From Rachel Green to Kate Moss and Hailey Bieber, leopard print coats have been favoured by It-girls both on and off-screen for years – and for good reason. In fashion speak, the spotted pattern is considered a neutral because of its endless versatility. Just this year, the style set made a strong case for leopard print jeans and shoes but, inevitably for winter, it’s leopard print coats we keep seeing everywhere.
Spotted on the street style crowd at fashion weeks around the world, for AW24 leopard print coats are taking a massive step away from the Mob Wife character with which they were previously synonymous. Instead, you have high fashion adopters such as Alaïa, Saint Laurent, Dior and Toteme to thank for its transition to a sleeker, polished and modern design.
Imbued with a timeless appeal, take cues from fashion insiders and opt for tailored longline silhouettes with smoother, flatter fabrics this season. Although we won’t be replacing our trusty black and navy wool coats just yet, a leopard print design is the perfect statement piece to jazz up just about any outfit. Elevate your everyday T-shirt and faded denim look with the spotted topper or look, perhaps, to Bieber, who paired her Toteme coat with the viral Intimissimi jumper, wide leg jeans and red Sambas for date night. For a more festive dress code, pair a leopard print coat with your favourite black dress and knee-high boots for a femme fatale vibe.
Should you wish to splash out, there are plenty of designer options, with the Toteme coat being a particular favourite amongst fashion editors and celebrities alike. But for those us who didn’t quite budget spending a few thousand on outerwear this year, the good news is that the high street has happily adopted the chaotic neutral, too. The one I’m wearing on repeat? The Marks & Spencer Animal Print Longline Coat, £79. Newly released, the coat is still in stock (for now) and looks expensive despite the affordable price tag.
www.marksandspencer.com
Marks & Spencer boasts an incredible collection of polished outerwear, including this impeccably tailored longline coat. Wear with pleated trousers to work and mini skirts to parties.
Mango’s leopard coat, meanwhile, has an oversized, boxy fit which will work well for the office when paired with tailored trousers and a button-down. Elsewhere, Sister Jane has a frilly and feminine cropped option that’s sure to be a date-night favourite. Scroll ahead to shop our favourites.
Shop: The Best Leopard Print Coats
www.massimodutti.com
If it's a cropped coat you're after, Massimo Dutti's wool-blend design makes for a great throw-over-everything jacket.
sisterjane.com
Featuring ruffle-edged pocket flaps and a bow neck-tie, it doesn't get cooler than Sister Jane's Lola Jacquard jacket. We highly recommend leaning onto the sweet aesthetic and styling it with a floaty dress and ballet flats.
www.farfetch.com
Celebrity-favourite and fashion editor-approved, Toteme's single-breasted coat is made from 100% calf leather and is every bit an investment piece.
www.freepeople.com
Another great leopard print coat, this one from Free People features faux fur and exaggerated collars. Channel Alexa Chung's cool indie vibe and style it with black skinny jeans and biker boots.
www.riverisland.com
Tailored for a longline silhouette with notched lapels, River Island's Jacquard coat will lend a dramatic edge to jeans and jumpers and will look equally nice with dresses for more formal occasions.
www.johnlewis.com
We love an oversized jacket and this cotton-blend Mango design is the most stylish layer you'll wear this season.
www.sezane.com
Sézane's signature Parisian minimalism is evident in the Noah jacket. Made from wool and kid mohair, style the baseball collar jacket with cropped jeans and trainers for an elevated casual look.
www.farfetch.com
Every wardrobe needs a classic trench coat for winter and this Theory design will undoubtedly add a much-needed dramatic flair to your cold-weather wardrobe.
www.newlook.com
New Look's Gini Jacket, with its faux fur design and oversized draped fit, is the perfect throwback piece that you'll find works surprisingly well with everything from flared trousers to mini skirts.
Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commercial content writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet’s most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.