The fashion world has a long history of loving leopard print, with designers and stars alike having championed it for many decades. Over the years, we’ve seen leopard take on a coquettish flair, thanks to Jackie Kennedy’s 1960s styling, and then embrace a more rock ’n roll edge with the likes of Debbie Harry. Leopard print’s versatility makes it something of a sartorial chameleon, prompting some people in the industry to declare it a “neutral”.
In more recent fashion history – 2019, to be precise – we saw New York City experience a leopard-print skirt summer. What began with a popular satin style from Réalisation Par, eventually turned into a tsunami of leopard midis. The ubiquity of the style rubbed some the wrong way – I, for one, vowed to retire my leopard skirt for good – but, as with many declared-obsolete fashion trends, fast-forward five years and the style somehow feels fresh again.
On recent runways, the leopard skirt made a quiet comeback, seen as a matching leopard set at Prada and Celine and as a voluminous maxi at Oscar de la Renta. I may not be ready to bring out my satin midi quite yet, but clearly there are plenty of new ways to wear the leopard skirt this summer and into autumn. Check out our guide on how to style it, below.
Vogue’s favourite leopard print skirts
Leopard on leopard
Pair a leopard set with a simple tee, preppy loafers, and scrunched white socks for a rockabilly-chic aesthetic.
Tone it down
Lean into Toteme’s minimalist take on leopard print by adding a simple white tank and polishing off with sleek, black accessories.
Girlish glamour
Pair Alaïa’s leopard mini with girlish extras, like a soft sweater set, T-strap kitten heels, and a pair of cat-eye frames.
Earth animal
Massimo Dutti’s maxi will play well with more low-key pieces like an oversized sweater, quilted leather bag, and flat sandals.
Leopard academy
Preppy extras take the pow out of leopard print. Pair a miniskirt with stripes, pearls, and sporty sandals.
More is more
Channel a Copenhagen street styler by mixing a leopard maxi with sneakers, a voluminous top and, of course, a hair bow.
