How To Wear Leopard at Every Level

Happy Friday, Everybody!  I’m so excited because today’s post is one that I’ve been looking forward to for a couple of weeks now!  Y’all know that I love leopard, and I know that many of you love leopard too.  But I also know that there are some of you out there that want to love leopard, but you’re scared that it’s too bold…or too crazy…or that it’s “not you”.

I’m partnering up with Nordstrom and ShopStyle today to help demystify leopard for those of you that are unsure.  But I’ll also be celebrating leopard and highlighting some awesome leopard pieces for those of you who already love it!

So today’s post is both for leopard lovers and wannabe leopard lovers.

I’m going to show you several looks that have leopard featured in them, and the looks are divided into different levels.  I’m certain at least one of the levels/looks will appeal to each of you.  For leopard beginners, I’ll show how you can start with a small accessory like a scarf or belt.  If you’ve mastered rocking a small leopard print accessory, then you can graduate to leopard shoes!  And for those of you that are already full blown leopard lovers, well then I have a blouse for you that’s going to rev up your leopard lovin’ heart.

LEOPARD: LEVEL 1

Okay, so for those of you that are unsure about leopard, I want to start with something small so you aren’t having to spend a lot of money or make a huge statement.  A leopard belt is pretty much always a good idea, and it’s super easy to incorporate into an outfit, even for those of you that are a little bit scared.  It gives you just a hint of leopard, and it will ease you into wearing the print.

Click HERE to see the full post with the outfit below (and to see sizing information).  I loved pairing the leopard with the navy floral print.  (OH!  AND GREAT NEWS!  My favorite itty bitty boot cut jeans that previously sold out are now available in a bit darker wash and are fully stocked!)

navy floral blouse/ gold statement earrings / mixed metal necklace/ dark wash itty bitty boot cut jeans / similar cognac tote (from same maker) / cognac booties

Click HERE to see the full post of the next outfit, which is another great example of a Level 1 leopard outfit.  Here you can see how the leopard barely peeks out, but it still adds interest to the outfit!

striped tee / military jacket / $12 sunglasses / Sims stone necklace / gold statement earrings / leopard belt / Wit and Wisdom black jeans / similar cognac tote (from same maker) / cognac booties

A leopard clutch would be another great choice for a small leopard accessory.  Nordstrom has a great one that I’ve shown in lots of outfits over the last year or so, as seen below.  This clutch always snazzes up an outfit and is perfect for a date night or girl’s night out.  And it’s only $45!

outfit #1 HERE / outfit #2 HERE / outfit #3 HERE / outfit #4 HERE

An inexpensive leopard scarf is another great LEVEL 1 option.  It’s only going to set you back $19, so it’s totally low risk, but it does have a lot of impact!

Look how great the leopard looks with the hot pink!  #meow

Oh, and my boots?  THEY’RE GOOD.  I got the same Paloma boots in a neutral taupe last year and absolutely loved them.  They sold out very quickly last year, so when I saw them pop up in black this year, I scooped them up.  I LOVE THE WEDGE!  If you need the neutral pair, these are almost exactly the same (and from the same maker).

pink sweater / leopard scarf / earrings / jeans / tall wedge boots

Get The Look For Yourself Here!  Just click on what you are interested in.  And remember to click the heart if you want to get an alert if the piece goes on sale.

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LEOPARD: LEVEL 2

Level 2 looks are for those of you that are willing to spend a little more for your leopard piece, but you still don’t yet want to be screaming leopard.  The leopard in Level 2 outfits will still be an accent and not the main attraction.

The leopard slides in this outfit are understated, simple, and classic.  They enable you to incorporate just a hint of leopard into your outfit.  (Click HERE to see me wear the leopard slides with shorts and one of my favorite tops.)

In this look, my creamy sweater and regular denim got snazzed up with these leopard mules!

sweater / earrings / necklace / cognac tote / jeans / leopard slides

You see how I went very neutral with the outfit…but I added a pop of leopard in the shoes…and  a tiny pop in the earrings as well.  The leopard keeps things interesting.

Let’s talk about the shoes.  These leopard slides are the PERFECT transitional shoe.  (They are running low on stock, so click HERE for some other leopard mule options.)

Every year I talk about how I always think that footwear is so hard when going from season to season.  Well, these babies are what my transitional shoe dreams are made of!  You know that time of year, when you feel silly in flip flops or sandals, but you feel just as silly in a pair of boots?  Well, these will come through for you!  Some reviews say to size down, but my regular size 6 1/2s were perfect on me.  My heel hung off just a bit with the size 6s.

And if mules aren’t for you, click HERE for a pair of leopard flats that I’ve owned for 5 years.  They are tried and true, and I love them just as much now as when I first purchased them.  They are VERY comfy, true to size, have fantastic reviews, and will stand the test of time.  Also, look at the cute side splits on the jeans!

