Welcome the new year by wearing leopard print and taking a walk on the wild side, at least when it comes to your style, that is. It’s time to leave quiet luxury behind and let your clothes roar. While animal prints come in varying styles and colors, it’s leopard print that’s sits at the top of the fashion food chain. Before we delve into the many different ways you can incorporate the bold leopard print into your everyday style, let’s take a little expedition into the long history of this fashion (fe)line.

History will tell us that even our ancestors had a thing for leopard. A clay figurine dating all the way back to 6000 B.C. called the “Seated Woman of Çatalhöyük” depicts a woman with her arm across her body that’s swathed in leopard. Before any fashion brand, magazine, or celebrity, Seshat, the Egyptian goddess of wisdom, was often depicted adorned with a leopard hide and she wasn’t the only one. Even in Chinese mythology, the Queen Mother of the West, known as goddess Xi Wangmu, was illustrated as having the teeth of a tiger and the tail of a leopard. Dionysus, the god of wine and hedonism, as well as Cybele, the cult goddess of fertility, were also among those who were portrayed wearing the graphic animal hide. Looking into ancient history, it’s clear that leopard has long been iconic and coveted.

Fast forward thousands of years later and leopard, as well as other animal furs, became an evident symbol of status and wealth. It was often worn exclusively by royalty and the nobility. As time progressed, animal fur transformed into animal prints, making leopard print clothing and accessories more accessible to the general public.

A major turning point came in 1947 when Christian Dior became the very first designer to have a model wear his leopard print design and give a whole new meaning to the term catwalk. Leopard fur found in the royal robes of kings and queens transformed into leopard prints worn by modern day European and American royalty. Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy, both Diana and Catherine, the former and current Princess of Wales, were all fans of the iconic animal print. However, far from a fashion reserved for royalty, leopard print has become a favorite of fashion lovers from all walks of life.

Since its first appearance on the catwalk, leopard print has become a staple on the sidewalk and the red carpet, worn from day to night, for casual to formal fits. Since the 90s, Mel B aka Scary Spice made leopard print her wardrobe staple and today, Chappell Roan dons leopard print to conquer the stage. Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Bella Hadid are just but a few of the names that continuously put leopard print fashion on the spotlight.

Undoubtedly bold, leopard print can claim the unique status of being both a statement-making design, as well as a neutral print. Because it can be worn with nearly everything, leopard print can swing from one end of the fashion pendulum to another, going from chic to tacky, depending on how one decides to style and wear it. Of course, like beauty, style is also in the eye of the beholder. What may seem tacky to one could be entirely fashionable to another. So really, the point is to wear it however way you want to. After all, like the feline it takes inspiration from, choosing to wear leopard print should leave you feeling no less than utterly empowered.

For the brave fashionistas, only a full leopard print outfit will do. Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Rita Oraare among the femme fatales who never shy away from a loud fashion statement, wearing leopard print from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet.

If you want to take a confident prowl on the wild side of fashion with a full-on leopard print look of your own, slip on a complete leopard print dress or choose a coordinated leopard print top and bottoms. Now, the difference is all in the accessories. Take your leopard print style a notch higher but adding leopard print accessories – boots, a hat, gloves, a coat, tights. Whatever accessories you prefer, they’ll surely make your outfit roar.

Now, if you want to wear a full leopard print outfit but would prefer to keep it a little tamer, you also can. Instead of putting on leopard print accessories, show some skin instead. Make your leopard print skirt a short one or show off your arms and décolletage in a slinky leopard print slip dress with spaghetti straps a la Bella Hadid and Chrissy Teigan. While black and gold accessories will always go perfectly with leopard, you can also add a surprising pop of color like Victoria Beckham did, complimenting her leopard print dress with a baby blue clutch and pumps.

Pulling off a fierce leopard print outfit doesn’t just mean wearing a full leopard print dress or a matching top and bottom combo. You can easily add a scratch of leopard to your everyday outfits to give your style that dose of ferocity.

Whether you prefer to dress up or dress down, one of the easiest ways to wear leopard that’s guaranteed to look fashionable is by slipping into a leopard print skirt. Mini, midi, or maxi – you can choose any length of leopard print skirt.

For a casual day out, tuck a simple, loose-fitting t-shirt into the front of your leopard print skirt like Jessica Biel and strap on a pair of sandals. If you want your leopard print outfit to have a more rebellious, grunge vibe, pair a leopard print mini skirt with a distressed concert tee and slip into a pair of high top boots, Chucks, or any other sneakers.

