How YOU Can Rock The Leopard Print

Is the lovely leopard luring you in?

Unsure about how to navigate your way through the jungle this Fall?

Here’s how to tame the desire – walk slowly and carry a big stick – only one stick that is!

Think ‘categories’ here ladies, don’t think shopping cart. It’s a very different thing if you fill your shopping cart with black items as you work through the aisles than if you fill it with animal prints. Chances are that ‘animal’ cart is going to be way too loud before it even makes the checkout line.

The leopard print will show up in every ‘category’ in every store this Fall, so now is the time to decide where on your body, it should live. Decide that now before you even grab the car keys. One misstep could cause you to roar (or those around you to roar – with laughter that is!)

Remember, leopard is a neutral, just like black or navy and can coexist with your pre-existing neutral wardrobe. It is a perfect refresher to your solid basics that are just longing to match up with someone new and make it out the door before the next millennial.

Because you will find the print on anything from thongs, to candles to bath mats, you must choose wisely so that you don’t resemble Jack Hannah returning from a weekend safari.

There tends to be more don’ts than do’s, so I will list those here. As far as the do’s, just play with the trend within reason. Fashion is supposed to be fun. If you totally think the pattern is soooo not you, then just pop it with a new dog collar – for the dog of course!

Don’ts:

• Don’t mix cats; we know that never works – one leopard at a time is all you should handle.
• Don’t pick an animal print that is larger than the moon, smaller is better, average is okay, the normal size that actually would be seen on the animal is the best!
• Don’t buy something just because of the print! You must genuinely like the garment, shoe, bag, etc before you plunk down your credit card. Long after the trend is gone, no doubt you will still have the item, so shop carefully.
• Don’t make your first shot a full shot. In other words, start with sips. Introduce leopard into your look a bit (sip) at a time. If you show up with your entire body wrapped in leopard, we will all be a bit uncomfortable.

Fear not the call of the wild!

Try introducing this ubiquitous print with your accessories first:

Then once you, your coworkers and your family, embrace the fact that you are stepping into the wild, you can venture down below. We are not talking there (although I did see a leopard thong online), we are talking all the way down to the feet.

Pick a category to make a statement: shoes, handbags, belts, scarves, gloves, jewelry, skinny jeans or the trim on jackets, sweaters or skirts. Just keep it within reason – it shouldn’t BE the outfit as that can take on the look of the ugly Christmas sweater. It should ACCENT the outfit; think frosting on a cake. A little goes a long way baby!

Doreen Dove empowers women to use style as a tool to take strategic control of their image. She is an image consultant, personal stylist and professional speaker. Her extensive background in all aspects of retail has uniquely qualified her to work with women of all ages and professions, coaching them to personal style success.

www.DoreenDove.com

Book a complimentary Boost Your Image Breakthrough Session with me. We’ll chat about how to navigate you in AND out of the jungle! Then we’ll move on to your closet, your image and whatever else comes up! I look forward to ‘meeting’ you on the phone!

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