Save your wardrobe from winter dreariness with a dash of leopard print

There’s no denying the stylish possibilities of leopard print - which is why, for such a bold statement, it is surprising versatile. At its most glamorous, it’s the territory of pin-ups Bettie Page and Dita von Teese and the ultimate seductress, Mrs Robinson. At its most luxurious, that of Zsa Zsa Gabor and Elizabeth Taylor. And mussed up a little at the rock’n’roll end of the spectrum, everyone from Debbie Harry to Kate Moss lives in leopard.

And yet this seeming perennial print can also easily look cheap. If the silhouette is too short or tight, if the fabric seems to fade when stretched, then leopard can look far from luxurious. Why is why it’s such a good choice for updating your winter wardrobe. Wearing your spots might be treacherous when it comes to summer style, but a leopard print coat is a classic, and unmistakably grown-up, too.  

Ganni duster, ￡235, Net-A-Porter; Velvet by Graham & Spencer jacket, ￡275, Matches Fashion; Faux fur, ￡79.99, H&M 

Luckily, this season’s catwalk championed the print in a big way, and the shops have been quick to follow suit. Faux fur, velvet and ponyskin coats cater for everyone’s tastes, but while they’re the easiest way to wear the trend now, if that’s too much print for you - or you’ve already invested in a coat this year - then there are other options too. If you wear lots of black in winter, then a dash of leopard  - even just a silk scarf - will liven up a sombre palette. Spotty ankle boots will elevate jeans, but be sure to look for ponyskin-effect fabrics, as cotton or leather versions tend to look rather flat, and less luxe. As a general rule, avoid brightly coloured updates which will date quickly; the classic colouring is just that - classic.

Biba scarf, ￡19.60, House of Fraser; bag, ￡295, Russell & Bromley; Sam Edelman boots, ￡130, Net-A-Porter; Muveil coat, ￡665, Matches Fashion

If you’re investing in ponyskin, a suede protector spray will help to avoid balding, and wiping in the direction of the hair with a soft cloth will keep your leopard looking new. If you already have a faux-fur coat tucked away at home, a cool hand wash with a delicate detergent will revive the fabric if it’s looking a bit tired - allow it to air-dry for the best finish. It can be tempting to just buy a new version, but you’ll be surprised how much a spruce up can help to modernise what you already have - after all, a leopard never changes its spots.

TRACKING THE TREND

Pin-up

In the 1950s, Bettie Page’s jet black hair, blue eyes and fringe became signatures - as did the American model’s penchant for leopard spots. In this context, the print’s associations with sex are at the forefront. It’s no surprise, then, that leopard print has become synonymous with pin-up style, worn by everyone from Jayne Mansfield right up to Dita von Teese in the modern day.

Wild thing

Eartha Kitt’s distinctive singing voice mean her recordings continue to be part of our musical vernacular, but it was an acting role, as Catwoman in a TV series of Batman in the late 1960s, that is most telling when it comes to her style. Off screen and on stage, bold leopard print became a go-to for Kitt, and continues to be a rock’n’roll choice, adding Debbie Harry and Madonna to the leopard count.

City cat

On this winter’s catwalks, leopard print proved to be key Coats continue to be the most popular way to wear the print, from Balenciaga’s faux fur to Michael Kors’ belted trend. At Gabriela Hearst, spots were more snow leopard pale than classic yellow, and it made for a particular grown-up riff on animal print.