A friend recently asked if I knew my entire personality was leopard print. (I did not.) Yet I felt seen almost instantly. I can regularly be found wearing a leopard jacket from AllSaints and tortoiseshell sunglasses or scouring Reformation for any accessory that will bring a healthy dose of wild to a night out. Not to mention, on a tropical vacation, my go-to one-piece is leopard beachwear from French brand Make My Lemonade. But my most beloved item — the one I once relied on to add character to any look — was a pair of just-above-the-ankle, stretch leopard-print pants from Madewell. For under $100, these jeans were a steal and lasted almost five seasons, until I wore them, quite literally, to shreds. After I was forced to retire them, the animalistic side of my wardrobe was thus incomplete. Which led me to a hunt for a perfect replacement pair — this time, ones that I could not outwear.
In general, I prefer patterned denim (cameo or cowboy) over neutral denim (blue or black). I find it easy and versatile to build almost any outfit around. Leopard-print jeans, in specific, have an aura of their own. I love pairing them simply with a black or white tee and with any style of shoe, whether a loafer or ankle boot, then layering with a leather coat. Voilà — instantly fun, informal, and edgy.