On the other hand, if something more polished or feminine is what you’re going for, wear your leopard print skirt with a fitted knit top and a pair of high heel pumps. For that dose of color, you can also opt for a bright yellow top to go with your leopard print mini skirt and a pair of classic ballet flats like model Alexa Chung. Remember, the big advantage of leopard print is that it can work like a neutral palette and pretty much go with any color of your liking.

Ditch the blue jeans, or well, any plain old pair of jeans, really. It’s time to upgrade your denims with a leopard print. Wide leg, flared, cropped, high waist, low rise – you can (and should!) add your favorite fit of leopard print jeans and trousers to your wardrobe. Easy, and not to mention stylish, to pair with any top, you’ll wonder why you didn’t wear leopard print jeans sooner.

One of the queens of cool herself, Sienna Miller, traded her classic denims with a straight leg pair of leopard print pants. Worn with a simple black top and ballet flats, the outfit screams effortless style. For a more rugged and edgy aesthetic, switch the simple black top with a cropped top, trade the a ballet flats for chunky loafers or oxfords, throw a cool motorcycle jacket over it and you’re more than good to go! Good to go out looking as cool as Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid, that is, in their own leopard print jeans.

If you can wear leopard print bottoms then you can certainly wear leopard print tops. When it comes to leopard print tops, there are countless fun, fashionable and fierce styles to choose from. Whether you’re looking to put on a fully printed leopard print top or just want a touch of animal print on it, your options are practically endless.

Take your simple crew neck shirt to the next level by going for a leopard print style. Like model Miranda Kerr, you can simply pair it with a plain black skirt or go for casual jeans instead. If a button up top is more your style, you can take a cue from Katie Holmes and opt for an oversized leopard print button up shirt with casual cropped jeans and flats. Of course, leopard print isn’t just for shirts and blouses. For chillier days, slip into a leopard print sweater instead. On the flipside, if you’re all for a hot night out, a leopard print corset top or tube top and leather pants will leave you looking smoking.

Back in her singing days, Victoria Beckham, as well as Britney Spears, performed in tops that had cutouts at the front and along the sides. The ladies of Destiny’s Child also frequently wore coordinated outfits, including evening dresses, that featured revealing cutouts and slits. You too can do the same with a long, figure-hugging dress featuring well-placed openings along the sides or down the front. If something casual is more your vibe, go for a cutout top and pair it with your favorite baggy jeans or cargo pants. 

Ever the epitome of cool, throughout the years, Kate Moss has been endlessly photographed in a whole slew of chic leopard print jackets and leopard print coats. There’s a reason why she still remains a poster child for effortless style and a reason why you need not look any further than the supermodel for how to wear leopard print outerwear. Like Kate, consider a leopard print jacket or coat like a neutral and the wardrobe staple that it is. Wear your leopard print outerwear with everything – straight leg jeans and sandals, skinny jeans and sneakers, over a single tank top or layered tops, with a casual dress and knee-high boots, or a dress for a night out and stilettos.

Of course, Kate Moss isn’t the only one who’s looked fashionable in leopard print outerwear. Taylor Swift looked like she stepped out of a rock n’ roll era in a leopard print coat over an oversized graphic shirt and heels. Hailey Bieber added a large dose of style to a plain white tank top, jeans and slides with an oversized leopard print jacket. Emma Roberts, on the other hand, let a leopard print blazer hang over her shoulders and her plain black ensemble. Always on trend, Paris Hilton stepped out in a leopard print hoodie and a matching hair wrap, showing the quintessential 2000s style. Follow any of their fashionable footsteps to wear your own leopard print outerwear.

A spot of leopard print is all you need to make a simple outfit instantly stylish. For those who don’t want to wear a full leopard print outfit, or even a leopard print top or bottoms, we’ve got good news! You can wear a wide array of leopard print accessories to add just a spot of leopard print that can make all the difference to any outfit.

Do as Dua Lipa and top off your casual, everyday outfit with a fun faux leopard fur hat. You can also step out in style like Gigi Hadid, choosing leopard print loafers one day and high heeled leopard print boots the next. Alternatively, you can grab a leopard print bag for instant style or, like Kris and Kylie Jenner, give a new meaning to cateye by putting on a pair of fierce leopard print sunglasses.

They say a leopard never changes its spots but you certainly can. Now is the perfect time to take your style to the wild side and wear your favorite leopard print fits - Boogzel has curated a leopard print collection just for you.