From Janice from Friends and Joan Collins, to Eastenders star Pat Butcher and Kate Moss, leopard print has been worn by a multitude of women–and in a multitude of ways–over the decades. For some, it will always be synonymous with a certain sort of femme fatale figure, all red-painted talons and Cruella De Vil sass, but thanks to the likes of Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana, and Alaïa, the print has been elevated to the lofty heights of ultra-luxury fashion and, in turn, become a uniform of some of history’s most stylish women.
And while leopard print boasts a timelessness that not many other trends can claim, it’s clear that we’re experiencing a particular animalistic moment in fashion this season. According to John Lewis, searches for “leopard print” are up 170% year-on-year, meanwhile eBay reported a 380% increase in searches for “leopard print coat” between July and October 2024. Recently, I was sitting in the Condé Nast cafeteria and counted not one, but five pairs of leopard-print jeans roaming the floor. It really is inescapable.
Of course, it’s unlikely that we will be replacing our trusty white T-shirt with a leopard iteration any time soon, but a pop of animal print is an easy way to add interest and playfulness to your wardrobe, whatever the season. The question is, how are the fashion crowd–and specifically the Vogue editors–wearing leopard print for spring/summer 2025? The secret to creating a unique look lies in the archives.
The ’90s and Noughties are certainly ripe for the picking when it comes to leopard-print inspiration. For an entry-point ensemble, we recommend investing in a leopard-print accessory– be it a bag, a shoe or a scarf–as it’s a failsafe way to liven up your wardrobe basics. Kate Moss’s iconic airport ensemble from 1994 is the ultimate reference point. Leopard-print outerwear is also a no-brainer, especially when paired with pared-back separates–see a ’90s Gwyneth Paltrow, who was a big fan of using black as a minimalist counterpoint to the vibrant animal print.
“I always dress [leopard print] down because I don’t like it looking too ‘done’,” eBay’s pre-loved style director and leopard-print aficionado, Amy Bannerman, previously told Vogue. “I am very specific on the print and fabric: I like the fabric to be smooth and flat, rather than that fluffy kind of fake fur, and I like the leopard to look like a real leopard rather than some of the more abstract or pony-style prints, as I think it looks more timeless and expensive. I will be wearing my leopard-print pieces with men’s suit trousers, my Prada loafers and a men’s sweater. All preloved of course.”
