Why Leopard Print is the Must-Have Trend of 2024-2025
The Evolution of Leopard Print Fashion: A visual journey to inspire modern styling.
By: Most Wanted USA
Leopard print is making a strong comeback as the "It" trend for the autumn/winter 2024 season. This animal-inspired favorite re-emerges every four years, embellishing everything from stylish belts and beachy outfits to jackets and bags. To achieve a contemporary leopard look that's both fashionable and timeless, draw inspiration from its rich history, including coastal elegance and seaside style. As Michael Kors famously stated, leopard is fashion's "outrageous neutral," making it a staple in the industry. Once a symbol of power for early humans, it transformed into a marker of wealth in the opulent 1920s. After being dismissed as tacky, leopard regained its status in the 1940s, becoming a Dior-approved print, embraced by icons like Elizabeth Taylor.
Discover our visual gallery showcasing leopard's evolution and learn how this classic print can elevate your wardrobe this season!
Kate Moss
In 2019, Kate Moss wowed in Paris wearing a mock neck long dress with a striking leopard pattern that sparkled under the lights. The elegant side slits added sultriness, blending sophistication with boldness. Moss transformed leopard print into a high-fashion statement, showcasing its versatility and timeless appeal. Her unforgettable look inspires fashion lovers to embrace daring designs, proving that a statement dress can effortlessly capture attention.
Alexa Chung
In 2017, Alexa Chung epitomized effortless chic in a leopard fur coat with black lapels, styled over casual black pants and a vibrant red top. This look blended high-fashion elements with laid-back style, making a bold yet approachable statement. The leopard coat added glamour to her outfit, showcasing how a standout piece can elevate everyday wear and inspire fashion lovers to incorporate bold prints into their casual wardrobes.
Tia Dewitt
Influencer Tia Dewitt recently wore a chic leopard-print top that balances boldness and elegance. Paired with classic jeans, her look shows how to effortlessly incorporate leopard print into everyday outfits. The key to styling leopard is to combine a standout piece with versatile basics for a polished yet relaxed vibe, making it suitable for any occasion.
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber recently flaunted a chic 40s revival look with a leopard headscarf wrapped around her neck and styled over a classic FILA baseball cap, complemented by dark sunglasses. This effortlessly cool outfit combines casual and chic elements, showcasing how a bold accessory can elevate a simple look. Her ensemble highlights the versatility of leopard print in any wardrobe.
NYC Streetwear
A standout streetwear look from a 2024 runway featured a stylish attendee layering a leopard coat over a classic navy coat, creating bold contrast. Paired with a striped navy and white T-shirt, this outfit exudes a relaxed yet experimental vibe. This approach highlights leopard print as a statement piece that enhances casual looks with sophistication.
Christian Dior Runway
The dark brown leopard coat from Christian Dior's Ready to Wear 2024 Fall Show made a striking impression, showcasing the brand's skill in luxurious fabrics and modern design. Its rich texture highlights the classic leopard print, blending elegance with boldness. With its refined silhouette and intricate details, this coat solidifies leopard print as a high-fashion essential, seamlessly merging timeless patterns with contemporary style for the upcoming season.
Jennifer Anniston
At the 1998 California screening of Kissing A Fool, Jennifer Aniston showcased her chic style with a bold leopard print tote bag. This versatile accessory elevated her relaxed look, embodying the California vibe. Her ensemble inspires today’s fashionistas to embrace statement pieces like leopard prints for added flair.
Carolyn Basette-Kennedy
In a famous 1997 paparazzi photo, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy walks her dog in Tribeca, exuding effortless style. Her chic minimalist outfit is enhanced by a leopard-print coat, blending high fashion with everyday wear. This moment inspires modern fashion enthusiasts to embrace bold prints while maintaining a clean, sophisticated aesthetic.
