Forget Florals, Leopard Print Is The Big Hit Of Summer 2024 – And Here’s How To Do It Right

Maya Jama's washboard abs weren't the only surprise at last week's Serpentine Summer Party, which, held a few days after the summer solstice, is always a staging area for sultry-hot trends. Basically, if you see it at the Serpentine, you know it's going to be huge. And, thanks to Jama, it's about time you dug out your leopard print.

You see as well as the impressive musculature, the presenter arrived wearing a chiffon leopard-print beach top with a matching scarf, pairing the duo with a bikini top and black trousers (all by Nina Ricci). It was the summer version of the mob wife aesthetic, which is about to have a second wind. And she's not the only celebrity to, once again, hear the siren call of leopard spots.

Lupita Nyong'o stepped out in head-to-toe leopard print on the promo trail for A Quiet Place: Day One, wearing a lace-trimmed slip dress from Betsey Johnson, as well as leopard-spotted slingbacks from Giuseppe Zanotti. In surprising news to absolutely no one, the look was 10/10.

Finally, Simone Ashley, who wore a Dolce & Gabbana leopard-print mini dress to this year's Cannes Film Festival; a corset-style number that she paired with Ilio Smeraldo mules and a Prada bag for the win.

Of course the good news if you're not heading to a film premiere's step-and-repeat but a destination that is significantly less glamorous is that, as well as sexpot leopard print, there's also a very relaxed take on everyone's favourite spots for summer 2024.

Leopard-print jeans are as impactful as they are easy to wear, while spotted paperbag-waist shorts, sarong-style skirts and, of course, slip dresses are also trending. Thing is though, you've probably got a whole load of leopard print knocking around your wardrobe because it never really went out of style. Aspiring mob wives might wear theirs with chunky gold jewellery, firetruck red nail polish and stilettos - and, to be frank, would look fabulous - but you can also dial the sizzle-factor down with retro trainers or fisherman's sandals.

Shop: The Best Leopard Print Pieces For Summer 2024

Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).