Photography: Andrew Sousa
When shopping for a coat, we tend to stick to the basics. Play it safe. Opt for shades of grey, somber black, or bright winter whites. But why not be daring? In a season when the weather is gloomy, have some fun with your outerwear.
The easiest way to do that? Just walk on the wild side, with a leopard print coat. It’s luxurious, bold, and great for bundling up in style. Not to mention, the New York Times Style Magazine stated in their August issue that “leopard, the naughtiest of prints, is back in fashion. But the look is tailored and covered up”. So with a green light from the fashion Gods, it’s time to try this new trend. Here are three things to keep in mind when picking up the right piece:
Photography: Andrew Sousa
Keep it Cool with the Colour: You may never see a real leopard sporting blue spots, but your coat should be! Try to stay away from the classic brown/camel combination that animal-printed fabrics tend to have. Going for something that’s of a different (yet subtle) shade will add sartorial flair, rather than have you looking like you’re wearing your prey. The perfect example? The Ann Taylor LOFT coat that I’m also wearing in this post.
Be Picky with Pattern: Play around with size and scale. While a smaller print can be elegant and delicate, a larger one can be more modern and edgy. This Michel Kors coat is ideal, abstracting a classic and adapting it for everyday life. Throw on some jeans and black leather boots and you’ll look like you just walked off the pages of a magazine.
Envision the Ensemble: When putting it all together, be mindful of the details. The coat should be the star of the show just like a leopard in the wild, so don’t steal its spotlight. Pair it with denim, dress pants, and solid coloured tops. When it comes to pattern, stripes or houndstooth (like the skirt pictured above) are your best bet –nothing too busy.
Now that you’re armed with advice, get out there and hunt down your coat!
Style is served!
A special thank you to Andrew Sousa for taking the photographs for this post. To see more of his great work, visit: http://www.sousaphotography.webs.com