Cameron Diaz
At the 1996 California premiere of Romeo + Juliet, Cameron Diaz showcased her stylish flair with burgundy trousers and a chic leopard cardigan. Paired with a sleek black patent tote, her outfit blended boldness and sophistication, demonstrating how animal prints can elevate casual looks and inspiring modern fashion enthusiasts.
Givenchy Runway
The 1997 Givenchy Ready-to-Wear Show showcased a stunning leopard trench coat with shoulder pads, embodying late '90s fashion's bold luxury. This piece combined classic elegance with edgy flair, making a powerful statement on the runway. It inspires modern fashion lovers to embrace standout outerwear and the timeless appeal of animal print.
Dolly Cover Model
In 1990, Dolly magazine showcased a model in a leopard mini skirt and V-neck black cardigan, with a pixie cut hairstyle adding a modern touch. This early '90s look blends bold animal prints with minimalist basics, creating a playful yet sophisticated vibe. Today, it shows how pairing statement pieces with timeless garments can create a polished, daring fashion statement.
Cindy Crawford
On the Harper’s Bazaar Fall 1992 cover, Cindy Crawford stunned in a sensual, off-the-shoulder leopard jacket, styled without additional clothing to highlight the bold print. The portrait emphasized her piercing gaze and the luxurious fabric, exuding confidence and timeless elegance. This iconic '90s look shows how a single statement piece, like the leopard jacket, can convey powerful sophistication and elevate portrait photography.
Cindy Crawford
In Cosmopolitan Australia 1993, Cindy Crawford rocked an all-leopard ensemble, featuring high-waisted trousers, ankle boots, and a headband, paired with a black turtleneck and leather belt. This look balances bold leopard prints with sleek black accents, offering a timeless example of how to style head-to-toe leopard with sophistication. It’s a lesson in combining statement pieces with basics for a powerful, coordinated effect.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain's leopard look in the 1998 music video for "That Don't Impress Me Much" inspires modern fashion enthusiasts. Her form-fitting leopard bodysuit showcases confidence in bold patterns while maintaining chic elegance. To replicate this look, integrate leopard accents like a fitted top or statement jacket with classic pieces, balancing daring leopard print with timeless styles for a fierce yet approachable outfit.
Mel B, Scary Spice
Mel B, known as Scary Spice, delivered a standout performance at the 1997 Brit Awards, captivating the audience with her bold leopard-print ensemble, featuring a skin-tight jumpsuit and matching fur coat. This striking look embodied the Spice Girls' flair for dramatic fashion and celebrated the 90s pop culture phenomenon they represented.
Stephanie Seymour
In the early '90s, Stephanie Seymour was seen in New York City carrying a leopard-print tote with a Vogue magazine. This look combined casual city fashion with a touch of luxury, showcasing how a statement accessory can elevate any outfit. The leopard tote added bold sophistication to her ensemble, offering a timeless example of blending animal prints with urban style for a subtle yet striking effect.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell's iconic leopard bikini shoot for Vogue UK in 1996 embodies her bold style and the era's fascination with animal prints. The alluring bikini accentuates her figure and showcases leopard print as a timeless trend, highlighting Campbell's powerful presence and inspiring fashion enthusiasts with its glamorous, daring appeal.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry’s 1978 UK cover art for Blondie’s single "Denis" embodies punk-meets-glam rock, featuring her in a fitted leopard-print dress with platinum blonde hair and smoky eyes. The leopard print blends rebellion with femininity, showcasing how bold makeup and attitude transform an outfit into a cool, statement-making look. This iconic style continues to inspire contemporary fashion, proving leopard print’s timeless edge in modern styling.
Cher
For her 1979 NBC TV special Cher... And Other Fantasies, Cher made a bold style statement in a magnified leopard-print bodysuit. The avant-garde design featured oversized, abstract spots on a tan base, modernizing the classic print. Sprawled on a red couch, Cher showcased leopard print as a high-fashion statement, demonstrating how playing with scale and silhouette creates a daring yet sophisticated look.
