Leopard print – the final frontier in menswear?
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Version 0 of 1. Some fashion trends are never going to go mass, especially in menswear. Take animal print. It is no doubt laughable in certain quarters, confined to the wardrobes of showmen such as David Bowie or Rod Stewart. But like tie-dye, which had a mini-moment earlier this year, clothes that make a statement will always find an audience. Leopard skin is no exception. And before anyone gets worked up – no, I’m not saying it’s the new navy. Animal print accessories are one of the easiest places to start. The high street will service you well with leopard skater shoes that are easy to slip on with jeans or, if you want to deviate slightly from straight-up leopard, Nike’s Jordan Spizike hi-tops come decorated with an alternative “elephant” print. Designer brands, from Valentino (trainers) to Saint Laurent (backpacks), are also ticking the animal-pattern box this season, although if I were dipping my toe into leopard, I’d blow the budget with a Christopher Kane cashmere scarf. Jolly knitwear – from fuzzy fronts to graphic slabs of colour – is in endless supply this winter, so an animal-patterned sweater is another route in. London-based knitwear trio Sibling is a good first port of call: this season they’ve fused red leopard with Fair Isle into one jumper. For something a tad more stealth – yes, animal print doesn’t have to shout – try Gucci’s cashmere crew neck, which wouldn’t look out of place under a suit jacket for a relaxed evening look. Reiss has also come up trumps with its cotton plum crew knit, which will definitely turn heads during the festive season, which is sometimes the point, isn’t it? Plus, everyone knows that party jumpers are the new party shirts this winter. (Note: if you still want a party shirt, ASOS is doing leopard ones). Finally, if all else fails, make your leopard look go with a Saint Laurent pout and swagger. Animal patterns are the perfect rock’n’roll motif for Hedi Slimane’s revved-up clothes for the French house – and this autumn’s nippy runway bikers, featuring slabs of leopard, have been a sellout. I was going to leave you with the warning that the only thing not to do with leopard is to wear it on your legs (thanks, Rod Stewart). But then, Sir Paul Smith’s narrow leopard-print slacks are actually surprisingly palatable. If you think of them as an alternative to the tuxedo trouser and don’t ask anyone if they think you’re sexy, you should be just grand. |