Accessory Report: Leopard Accents
Every season, there are a handful of prints on the prowl, but for autumn, trendsetters are pouncing on one in particular: leopard. While animal-influenced patterns are nothing new—after all, everyone from Carole Lombard to Kate Moss has worn the classic spots—we're quite enamored with the way modern style-stars are working them into their wardrobes.
Though many of the fall runways showed super-bold or head-to-toe leopard looks (see Blumarine for example), we like the way fashion frontrunners are only wearing a single accent piece. Sometimes that item is emphatic and makes the whole outfit, such as the vintage leopard-print dress Agyness Deyn wore while attending the Alexander Wang after-party a few weeks ago. The newly raven-haired model wore the frock unbuttoned over a distressed white t-shirt and black pants, and further tempered the eye-catching print by wearing a cropped moto jacket over everything. By sticking to black and white everywhere else, she both spotlights and tones down the leopard and modernizes it. While Deyn's exact piece is difficult to duplicate, we think you could achieve a similar vibe by adding Yarnz's Leopard Scarf
($165) to an otherwise neutral outfit.
Of course, not everyone will be in the mood to commit to such a large accent, but that doesn't mean you can't try the trend! Instead, you can take a cue from Misha Barton who worked today's topic into her outfit subtly. Instead of reaching for a blouse or body-con dress, the actress instead chose What Goes Around Comes Around's Vintage Leather Moto Jacket ($598) with leopard accents at the collar for a night out during New York Fashion Week. Barton found her one-of-a-kind piece at the amazing Manhattan outpost of What Goes Around Comes Around, which gives us hope that we'll find a similar style at our local vintage boutiques.
But perhaps the easiest—and best—way to wear leopard accents is via accessories, à la Rihanna and former GOTM Caroline Sieber. The always fashion-forward songstress pushed the directional envelope just a few days ago when she was spotted at the airport in Berlin wearing a gray bold-shoulder Marc Jacobs Sweatshirt Dress
($1100) and a cute pair of Christian Louboutin Miss Clichy Boots
($1375). Stylist Caroline Sieber also opted for a hint of the print recently when she carried Roger Vivier's Heart Attack Bag ($1595, 310.550.5900) in Pony to a cocktail party during New York Fashion Week. We love the way the bag pops against her Louis Vuitton Bow Knit Top ($1048, 866.884.8866) and Contrast Layers Skirt ($2247, 866.884.8866); it brings a hint of savage chic to her feminine outfit. If you'd like a few accessories in the animal print, we have suggestions. Shoe-wise, you might like Betsey Johnson's
Carlos Booties
($200), or you can try Rachel Comey's Medium Buckle Belt ($265) or J.Crew's Skinny Cheetah Calf-Hair Belt
($55) for a touch of leopard in your look. (Yes, the latter is technically not leopard, but it's close and cute!) Also check out Urban Outfitters' Leopard Risky Business ($14), which are totally darling and bebe's Veronica Platform Pumps ($149) for some additional budget-friendly additions.
On A Side Note
As you might have heard, we're in Chicago! The amazing Cynthia Rowley is graciously hosting a book-signing event for us TONIGHT at her Bucktown boutique and we promise it will be much fun. Bring your copy of Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life or pick up one at the store, either way, we hope you come by and say hello!
Chicago Book Signing
Thursday, October 1st from 6-8 p.m.
Cynthia Rowley
1653 North Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773.276.9209
Photo of Agyness Deyn, Getty; Photo of Mischa Barton, Splash; Photo of Rihanna, WENN.
Though many of the fall runways showed super-bold or head-to-toe leopard looks (see Blumarine for example), we like the way fashion frontrunners are only wearing a single accent piece. Sometimes that item is emphatic and makes the whole outfit, such as the vintage leopard-print dress Agyness Deyn wore while attending the Alexander Wang after-party a few weeks ago. The newly raven-haired model wore the frock unbuttoned over a distressed white t-shirt and black pants, and further tempered the eye-catching print by wearing a cropped moto jacket over everything. By sticking to black and white everywhere else, she both spotlights and tones down the leopard and modernizes it. While Deyn's exact piece is difficult to duplicate, we think you could achieve a similar vibe by adding Yarnz's Leopard Scarf
Of course, not everyone will be in the mood to commit to such a large accent, but that doesn't mean you can't try the trend! Instead, you can take a cue from Misha Barton who worked today's topic into her outfit subtly. Instead of reaching for a blouse or body-con dress, the actress instead chose What Goes Around Comes Around's Vintage Leather Moto Jacket ($598) with leopard accents at the collar for a night out during New York Fashion Week. Barton found her one-of-a-kind piece at the amazing Manhattan outpost of What Goes Around Comes Around, which gives us hope that we'll find a similar style at our local vintage boutiques.
But perhaps the easiest—and best—way to wear leopard accents is via accessories, à la Rihanna and former GOTM Caroline Sieber. The always fashion-forward songstress pushed the directional envelope just a few days ago when she was spotted at the airport in Berlin wearing a gray bold-shoulder Marc Jacobs Sweatshirt Dress
On A Side Note
As you might have heard, we're in Chicago! The amazing Cynthia Rowley is graciously hosting a book-signing event for us TONIGHT at her Bucktown boutique and we promise it will be much fun. Bring your copy of Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life or pick up one at the store, either way, we hope you come by and say hello!
