere for decades, with “femme fatale leopard print” the most consistently crowd-pleasing element. Long before Gen-Zers were taking to TikTok to give their best Carmela Soprano, Naomi Campbell was wearing head-to-toe leopard print in Alaïa’s autumn/winter 1991 show; rock goddess Debbie Harry was striking a pose in a leopard-print jumpsuit; and Kate Moss was dodging paparazzi in drainpipe jeans and a leopard coat. We can’t forget Joan Collins, who has made the maximalist print her wardrobe MVP. While its cultural associations may have fluctuated over time – from silver screen starlet to “tacky” to It-girl and back again – it has remained a constant in fashion’s collective consciousness.
“Leopard print has been worn by icons like Kate Moss, Anita Pallenberg, Blondie, and one of my all time favourites, Kurt Cobain,” says Amy Bannerman, eBay’s preloved style director. “While some think of leopard as a bold print, I see it more as a neutral staple. A simple outfit with the perfect leopard coat will make you look like the coolest person in any setting. I am very specific on the print and fabric: I like the fabric to be smooth and flat, rather than that fluffy kind of fake fur. I also always size up, the bigger the better for layering and nonchalant chicness,“ she adds. “I promise you, a leopard coat is a wardrobe game-changer.”
Many of us will already have leopard-print pieces sitting in our wardrobes, so it’s all about reworking these classic styles for the new season – which doesn’t have to mean buying something new. Our leopard-print styling tips for 2024? We love the throwback vibes of Kate Moss’s ’90s leopard-print looks, which are centred on a single pop of print paired with more pared-back separates, such as a neutral crew-neck knit and tailored trousers, or straight-leg jeans. “I always dress leopard print pieces down because I don’t like looking too ‘done’,” Amy explains. “I will be wearing mine with men’s suit trousers, Prada loafers and a men’s sweater. All preloved, of course.”
Of course, the Mob Wife approach demands a little more drama. We’re talking form-fitted leopard-print dresses (very Dolce), enveloping leopard coats draped over the shoulders, and plenty of doubling (or even tripling) up on print – a leopard-print shoe or bag is an easy way to do this. And don’t forget: secondhand is one of the best ways to shop this look: eBay, Etsy and Rokit all have great options right now. All hail the timeless appeal of leopard print.
Shop Vogue’s leopard-print looks
Vintage
Nylon Raincoat In Leopard Print Lilli Ann Circa 1970s
£742
1stdibs
COS
The Clean Cut T-Shirt
£30
Cos
Arket
Wool Blend Twill Trousers
£97
Arket
The Row Half-Moon Shoulder Bag
£1,025
Matches
Vintage
Christian Dior by John Galliano Gold Lace And Leopard Print Silk Dress, FW 2000
£7,250
1stdibs
Gucci
Vintage Gucci Tom Ford 1955 GG Horsebit Shoulder Clutch Chain Bag
£1,380
Ebay
Mango
Bow Heel Sandals
£72
Mango
Vintage
Alpha Industries Bomber Jacket
£115
Rokit
LOULOU STUDIO
Oversized Double-Breasted Wool Coat
£455
Net-a-Porter
Raey
Watercolour Leopard Lace-Trimmed Silk Slip Dress
£695 £278
Matches
Adidas X Wales Bonner
Samba Sneakers
£160
Harvey Nichols
M&S
Pure Cashmere Roll-Neck Jumper
£95
M&S
& Other Stories
Topstitched Leather Jacket
£429
& Other Stories
Alaia Leopard-Print Crossover Calf-Hair Flats
£750
Matches
Arket
Willow Loose Jeans
£97
Arket
Vince
V-Neck Brushed-Texture Wool-Blend Jumper
£320 £160
The Outnet
Raey
Lace And Leopard Print Silk Slip Shirt
£695
matchesfashion
Bottega Veneta Dome Gold-Plated Drop Earrings
£630
Matches
New Balance
9060 Trainers
£160
New Balance
Agolde
Low Slung Baggy Cotton-Corduroy Wide-Leg Pants
£310
Net-a-Porter
With Nothing Underneath
The Dress Shirt
£150
With Nothing Underneath
Raey
Exaggerated Shoulder Wool-Blend Tux Coat
£995
Matches
The Row
Suede Loafers
£1,210
Ssense
GANNI
Betzy Leopard-Print Cropped Jeans
£195
matchesfashion