Once upon a time, I had a boyfriend who despised leopard print. This was something of a problem, because I've got nothing but love and kisses for leopard and most other animal prints. The truth came out on day when I made the error of simultaneously sporting leopard print flats, a black winter jacket lined in leopard print (which I firmly believe should not have been counted against me as I wasn't wearing the damn thing inside out) and leopard print gloves. I mean, what was I supposed to do, leave the shoes to hibernate through the winter? Let my hands freeze? I don't think so, pal.
To his eye, leopard print looked cheap in any incarnation. And while I agree that in many cases, it can be tawdry - when it's short, tight, shiny, and/or paired with Daisy Dukes, to name but a few of these - but in a well-made, classically cut garment, it can look downright elegant. This pencil skirt from Elie Tahari is irrefutable proof that I win in Renee and Andrew's Point/Counterpoint on Leopard Print.
(Not that it makes any difference now. It's a moo point. It's like a cow's opinion - it doesn't matter. He moved to Michigan for grad school, whereas I have no intention of ever stepping foot in the state exclusive of when I have to go to Detroit for work in October, which incidentally will be an adventure in incorporating, like, bulletproof garments into my work outfits.)
Anyway. I particularly adore this ensemble because it's a twist on one of my go-to looks. Blouse - check. High waisted pencil skirt - check. Belt at the waist - check. High heels and a distinctive piece of jewelry - check. I've never been much for white button-downs, but this one's crisp simplicity makes a great counterpoint to the wildness of the print below, and its relaxed fit tempers the va-va-voom factor. And I'm always a sucker for accessories with an ethnic bent. Best of all, you could take this same skirt, pair it with a tight black tank and a pair of Mexican or Indian influenced chandelier earrings, and there you'd have just the thing for drinks on a Saturday night.
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