Christian Dior Runway
At the 1960 Christian Dior Ready-to-Wear Show, an all-leopard winter collection impressed with luxurious coats, dresses, and accessories, paired with white fur hats. Dior showcased the art of combining prints and textures, demonstrating how coordinated accessories elevate an ensemble. This iconic moment inspires modern styling by balancing bold leopard prints with complementary elements for a sophisticated, statement-making look.
Edward Mann Designed
The 1964 photoshoot showcasing Edward Mann designs featured models in striking leopard dresses, accessorized with hats wrapped around their necks for a caveman-inspired look. This creative styling added playful sophistication to animal prints, encouraging adventurous fashion. For modern style, it inspires incorporating whimsical elements and bold prints, allowing fashion enthusiasts to express individuality with flair.
Marc Bolan
In the early 1970s, Marc Bolan, frontman of T. Rex, embodied glam rock with his flamboyant style, often wearing leopard print outfits paired with glittering accessories and vibrant colors. His bold fashion choices reflected the rebellious spirit of the era. For modern fashion enthusiasts, Bolan’s look inspires embracing bold prints like leopard and combining them with striking silhouettes for a confident, individualistic style that honors rock 'n' roll history.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic 1962 look—leopard coat, matching leopard pumps, and a chic black headscarf—embodied elegance with a touch of boldness. This ensemble highlighted her mastery of mixing prints and textures, with the contrasting headscarf adding balance to the otherwise head-to-toe leopard look. For a modern interpretation, Taylor’s style suggests using a mix of statement prints with neutral accessories to create a polished, harmonious outfit. Her look proves that coordinating prints across pieces, while grounding them with a solid, neutral accessory, can create a sophisticated and unforgettable ensemble.
Marilyn Monroe
In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1954), Marilyn Monroe’s leopard ensemble featured not only a glamorous leopard-trimmed coat but also a matching fur hand muff warmer and a chic hat, creating a cohesive, high-fashion look. These leopard accessories added texture and opulence, enhancing her character’s luxurious allure while keeping the look playful and sophisticated. Monroe’s matching muff and hat demonstrate how coordinated leopard accessories can elevate an outfit, showing that even small, purposeful touches of leopard bring a touch of timeless elegance and make an ensemble feel complete and unforgettable.
Queen Elizabeth
In 1958, Queen Elizabeth II showcased her refined taste with a touch of exotic flair during her visit to Liverpool, donning a classic coat complemented by a luxurious leopard neck fur scarf. This subtle yet striking accessory added a hint of warmth and sophistication to her otherwise understated outfit, blending royal elegance with a daring print. The Queen’s choice of a single leopard accessory illustrates a timeless styling tip: incorporating one focal leopard piece—like a scarf or stole—can elevate a classic look with an element of intrigue and sophistication without overwhelming its refined appeal.
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield embodied 1950s glamour and the era’s pin-up girl obsession in her unforgettable sweetheart-neckline leopard print gown, accentuated by her hourglass figure. Paired with sleek black satin gloves, Mansfield’s look merged sensuality with high-fashion sophistication, showcasing leopard as a print of both allure and elegance. Her styling remains influential today, demonstrating that pairing bold prints like leopard with classic, structured silhouettes and refined accessories can create a powerful, fashion-forward look that balances vintage glamor with timeless style.
Joan Crawford
A Pioneer of Leopard Outfit Awarness - 1928
Joan Crawford made a memorable fashion statement in 1928 with her leopard-accented flapper dress, merging the exotic allure of leopard print with the rebellious spirit of the Roaring Twenties. The dress’s leopard details added an edge to the classic flapper silhouette, giving her look a sense of bold sophistication and modern flair. Crawford’s styling underscores a timeless lesson for contemporary fashion: a touch of leopard, used as an accent, can elevate an outfit from simple to striking, embodying both confidence and elegance without overwhelming the overall look.