These jeans are new, and they’re good.  Really good.  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I’ve been receiving a good amount of requests for non-distressed jeans.  I ordered a ton to try out, and these are at the top of my favorites list!  They are a great dark wash, and they have no distressing and very little whiskering.  At 5’4″, they leave a little bit of ankle showing and hit me exactly where I want them to for flats, sneakers, and booties.  They are stretchy and comfy, but they hold their shape and don’t sag.  And I love the unfinished hem and tiny side splits.

For size reference, I went with my regular 27s.  Size down if between sizes.

The necklace is a great neutral that will go with everything, but it comes in a ton of color options.

Speaking of accessories, the earrings are fabulous.  They are so incredibly light and so gorgeous, but fair warning…don’t wear them unless you are prepared to receive compliments from strangers. Seriously.

I opted for this wine color, but they also come in a beautiful neutral palette, a stunning turquoise, and a fantastic multi color option!  (Click HERE to see them on me in an outfit with a wine colored top.)

The cognac tote is just as awesome as I hoped it would be. It’s very roomy inside, but the overall size isn’t overwhelming.  It has a zippered top, interior pockets, and can be carried cross body.

I love the whole outfit.  And just fyi, the tote is best carried cross body because the handles aren’t long enough to fit comfortably on your shoulder.  Luckily, I love carrying bags cross body and leaving my hands totally free.

Get The Look For Yourself Here.  Just click on what you are interested in:

And I’ve got a 2nd look for you Level 2 Leopard Lovers.  This one features my leopard booties.  They are true to size, comfy, and a great heel height at 2 1/4″ (not too tall, not too short).

I love leopard paired up with blush, so this sweater was perfect!  And I threw on grey jeans just to mix things up a bit.  These particular jeans are UNDER $60.  I love the dark grey color, the distressing, and the raw hem.  I sized up to a 7 for a more comfortable fit.

blush and wine sweater / earrings / necklace / cognac tote / distressed grey jeans / leopard booties

I’m wearing the same earrings and necklace as I was in the outfit before.  And I’m also carrying the same cognac tote.

And the blush and wine sweater is beautiful in person.  The soft blush color is so pretty, it’s incredibly soft, and I love the little bit of drama that the wine colored side split provides. I’m wearing my regular size small in the sweater, and I love the relaxed fit and longer length.

I love all of these colors together.  (And as much as I love blush with leopard, I also love Kelly green with leopard!  These booties would look great with this sweater as well.  Or this one!)

blush and wine sweater / earrings / necklace / cognac tote / similar grey jeans / leopard booties

Get The Look For Yourself Here!  Just click on what you are interested in:

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LEOPARD LEVEL 3

Level 3 is not for the cautious leopard lover.  This look definitely makes a statement and is more for those of you out there that are seasoned leopard lovers, like me.  #clubleopard #iloveleopard #itsaneutral #aneutralwithsass

leopard blouse / earrings / necklace / cognac tote / black jeans / cognac booties

I love mixing leopard with lots of different colors, but it’s also really great with just all of the neutral leopard tones as well.

Again, you can find great leopard blouse options HERE and HERE that have better stock.

The blingy bracelets are almost always in my bracelet stack these days, and this fun new colorful dot bracelet is going nicely with so many different outfits.

necklace / blingy bracelets / colorful disc bracelet

And I’m of course carrying the tote again.  Because it’s just that good.  And I think the jeans are the best black jeans out there.  So stretchy, so comfy, so flattering, and so affordable.  I’m wearing my regular 4s, but size down if between sizes.

Get The Look For Yourself Here!  Just click on what you are interested in:

So, have I done it?  Have I convinced those of you that have been wary about wearing leopard to give it a try?  And for you leopard lovers, do you have a new leopard piece on it’s way to you?  Please leave me a comment with your thoughts on leopard!!!

Before you go, since this post is sponsored by Nordstrom, I thought it was a good time to review some of the reasons that I love Nordstrom so much.  I get new followers all the time that share that they had never shopped at Nordstrom before my blog because they thought everything was too expensive.  New Nordstrom shoppers are always so surprised at all of the affordable options!  Something else you might not know if you’ve never shopped at Nordstrom before is that they have FREE SHIPPING and FREE RETURNS (ALL the time with EVERY order)!  And if you need something in a hurry, 2 day shipping is ONLY $9.  And 1 day shipping is ONLY $15!  I also have new readers ask me how the Nordstrom return policy is, and the answer is simple: THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

Another great perk I enjoy from Nordstrom is being in their REWARDS program.  Click HERE to read all about it, and if you are already in it, you can take advantage of TRIPLE POINTS right now!  I actually have $60 worth of Nordstrom Notes burning a hole in my pocket, but I expect that they will be gone by the end of the day.

A huge thank you to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post!  And remember to leave a comment with your stance on leopard!

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