Chicago Book Signing
Thursday, October 1st from 6-8 p.m.
Cynthia Rowley
1653 North Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773.276.9209
Photo of Agyness Deyn, Getty; Photo of Mischa Barton, Splash; Photo of Rihanna, WENN.
ahha mischa looks like a poser. cool uk flag, way to fit the poser stereotype. this fashion trend is really stupid. you can't try and rock a punk look if you are not a punk because you look like an ass.
Posted by: natalie | 2009-10-14 10:55:26
Great post! It is true that leopard is the queen of animal prints and a classic! Animal prints can be tacky only if they are not put together properly. They are great accents! And many times a dress or a coat can be stunning. It all depends. Thank you!
Posted by: animal print ga | 2009-10-04 22:00:12
I love Rhianna's Booties!
Posted by: lianna | 2009-10-01 19:39:00
wish i could be in chicago tonight to see you guys!! the sartorialist, aka scott schuman, just did a whole shoot about leopard. lots and lots of leopard. http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
Posted by: nicole | 2009-10-01 18:31:12
OH MY GOD MY DREAM POST! lovvvvvvve. xx http://alwaysrememberonething.blogspot.com/
Posted by: hannah | 2009-10-01 17:08:00
Yuck, these outfits are all tacky to me!
Posted by: Kimmy | 2009-10-01 17:00:04
i recently did a post on my leopard booties from NM.. check out our blog: lekisskiss.blogspot.com
Posted by: Francesca | 2009-10-01 15:02:25
I like just a small accessory in animal print usually -- like a clutch. But for my birthday this year, I went with an entirely leopard-printed dress and loved the attention I got in it! Some of them might have been staring because it was so bold, but who cares?!? I felt sexy! :)
Posted by: KeriL | 2009-10-01 14:48:55
what's wrong with aggynes' hair!?? http://iloveilovefashion.blogspot.com
Posted by: love-love | 2009-10-01 14:44:32
Deyn and RiRi switched hair colours haha. To the girl who said Rihanna looks costumey, do you know who Lady Gaga is?
Posted by: Patriciao | 2009-10-01 14:41:41
I LOVE WEARING LEOPARD, BUT THOSE LOOKINGS ARE OVER THE TOP. ISN'T IT?? FASHION NEWS, NEW TRENDS @ http://MAISONCHAPLIN.BLOGSPOT.COM
Posted by: MAISON CHAPLIN | 2009-10-01 13:21:54
striking shoes in this post(espec Sieber's), but everything knee-up is a total eyesore.
Posted by: 5ruecambon | 2009-10-01 11:23:28
i love what goes around comes around they really do have some of the best finds in the city i'm there at least twice a month. noirblancetrougepartout.blogspot.com x
Posted by: s | 2009-10-01 09:53:19
Thanks for spotlighting this- I love love LOVE the leopard trend- Did you know the spots are called "rosettes"? I gravitate towards solid colors, but I've noticed a lot of every day women wearing animal print accessories or one animal print piece in real life for several months & when done right, it's sensational. Speaking of sensational, THIS is my FAVORITE EVER totally unique leopard print piece- A leopardskin cameo cuff in sterling silver from Amberjewelry.com- seriously, HOW COOL IS THIS BRACELET?! http://www.amberjewelry.com/Leopardskin-Amber-Cameo-Cuff-p/998321.htm Verrrrrrry cool. It's the cat's maiow. :D
Posted by: mineola | 2009-10-01 09:52:46
I need a leopard scarf and leopard booties!!!!!! Emilie from http://whatshappeninginmyfashionworld.blogspot.com/
Posted by: EMILIE | 2009-10-01 09:39:41
love a little splash of leopard, gives the outfit a edgy and wild feel to it. Kwil
Posted by: Kwil | 2009-10-01 09:34:00
Rhianna looks costumey. Halloween is at the end of October, not September.
Posted by: Taylor | 2009-10-01 09:17:13
I think we've stumbled upon a post where every last example is a hot, hot mess. The only one who comes close to looking presentably is Rihanna, and she needs to lose the goofy hat.
Posted by: MEP | 2009-10-01 09:05:42
I actually find this print the tackiest trend. When I see this all I think of are big haired cougars on a night out lol or Peg Bundy haha http://crty.tv/standout
Posted by: Patti | 2009-10-01 08:58:34
Leopard print is an amazing way to improve bad days...love it!! http://seeyouinoxfordstreet.blogspot.com
Posted by: stjarna | 2009-10-01 08:54:36
I love the leopard accents, I did a post about it the other day: lekisskiss.blogspot.com
Posted by: Valerie | 2009-10-01 08:20:29
I love mischa's jacket, but she should have paired it with something else. I like Rihanna's dress and shoes. Agyness looks very weird.
Posted by: TNN | 2009-10-01 07:56:02