The cat is out of the bag when it comes to the revival of the famous leopard print. The iconic pattern was littered all over the autumn/winter 2024 catwalks of almost every top designer from Versace to Yves Saint Laurent. Making its first non-fur appearance in 1947 by Christain Dior, it seems like no matter how many times this trend is declared dead it always has a way of crawling back.
We have seen hints of the leopard print throughout the past year or so, but it is clear, both from recent street style and high fashion, that leopard is one of the top trends for this autumn season. Many highly acclaimed celebrities and fashion gurus are donning these new spots including models Kendall Jenner and Winnie Harlow as well as singers Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. From a trench coat to shorts and even to floor-length dresses, A-list stars are setting the tone for wild fall fashion to come.
The resurgence of such a loud look indicates a shift away from the minimalist aesthetic the world has clung to for the past few years. This trend is definitely moving us in the right direction because it allows for more fun expression while still holding to its classic style.
However, minimalists should not fear this resurgence because the leopard print has been reimagined in a more versatile way. Designers and retailers are creating more muted tones so that people can pair and wear the print, easier and more tastefully. Whether you are ready to turn full leopard or just experiment with some spotted accents, there are options for leopard-printed items from head to toe. We can find looks from leopard on leopard to subtle pops of the leopard print in bags or shoes and anything in between.
I will say that no matter how many times leopard print gets redone, wearing this print does require a boldness to exude the fierce elegance it brings to its wearer. In the words of Christian Dior, “If you’re fair and sweet, don’t wear it!” The connotations of sensuality and empowered femininity follow the leopard print in whatever time period it pops up in.
I personally love seeing leopard print styled out and about in the streets of New York City. While there is a fine line between the pattern looking tacky or classy, I find leopard to be very eye-catching and that it can exude confidence if put together in a stylish way. Something I really enjoy about the resurgence of the leopard print, and just the resurgence of trends in general, is that I get to wear clothes I saw and wore as a kid. There is nostalgia behind wearing items you saw on your favorite celebrities and older cousins. Getting to put your own spin on rediscovered trends only adds to the nostalgia and excitement.
I am not the only fashion lover to have noticed the leopard print coming back in style. Ella Keddy, the lifestyle editor of MODE Magazine, Fordham University’s student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine, has also been entranced by the trend. “I would say that I absolutely love leopard print,” said Keddy. “Some people think it’s trashy, but I think it can be so chic when styled the right way.” Another observer of this fashion trend is Rachel Erikson, the president of Fashion for Philanthropy. She immediately said she loved the resurgence of leopard print.
While we recognize that leopard print has either been on hold or at the forefront of fashion for quite some time, it is not the only wild style. There is always a pull towards animal prints in general. We can see this by just looking at the past 20 years. The nostalgic zebra stripes were around in the transition from the late 2000s and early 2010s. The rise of the Western aesthetic gave rise to the cow print that reached its peak around 2019 and going into 2020.
As we continue to go deeper into the autumn season, I am excited to see more leopard print not just in the city but also on Fordham’s campus. I know there are a lot of fashionistas out there who will come up with fun ways to style this reclaimed trend. If, by the end of this article, you are really not into the leopard print, I hope you still take away the lesson to think twice before throwing away clothes because trends always come back around.
