Animal print is practically a neutral, right? From cheetah and leopard to ocelot, I have quite a bit of animal print in my closet and have been “spotted” in these bold patterns since my early days of blogging! In my opinion, these motifs strike the perfect balance between classic fashion and a playful statement.
While animal print pieces are fairly easy to mix and match, they can also take a quite left turn if you aren’t careful. So today, I’m highlighting some do’s and don’ts of styling these patterns, sharing some of my current favorite pieces, and discussing how I would style a chic animal print outfit for 2025!
Do’s and Don’ts of Animal Print Styling
I’ve said this time and time again…fashion should be fun! While there are no strict rules, and ultimately you should wear what makes you feel good, here are my personal do’s and don’ts for styling animal print outfits.
1. Don’t wear head-to-toe animal print.
For me, a head-to-toe animal print look can quickly shift from stylish to costume-like! While some can pull it off, I typically choose to break up the look with other prints, pops of color, or a great neutral.
2. Do mix and match prints.
While I usually stick to just one animal print per outfit, I’m not afraid to mix and match it with other patterns! Some of my favorite combos? Leopard with navy and white stripes or ocelot with a black and white polka dot. This midi dress is a great example of print mixing, with leopard and polka dots together in one dress. And these mixed-print loafers are another chic example!
3. Don’t mix different scales of animal print.
If I’m wearing multiple animal print pieces, I try to choose patterns that are relatively the same scale. For example, you could wear these slingback flats while carrying this top handle bag because they have similar print sizes. This ensures that the outfit is polished, rather than too busy or distracting,
4. Don’t mix different animal prints or tones.
Similarly, I try not to mix different animal prints (like zebra and leopard) or wildly different tones. Doing this can cause an outfit to appear sloppy or disjointed!
5. Do add a pop of color.
White, black, and brown are great and easy to mix with cheetah or leopard, but a bold color pop can be perfect as well! For example, this fall outfit and this summer look demonstrate how a powerful pop of color can enhance an animal print outfit.
My Current Favorite Animal Print Pieces & How to Style Them
Now that we’ve covered my personal animal print styling rules, let’s walk through a few of my current favorite pieces. I’ll also touch on how I would style each piece for 2025!
A Chic Leopard Suede Bag
I recently got this leopard print bag, and I’ve found myself mixing and matching it into SO many outfits. I love its top-handle design, the size, the optional strap, and the rich suede material.
How I’d Style It:
This purse would look effortlessly chic with a striped top, relaxed denim and matching leopard flats. This outfit strikes the perfect balance between casual everyday style and elevated classic fashion. Looking for more ways to style leopard flats? Check out this post.
A Luxury Leopard Print Jacket
If money were no object, this stunning animal print jacket would be living in my closet! I love everything about it, from the scale of the print and the sweet bows to the feminine swing silhouette! The only thing I don’t love is the price point lol.
How I’d Style It:
This standout jacket would look amazing paired with this darling green dress and these chic mules.
A Dramatic Leopard Midi Skirt
A few months ago, I styled this leopard print midi skirt for a chic party look. It’s such a statement piece, and by wearing it with a black top, I let the skirt do the talking!
How I’d Style It:
To switch it up a bit, you could pair it with this cropped red jacket—the silhouette would compliment the skirt’s higher waistline. Complete the outfit with red peep-toe heels for another pop of color!
Under $100 Leopard Maxi Dress
This affordable leopard print maxi dress caught my eye this week, and I’m thinking of adding it to my cart!
How I’d Style It:
This maxi would look so chic paired with this bow-front black jacket that looks just as beautiful open as it does closed. I would keep the look simple by adding these black heeled sandals and these statement stud earrings for a timelessly polished animal print outfit.
How to Confidently Style Animal Print Clothing
If you’ve been on the fence about adding animal print pieces to your wardrobe, my advice is—just go for it! You might be surprised at how fun it can be to add a pop of print to your outfits. If you follow these do’s and don’ts and blend them with your personal style, you’ll create looks that feel both stylish and uniquely you!
Enjoy styling posts? Check out these fashion guides next!
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