Top to toe and clashing prints? Why ever not?
In 1962 Jackie Kennedy stepped out in her Oleg Cassini-designed coat and leopard print was born.
It’s edgy, defies trends and turns any outfit from average to sublime – nature created it and I love it.
I adore all the wild-cat prints out there – leopard, cheetah, jaguar - take your pick. If you are feeling particularly brave, clashing snake and leopard print is a brilliant way to go.
Oof, definitely be aware of the Bet Lynch connotations (sorry American and International visitors - this is a uniquely British thing being "Coronation Street"), and I am not about to suggest heading out in leopard-print jeggings accessorised with gold hoop earrings (unless you are Sienna Miller).
As with everything, there is a fine line. I very rarely leave the house without something leopard on my feet. But why stop there? We only have to look at Kate Moss and Alexa Chung – the living embodiment of all things leopard – to know how easily it takes you from fashion observer to rock’n’roll player and I know which I would rather be.
This season Givenchy and Bottega Veneta sent animal print down the runway in all its glory.
There is feline fever everywhere and one glance at Equipment’s collaboration with Kate Moss confirms that it’s not going anywhere soon.
High street stores have been quick adopters of the trend, with Topshop offering an awesome leopard-print maxi dress.
Mango has an animal-print blouse that will allow me the opportunity for double leopard on days when double denim seems too dull.
But which coat to buy?
The showstopper is Alice + Olivia’s faux-fur Montana peacoat; Wear with skinny leather trousers and Sam Edelman leopard pumps for a seriously good outfit.
Tabitha’s leopard lust-have:
Kate Moss for Equipment Lake leopard-print pajama shirt, £335, and Avery pajama pants, £360, both from net-a-porter.com. “For wearing curled up in front of the fire, or even to a drinks party if you are feeling particularly brazen”
Tabitha’s Instagram of the week: “I’m plugged into the Miha Bodytec system. Apparently it gets you fit without breaking a sweat!”
EMILY JOHNSTON: US-born, London-based Emily of the hugely popular blog Fashion Foie Gras loves leopard but only in small doses.
"Less is more", she urges us.
Keep it tasteful with accessories and accents!
If there is one thing I know absolutely for sure, it is this – leopard will always have a place in fashion, always. This trend has played a huge role in every collection since the dawn of animal print… yet I will never forget the mistakes made by many in wearing leopard print from head to toe.
The last thing you want to look like is safari fashion roadkill.
My advice with leopard is to use it as a fashion accent.
Keep it simple, low key and classy. I do not recommend going for leopard print in epic fashion form. I could never imagine leopard trousers or a full-on overcoat – it brings back memories of Naomi Campbell in Italian Vogue from 1991… the only thing you saw was leopard.
Instead, follow in the footsteps of current fashion icons. Look at Miranda Kerr’s use of leopard-print shoes to give a flash of style, or take a cue from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who lugs leopard in the crook of her arm with a beautiful animal-print tote.
Shopping the trend has never been easier. From high end to high street, designers are offering leopard print in every imaginable way, with every buy an investment in your fashion future. Look to Marks & Spencer for leopard-print shoes, or grab a J Crew leopard Signet bag for an easy accent… love!
For designer budgets, put your money in a Hill & Friends leopard-print tote or a Givenchy oversized cashmere scarf. A giant animal-print scarf will keep you warm and will look fabulous. Wrap up and wait for the comments on your stylish choice to roll in.
Emily’s leopard lust-have:
Aspinal of London Power Clutch (charges your iPhone as well as being a chic accessory), £250; visit aspinaloflondon.com
Tabitha’s Instagram of the week: “Who says you can’t wear white into winter? Breaking the rules and loving it!”
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This dress be found in our collection here on our site.
]]>This dress be found in our collection here on our site.
]]>Well, if it's good enough for Duchess of Cambridge AND Holly Willoughby, then it's definitely good enough for us mere mortals!
]]>Well, if it's good enough for Duchess of Cambridge AND Holly Willoughby, then it's definitely good enough for us mere mortals!
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Emily Johnston, AKA the creator of the hugely popular fashion blog Fashion Foie Gras, had a wander down Elizabeth Street recently and discovered some fashion delights, among them the Tabitha Webb boutique! Here is her account of finding this 'goldmine' in Belgravia...
Ugh. So here's the thing.
For those of you that know me, and know me well (yes, you can count yourself if you've been reading FFG from the start), you'll understand that I like to think I know it all. Ok, I can't possibly know it all. But, after living in London for 14 years, I like to think I know just about everything there is to know about shopping.
I've been the go-to girl for years for friends and family visiting who want to know where they should set up camp for super shopping sprees and I've delivered excellent advice for over a decade thus far. Never a complaint has come my way after setting up "spending itineraries."
Only now, I am afraid I have to admit that I don't actually know everything.
This admission comes with a bit of a twist, however, as the "not knowing" has led to a brilliant new discovery - Belgravia's Elizabeth Street.
I've been to Elizabeth Street before - briefly, and wearing blinders, as it would seem. A few years ago I appeared on the street for a quick blow-dry at Blo by Realhair (excellent, by the way). I hopped out of the cab for the blow-dry and quickly hoped in another one after I was finished.
What was I thinking?
The answer is - I wasn't.
If only I had seen the goldmine laid out before me. The treasure trove of shopping delights was just there at my fingertips and I was too concerned with making a meeting on time to lift my head and take a look around.
Lesson learned and that leaves us where we are today.
Last week I set aside a morning to fully explore Elizabeth Street, with the idea of introducing this new discovery to you properly.
Such a dignified area deserves a polite introduction to the masses.
There are dozens of shops on Elizabeth Street, and they are all meant to be explored and enjoyed, from pastry shops to clothing brands with heart.
For this trip to Elizabeth Street, I thought I'd focus in on what we do best here - fashion. Ok, just one thing. Before we kick off officially with the fashion of Elizabeth Street - make sure you start your morning shop with a cake and a coffee at Peggy Porschen (pictured above). This will set you up nicely for the sweet wardrobe treats that follow...
What can I say about Tabitha Webb?
Well, I guess I should start with the most important glowing endorsement: Princess Catherine and Pippa Middleton are massive fans - and with good reason: Tabitha's dresses are one of a kind and all around fantastically flattering.
And Tabitha herself?
Well, I have a new girl crush - that's for sure. This is a designer who bares her soul on her garments. Her personality is every bit as addictive as the pieces hanging on racks in her store.
Visit for: A dress to make you stand out from the crowd. Think Princess glamour.
Read the original post here.
Follow @FashionFoieGras on Twitter!
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