That's enough of the dark side

Right, I'm over with looking at black and navy.  I need a change.  I'm starting to bore myself with the dark and dank (it's gone from elegant and mysterious to ugh overnight) and I need something a bit more exciting. 

What is a more perfect pick me up than a bit of leopard?  Can you ever have too much?  Well, to be fair, yes you can.  For me, whilst I am a full paid up member of the "leopard is a neutral" club, I think for it to not look.. errr, well basically crap, you need to wear it one item  at a time. 

Any more than that and you run the risk of edging into lady of the night territory.  Clearly there are some people (La Moss or La Chung for example) who can probably wear it head to toe in all textures and shades and still look hot as shit whilst the majority of us would just look shit.

Also inspired by my bestie who popped over the other day in an old M&S coat that she got in the sale for about £20 a couple of years ago and it still looks ace.  Now I do have a leopard coat - I have the Fenn Wright Manson one but it's not really wearable this time of year. I have a yearning, all of a sudden, for a full on furry number. 

And as if by magic, oh look what I've found.  "weeps"  (this is what happens when you spend too much time "researching").

Kirikou leopard print faux fur coat from Maje was £370 now £185 (ok so I've ordered.  Of course I've ordered.  In the interests of research...if nothing else it can be the most expensive dressing gown I've ever come across).

I love the fact this is a grey version and I can justify it TOTALLY on the basis that my other (albeit not remotely similar) leopard coat is of the brown variety 

However that doesn't stop this being a close second on the list.  Love the oversized blazer style of this one from Mango
Leopard faux fur coat from Mango £89.99



And a heavier fur version also at Mango £79.99  Although I will say for only £10 more, the one above does look about £100 more.  But maybe that's the secret of good styling (funnily enough, I'm not sure many of us of a certain age will be wearing it with a denim pelmet.  I could be wrong of course...). 



This is a full on brown version. 

Pull & Bear Leopard coat £59.99



I have to say though, I love the look of this bargain one from ASOS.  It looks longer to me.. (am always rather sceptical on things like this as it *looks* longer but she could be 5ft5 and it would be mid thigh therefore on me)  But for the price... 

Brave Soul Faux Fur Coat was £80 now £40  I just love this over the all black outfit.  And the hat.  Heart the hat.




Adore the vintage feel to this one from Topshop and the perfect way to wear - teamed with a plain outfit.  Elevates the usual to the err not so usual (we're clearly not reinventing the wheel here but a print can lift the mood as well as an outfit).

Wool Blend Animal Coat from Topshop £89




Other clothing items which I think work quite well include a skirt, this one also from Mango.  I love the idea of this with a black polo neck and black opaques.  Little ankle boots or even black knee high boots would work perfectly for during the day.  A black or cream blouse would make it ideal for an evening out. 

Leopard cotton skirt from Mango £34.99



Another skirt from Topshop and again, I think this is more grey based than the classic beige tones to a leopard print. 

Jacquard Animal A line skirt £36




My favourite though may just be the metallic version.  Which they also do in a Tall. 

Metallic Leopard Print A Line Skirt from Topshop £36



Or, this is a gorgeous dress that will take you right through into the Spring.  I would happily wear this with sandals out in the evening or in the day with flat gladiator sandals (I DID IT - mentioned summer sandals.. oh my lord, the mind boggles.  Already.  I had hoped to at least make it till Christmas...). 

Bare legs here but personally I'd be cladding mine in opaques.  Heeled ankle boots.  And I think there's a button you can undo at the neck - a thin black scarf from the other day would look marvellous with this.

Leopard Print Dress £49.99





However they are quite full on versions of leopard and if you didn't want quite so overt a print, then a scarf is of course the perfect alternative.  And if you're still looking for inspiration for under that tree - I found you some more at The Outnet.

Michael Michael Kors Yesler Leopard intarsia scarf was £115 now £57.50




Or in the grey colourway again 50% off at £57.50




A more reasonable and more unusual option at Mango in a blue.  This into the Spring is gorgeous.  And would make such a lovely difference to a grey, black or navy outfit now. 

Leopard Print Scarf £14.99



And be quick with this one as it will fly out.  Complete bargain and again - think Spring....

Becksondergaard Blurred Print Scarf was £33 now £15



Then of course there is the shoe option.  Oh how I love a leopard shoe (of course I do wear two).  I have my M&S boots that I wore the other night which I got a couple of years ago in the sale for £29 and have been one of my favourite pairs to wear.  Still going strong. 

These are a flat pair which simply rock. 

Joni Boot from Boden £119



More ankle boots with an every day wearable block heel from Warehouse. 

Warehouse Leopard Print Pony Hair Block Heel Calf Boots £75



If you don't fancy full on leopard then this may be enough for you.  A classic ankle boot. 

Keira Boot from Boden was £119 now £89.25



Hint of leopard again at adidas with their Stan Smiths £55




A stiletto is my other must have option coming into the Spring.  Or for now (so long as you're not outdoors too long.... cold ankles) with trousers (or even shove on a pop sock.. go on...) these work really well.  In fact, I'll take that back and say a black dress, black opaques and a pair of these.  Go party.

Leopard Stiletto Shoes from Mango £69.99  Perfect heel height on these.  Which is rare.



And finishing with bags.. how can we forget these?  My favourite leopard bag is a print clutch that I think I'm going to use this evening actually. 

Zip top pouch from Boden was £35 now £26.25  This is more of a grey tone than brown which is more unusual.  And for some reason, slightly less scary to the men.  Are all members of the opposite sex terrified of leopard print?  Mine absolutely abhors it.  "Cheap" is what the says... He knows nothing.



And another clutch that would work equally as well during the day as a cross body bag.  Perfect. 

Chancery Clutch from Boden was £69 now £55.30



I now have to stop as I could go on and on and on and on.   I'm going to save myself for the sales even though I will admit I have ordered the grey Maje coat from The Outnet just as it's not like anything I have (suspend your imagination here for a minute.  Clearly it's a coat and I have coats.  A lot of coats.  Just not one identical to this... that's what I really mean by "not like anything I have".  Obviously).

It also has a belt with it and I think the style will also work well over midi skirts and cropped wide leg trousers which are notoriously difficult to team coats with.  It's arriving on Monday.  I am super super excited. 

So here I am - wrapped up to the nines for footie this morning. 




Grey Baxter jeans - Topshop
Champagne Off Duty Cashmere Jumper - Boden
Edie boots - Seven Boot Lane
Nessa cardigan - hush
Bobble hat - Amelia Jane

This afternoon, I am determined to come round to Les Mis.  I have loathed it in the past and never watched it but my 11yr old LOVES it and I was blown away by the music and dance on Strictly the other week.  So my gorgeous girl are I having a sofa afternoon whilst the love of my life (just in case he's reading!) goes and gets my dry cleaning as I have, yet again, forgotten the blasted stuff and I need to wear the dress this evening.  I think....  Still not decided....