Leopard Print Is Back & Better Than Ever—Here’s How to Wear It in 2024

Even in small doses, leopard print makes a big impression, so don’t be afraid to just cut to the chase with a bold statement piece. A leopard jacket or coat can be layered over any other wardrobe basic (jeans, shirtdresses, cozy knits, you name it) to transform your outfit from fine to fabulous. That said, lightweight designs, like trench coats, denim, canvas or cotton designs will give you much more versatility than faux fur, so keep that in mind before you buy.

A pop of leopard at your toes is a no-brainer way to add this trendy print to any outfit, but it is especially cool right now to rock a leopard sneaker. This is an instance in which it’s best to treat the beige-and-black spots like a neutral and simply tack them on to any outfit, regardless of any other colors or patterns it might feature. (P.S. Feel free to swap sneakers for ballet flats or boots if they’re more your style—your ensemble will still fit right in with the trend.)

If you’ve managed to make it this far into 2024 without wondering if you, too, should purchase those Damson Madder leopard print jeans, then I am truly impressed. Those pants, and every brand’s take on leopard denim, are everywhere I look, but for very good reason. In the same way that regular jeans are incredibly versatile, easy to style and comfortable to wear, leopard jeans check all the same boxes, especially if you choose a straight- or loose-leg silhouette. Dress them up with a silk blouse or cami, or down with a tank top, tee or sweater—the world is your leopard spotted oyster.

A leopard spotted minidress can be fun for summer or drinks out with friends, but for a more autumnal, everyday look I think longer lengths are far more chic. Look for something that hits somewhere between the top of your knee and your ankle for a more seasonably-appropriate silhouette. As for how to style it, I love a cozy button-up cardigan or tailored blazer, but you could also try a cropped barn coat, a lightweight trench or a denim chore coat to keep those elevated-casual vibes going.

I love a monochromatic outfit, but for darker colors it can sometimes feel tough to not just feel like a blob lost in all that black, gray or navy. This is where a bold leopard accessory comes in handy (literally). Adding a leopard tote, crossbody, headband, sneakers or even socks creates a bright point of interest to pull your whole look into focus, all while embracing one of the best trends of the year.

Leopard print can often feel preppy, posh or glamourous, even, but if you’d rather tone down those vibes you can pair it with a much more casual or utilitarian piece. For instance, a leopard top and cargo pants are a match made in heaven, as are a leopard blazer and loose-leg jeans. As for accessories, I prefer to keep mine simple to allow those animal spots to really steal the spotlight.

If you’re feeling unsure about how to mix multiple prints or patterns into one outfit, there is a simple way to get the same vibe without nearly as much effort: pairing one print with notably textured fabric. For example, the outfit pictured above has only one print, her leopard bag, but the yellow lace dress gives the impression of a second thanks to its obvious texture. You could also do this with tweed, ribbed knits, fringe, cableknit or sequins, really any material that has a visible feel to it.

A super-simple, yet totally timeless, outfit idea is to wear a pair of leopard-print pants with a black top, black shoes and black handbag for a supremely chic going-out look. The specific details are really up to you. Up top you might prefer a slinky bodysuit, sheer button-up or knit shell. For the shoes you can go classic with some pointy-toe pumps or funky with some chunky loafers. And your handbag could be a sleek leather clutch, a chain-strap crossbody or a luxurious suede shoulder bag. All those elements are just the supporting cast for the main star—your leopard spotted trousers.

Snakeskin is another timeless animal-inspired print, but zebra and cow prints have also been growing in popularity in the past year. The key to wearing more than one animal print at once is to choose variations that incorporate the same colors. So if you want to complement your black-and-white cow print bag with some big cat spots, you should look for a black-and-white leopard print or at least one that features a much paler beige (it doesn’t need to be an exact match). I also find this works best if you stick with more causal or classic silhouettes—a pleated midi skirt, a draped cardigan, a sleek tote, an easy T-shirt, etc.