Love it or hate it, leopard print is one of those enduring trends that never leaves our wardrobes. Will it stay in style in 2022?
At My Leopard, we encourage you to wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident, and for those looking for advice, today we're looking to see if animal print is still in style this year. 🕶
But before we answer that question, let's take a step back. How did this trend become so popular?
Leopard Print Has Been Trending Since 1930
Did you know that animal print has been popular since the 1930s, thanks to Tarzan? Yes, you read that right...
Before the release of the movie Tarzan, prints that resembled animal fur or patterns were worn as a symbol of power. After seeing Jane's character on screen, people decided it was simply fun and exciting to dress this way. And today, we see it absolutely everywhere. Even children wear it.
Is Leopard Print Trendy in 2022?
If last year's fashion designer collections are any indication of what's to come, it's safe to say that animal print is here to stay in 2022 (and likely well beyond).
The runways were also marked by prints inspired by some of our favorite jungle animals: from Bottega Veneta's zebra prints for spring/summer to Saint Laurent's leopards for fall/winter, while French women continued to embrace zebra, leopard, and even cow prints. 🤓
But it's not just clothing that's getting the animal print treatment; leopard-print shoes for fall and winter are also falling victim. This is partly due to the rise of the Western look.
We're still seeing a lot of cow print, this time on mules and cowboy boots. Crocodile, zebra, and snakeskin are also ubiquitous. Colorful animal prints are also popular: think snakeskin and lilac crocodile print.
Animal Prints Still in Fashion
Trends come and go (and come and go), but there are some that remain eternal, earning their place year after year. They may be more popular from season to season, but overall, they inevitably reappear to form the cornerstones of our wardrobes .
And this season, among all the ideas getting their five minutes of fame, we've seen our beloved animal print dutifully return. Worn once by our parents and grandparents before them, it's still as relevant as ever. At Balenciaga's SS20 show, leopard print arrived in the form of a fur coat , masculine and oversized with padded shoulders, worn with yellow tights and some rather substantial earrings. Subtle!
At Saint Laurent, models strutted down the runway in sultry cheetah-print dresses , while Richard Quinn's take on leopard was full of joy. A parade of frothy XXL dresses and exaggerated, cartoon-like prints. But it wasn't just big cats on the runways, no no. At Dolce, it was all safari with rainforest prints, giraffes, zebras, and tropical birds galore.
Celebrities and the Leopard
Celebrities are also getting in on the action. Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently posed for Instagram in a zebra-print ensemble alongside her dog Diana, who wore a matching ensemble. 💃
Singer Chloe Bailey attended the Grammys wearing a Louis Vuitton tiger-striped dress also covered in sequins, while reality star Kylie Jenner, her mom Kris, and daughter Stormi also graced the March cover of Harper's Bazaar Arabia in matching leopard-print looks.
So, it's safe to say the trend is on the rise, if not already at its peak. But will you wear it? If the answer is yes but you need a little inspiration, take a look at our collection of leopard dresses, which we love to wear all year round.
6 prints that will never go out of style
If the massive popularity of Alessandro Michele's Gucci brand has taught us anything about fashion, it's that we're living in a time where more is more in style. Between the print mash-ups , the big logos, and the endless embellishments, today's haute couture is all about maximalism.
Although at My Leopard we tend to lean towards the classic and chic side of style, forgoing all the extras, we're still fans of showcasing a single beautiful print in a look .
That being said, not every print deserves to be the focal point of an outfit, so we thought we'd make it easier for you by sharing the classic prints that will never go out of style. Scroll through the 6 timeless patterns we love to find something great for your own wardrobe.
1) The Flowery
Florals aren't usually groundbreaking, but the right patterns can be bold and cool. Think floral dresses worn in summer—they're truly stunning. 🌸
2) Peas
It turns out this classic print is enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity, and we're not mad about it. Wearing it in 2022 has never been more relevant, go!
3) The Stripes
Stripes are one of our all-time favorite patterns and probably the easiest to wear. We love classic black and white stripes, but we've recently been drawn to the more colorful rainbow iterations.
4) Camouflage
One of the boldest prints on this list, camouflage isn't for the style-conscious. Yet, it's a print that has stood the test of time, with designers showing new interpretations of the style season after season.
5) Animal Print
Leopard is definitely a must-have right now, but animal print in general (leopard, cheetah, zebra, snakeskin, even butterflies!) will always be a classic. The easiest way to wear this print is with accessories, a cheetah print coat, a zebra mule, or snakeskin ankle boots. 🐆
6) The Tiles
When you think of a classic print , check is probably one of the first to come to mind. Checked blazers were huge last season, and print in general will continue to be a big fashion trend this fall . But more importantly, it's such a classic that it'll never truly go out of style .
Want to go further? Find out how to wear a leopard jacket !