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt epitomized feline elegance whenever she wore leopard print, capturing both sensuality and sophistication. In one iconic image, she’s seen lounging on a couch in a fitted leopard midi skirt, a matching leopard coat draped over her arm—a masterclass in monochromatic styling. Kitt’s look demonstrates how layering different leopard pieces can add depth and allure without feeling overdone. For today’s fashionistas, this styling choice offers a valuable tip: combine complementary leopard pieces in varied textures or fits to create a cohesive yet powerful statement that radiates confidence and charm.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker captivated audiences in the 1930s with her fearless style, often seen with her pet cheetah, Chiquita, who was adorned in a diamond-studded collar. This pairing of Baker’s glamorous outfits with her exotic pet redefined animal print as a bold fashion statement. Her affinity for leopard and cheetah patterns, coupled with her unique flair, showcased the print’s potential to exude both elegance and audacity. For today’s style, Baker’s look suggests embracing leopard print with unapologetic confidence—using bold accessories or even pairing it with unexpected elements to create a look as daring as it is chic.
Actress Clara Bow
1928 Portrait for Swedish amusement magazine Våra Nöje
Bow exudes vintage glamour, draped in a sleek leopard stole that highlights her status as a Hollywood icon. The soft, luxurious leopard accessory brings a touch of wild sophistication to her otherwise refined look, emphasizing how a single statement piece can elevate an outfit. Bow’s portrait is a reminder for modern styling: a well-chosen leopard accent, whether a scarf, stole, or handbag, can add timeless allure to any ensemble, creating a look that’s as effortlessly chic today as it was in her era.
Marie Aurore de Saxe
Portrait Painting - 1777
Marie Aurore de Saxe, the Marquise of Saint-Aubin, was an early icon of leopard print, elegantly showcased in her striking 1777 portrait. Adorned in leopard fur, she exuded power and opulence—qualities that have defined this print for centuries. Her choice not only emphasized her noble status but also established leopard’s boldness and high fashion appeal, long before it became a mainstream trend.
Nefertiabet - Egyptian princess
Giza (G 1225)
Nefertiabet, the Egyptian princess from Giza, is renowned for her leopard-inspired attire, influenced by Seshat, the goddess of wisdom. Seshat’s leopard skins symbolized knowledge and power, establishing the print as a prestigious fashion statement linked to authority. Nefertiabet's portrayal highlights the ancient admiration for leopard motifs, solidifying its status as a timeless emblem of elegance.
Augusta Reimer Illustration
The Ladies Home Journal Magazine, 1914
In 1914, Augusta Reimer’s illustration in The Ladies Home Journal captured the spirit of women embracing leopard print as a symbol of empowerment. Titled “I Will Be Seen, and I Am Not Prey,” it reflected the era's independence, framing leopard as a statement of resilience and strength, inspiring women to stand out and defy societal expectations.
French Fashion Caricature Drawing
1788 French Fashion Caricature
This vibrant 1788 caricature features a wealthy woman in a striking red and beige leopard-print dress, paired with a towering powdered wig. The theatrical style emphasizes the playful versatility of leopard print. This illustration inspires modern styling by suggesting the pairing of leopard with complementary hues, unexpected textures, and bold accessories for a timeless yet fresh look.
References
- https://www.genieboheme.com/post/leopard-print-is-timeless
- https://www.theladylikeleopard.com/2020/02/28/stephanie-seymour-in-leopard-print-90s/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/14/style/leopard-cheetah-print-fashion.html#:~:text=Its%20role%20as%20a%20signifier,is%20the%20king%20of%20fashion.
- https://www.theladylikeleopard.com/2018/05/17/90s-leopard-print-magazines/
- https://cleveralice.com/blogs/news/the-appeal-of-cheetah-print-from-the-90s-to-now
- https://nypost.com/2024/01/05/lifestyle/leopard-print-claws-back-as-2024s-it-trend-how-to-rock-it-your-way/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/29/arts/design/dressed-to-kill-the-power-ofleopard-prints.html