DOUBLE FIGURES! We’ve made it into double figures. Week 10 of my 52 week style challenge. My, how the weeks have flown. Only 3 weeks left of my Autumn Seasonal Skinny, before we pass the baton on to the Winter Seasonal Skinny!
On the previous 3 weeks of my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge, I’ve worn patterned shirts with my jeans,
Wk 7: Checked Shirt, Biker Boots & Bling
Wk 8: Oversized Tartan Shirt & Leopard Print Tie
Wk 9: Science & The Printed Shirt
This week I’ve passed the ‘pattern baton’ on to the accessories team. Gamely, the accessories grabbed the ‘pattern baton’ with both hands. I present to you the Leopard Print relay team, ably supported by Team Plaid! The relay team is quite unusual in that they all begin with b’s! First leg on the starting blocks is
Beret
Belt takes the second leg
Bracelet the difficult middle leg of the race before
Booties brings up the rear in a sprint for the finishing line on the last leg!
Can you wear different leopard prints together in an outfit?
YES!
Won’t it look mismatched?
YES! But who cares?
It’s not as if I’m dousing myself in leopard print a la ‘Bet Lynch’ style and, let’s face it, it’s rare that you’ll get 4 separate leopard prints to match exactly! But that’s ok because if they did all match exactly, it would look a little dull. Sometimes things can be too matchy matchy. Besides, even real leopards from the same litter don’t have the exact same markings.
With all the leopard accessories together you can easily see the prints are all slightly different in size, colour and tone BUT they’re not outrageously dissimilar. Yes, the beret and belt are browner than the boots and bracelet which have more of an orange tone to them but there’s some harmony there, ergo there’s no reason why they can’t be worn together.
Once on and spaced out, they’re not competing with each other; each one stands out individually but are still part of the group. Just like in a relay team!
Ok, Coach you can sit on the bench now!
In some ways this outfit is a riff on my Leopard Print & Denim post from September.
The boyfriend cardigan, necklace, bag, bracelet and booties are the same, just showing how versatile they are.
I’ve just added a couple more leopard print accessories with the belt and the beret.
My curly whirly, silver flecked brunette locks tumbling out from under my leopard print beret. This is the third beret I’ve worn on the blog. I love them as they’re so easy to wear, are timeless and really inexpensive to buy. This one is originally Acessorize but I bought it from e-bay for only a few pounds. It’s Angora so super soft to wear, non itchy and keeps my head really warm.
Then because Team Plaid wanted some of the spotlight too (no jealousy in the ranks please), we have another accessories pairing of my Plaid Cape and thrifted bag, toning in with the dark mint top and the varying browns of the leopard prints.
By keeping the main outfit two tone in colour, – burgundy and mint – which acts as a background canvas, I could play around with showcasing 4 slightly different leopard prints accents. Then I just paired up the final two bigger accessories, and even though we’ve two different patterns here – the plaid and the leopard – it still a co-ordinated look.
Mixing your accessories allows you to show off more patterns but it’s also a great alternative if you just want your pattern mixing look to be more low key.
Seasonal Skinny
New Look Long Sleeve tee & Boyfriend Cardigan (both old). Although they’re doing the Drop Pocket Boyfriend Cardigan in burgundy and a few other colours again this year.
Accessorize Beret (old from ebay)
River Island Leopard Print Ankle Boots (old from e-bay) Clarks Leopard Print are similar
Belt TKMaxx (old) This Biba Shena Leather Leopard Print Belt is currently on sale
Bracelet & Plaid Bag (thrifted)
I wore this outfit on one of the days when I went to the Pilates studio I teach at. One of my male colleagues, who’s become a pal from all the hours and hours of teaching practice we did together, to help us get through our training said, as soon as he saw me,
“I’m going to call you Leopard Lady from now on.” Absolutely made my day!
You can read the background to my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge here.
Linking with / High Latitude Style / Fashion Should Be Fun / Flashback Fashion Friday / Fashion Friday / Passion4Fashion /
I think this is just the perfect amount of leopard! I also think that if the leopard prints match too much, the look won't work, so you played this just right. I love your colleague's comment about being the "leopard lady". It sounds like something my husband would say!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you think I got the balance right – I do too. More and it would've started to look like I was trying too hard. I had to smile when he said 'leopard lady' it was just so endearing and immediate.
I have little booties very similar to these. I love leopard accessories.
Rrrawrrr! : )
bisous
Suzanne
Rrrawrrr! right back atcha! Much love for the leopard!
There's that gorgeous blanket wrap again! It goes with absolutely everything, I'm well jell 😉
x
Doesn't it? I've been really pleasantly surprised by it. I worn it quite alot so definitely a good buy!
Hey Leopard Lady….those boots rock (Nancy got some at the end of last season and I'm featuring them next week!!). I usually don't love matching top/bottom, but your burgundy's look great with the mint t-shirt and leopard accessories!! I'm going to have to copy that one! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Ha, ha, it's my comic book heroine name now. And here comes Leopard Lady to the rescue! I know what you mean about matching top & bottom – it can look too tidy but the leopard accessories add fun and can stand out more. Can't wait to see Nancy's boots.
Looking totally adorable, dear! I love plaid and leopard together!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Thank you Dawn. It's a great combo, isn't it.
Ooooo…I love a little mix-up!
Checks and leopard? perfect! (Geometric with the organic)
Keep the palette muted and tonal and…. hey presto…a fantastic outfit!
Your hat looks very similar to mine, fluffy and fabulous!
I now feel like I need leopard boots….hmmmm…is there room in my shoe cupboard??? Of course! There is always room for more shoes! XXX
Samantha
Fake Fabulous
Yes, I think we may have the same beret – absolutely fluffy and fabulous!
Of course there's room in the shoe cupboard, Samantha. Isn't that why we have shoe horns??? You must get some leopard boots, really, they are so fun to wear. I confess to owning 4 pairs (gulp) of different styles, all bought either in the sales or via e-bay.
I like that – geometric and organic – I'll have to remember that!
I'm actually not keen on leopard or animal print except for berets and belts (and the boots are cute) so you win me over with this post!! You've styled the skinnies so well.Xx
Glad I won you over, Kezzie. I know that animal print isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style.Love the burgundy color with leopard. So chic
Burgundy is such a versatile colour. So many patterns and colours work with it. Thanks for hosting.
I Love this outfit of yours and how you played with different leopard prints. You look lovely
xoxo – Style.. A Pastiche
Thank you for your lovely compliment, Chaicy.
Love your leopard print boots! 🙂 Accessories are my favourite way to wear leopard – even though I only have leopard print scarves! It is nice to do a little bit of print mixing with them 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Boots are the next easy step up from accessories. And they go with sooo much.