12 Leopard-Print Accessories That Scream "Timeless" Instead of "Tacky"

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

I can't believe I'm saying this, but the mid-2010s are back. No, it's not just because Kylie Jenner dyed her hair pink and whiplashed us all into remembering her King Kylie era; Leopard print has been sneakily making its way across my Pinterest board, TikTok feed, and now, my closet.

This isn't your mother's leopard print clothing era though — no need to pull out your lightly-dusted, silk midi skirts that catapulted this print back into stardom in 2015 and 2016. Instead, all of the It girls are opting to show their leopard print love by way of pony hair shoes and carefully curated shoes that scream "timeless" and not "tacky."

With the rise of the mob-wife aesthetic and over-the-top, gaudy, and flashy '80s and '90s references, leopard print feels like the one trend cycle that has somehow escaped eye-rolls within our office. While in Paris, fashion editor Jasmine inquired about a leopard-print Jacquemus bag she'd been eyeing. Over the holidays, I picked up yet another pair of leopard-printed ballet flats, much to the dismay of my millennial sister who "didn't get it."

If you're looking to embrace controversy in a cool, It girl-approved way this year, look no further than adding a leopard print piece or two to your wardrobe. Pre-game the animal print by incorporating a printed bag or pony hair shoes into your outfit before going full-on Carmela Soprano with leopard print jeans, coats, and dresses. Trust me, you won't want to miss this comeback.

Shop leopard-print accessories

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Fully committed:
(Image credit: @emnitta)

How to wear: Opt for a fun, leopard print coat to steal the show.

Shop more leopard print items:

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(Image credit: @balencianas)

How to style: opt for a leopard print mini dress under a timeless car coat and burgundy-colored tights for a subtle, yet fun pop of color.

Assistant Shopping Editor
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.

Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)