We’ve all had this reflex: we put on a leopard print skirt or coat, and we immediately grab the black bag or ankle boots from the closet. On paper, this duo seems reassuring, automatic. But in front of the mirror, the result seems harsh, less current than expected, as if something was wrong without us really putting our finger on it.
Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway’s latest looks tell something else. Vintage leopard slipdress, Michael Kors spotted coat, cherry red shirt dress… on the streets of Los Angeles and New York, their spring silhouettes shun black accessories in favor of warmer colors, which completely change the reading of the pattern.
Leopard print and black accessories: why this combo tires the look
For a long time, we repeated that black goes with everything. With a leopard print, it strongly frames the silhouette and creates a very clear contrast between the beige and brown spots and the dark blocks of the bags or shoes. In a photo the effect may seem graphic; in movement, it often hardens the hold and the eye especially catches the black.
In recent looks, leopard is much more often accompanied by chocolate, cognac or camel leather than black accessories. These browns pick up the nuances of the pattern instead of breaking them, which gives a softer, more luxurious look too, even if the outfit is limited to jeans and a t-shirt.
Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway validate the leopard and brown accessories duo
While out to dinner in Los Angeles, Hailey Bieber wore a Roberto Cavalli leopard slip dress. Instead of black sandals and bag, she had The Row’s Ingrid Bag in chocolate brown and matching vintage Manolo Blahnik sandals. This choice of deep browns gave the outfit a much more sophisticated side than classic black.
In New York, Anne Hathaway was photographed in a leopard-print coat by Michael Kors for a screening of . Underneath, a long cherry red shirt dress, blood red velvet pumps, a mini garnet crocodile-effect bag and carmine lipstick formed a gradient of reds that made her leopard look both glamorous and rock.
How to wear brown accessories with leopard print every day
To reproduce this spirit at home, the idea is simple: as soon as a leopard print piece comes into play, we replace the black reflex with brown accessories. Cognac leather bag, camel belt, chocolate ankle boots or café-au-lait sandals extend the beige spots of the pattern and immediately soften the silhouette.
For the more discreet, the leopard scarf designed by Balzac Paris for readers is an ideal gateway. Tied around the neck, slipped into the hair or attached to the handle of a brown leather shopping bag, it is enough to liven up raw jeans and a light t-shirt, without any black piece being necessary.
Can you wear black accessories with leopard print?
Yes, but in small touches, never in a total look with bag and shoes.
What colors of brown accessories should you choose with leopard print?
Chocolate, cognac, camel or café au lait tones harmonize the pattern and calm the contrast.
How to start wearing leopard without making a mistake?
A small Balzac Paris leopard scarf on a brown bag is enough to test.
