How to Wear Plaid + Leopard Print Together

Attempting to mix plaid and animal print can feel a little like stepping out on a limb…in the wind! But actually these two prints work well together and create a very modern and chic look if worn with confidence and a little know-how. You can definitely find examples of women going much “bigger” with this combination, but today I’m sharing a few tips for gently stepping out on this fashion limb. It’s just really not that hard to wear plaid and leopard print together.

Really the key to styling leopard or any other animal print is to remember that you can treat it like a solid color. I know that sounds counter intuitive, but that actually is the way your eye receives it. So feel free to pair your animal print shoes, handbag, belt or jacket with prints such as florals, polka dots, stripes or plaids.

In this post I’m simply pairing my leopard print flats or my leopard print belt with a red, black and white plaid shirt. I kept the rest of the outfit black. And that’s a good key to use when you’re just beginning to experiment with this combination. Solid black, navy, brown or white can act as an anchor for your outfit so that both the plaid and the animal print look intentional and well-planned.

Another great tip is to space the prints (the plaid and the leopard print, in this example) out — one on top, one on bottom. Then layer in neutral clothing in between to keep the look from becoming too busy or overwhelming.

But if you do want to put the animal print right up next to the plaid, like I did with my leopard print belt, just keep the rest of the palette neutral and monotone.

Remember, while I’m all for leopard print pants, skirts, dresses and jackets, just a subtle hint of the trending print can make an even bigger statement when placed strategically in an outfit. In fact, the case could be made that a small touch of leopard in a belt, shoes, handbag or scarf could look more sophisticated and chic.

I’ve enjoyed this simple, fairly inexpensive leopard print belt every bit as much as I have my leopard print shoes or clutch handbag. And it’s a Target find! Placed right up next to my plaid top in this otherwise black outfit, this belt really pops.

I chose to demonstrate this trend with a plaid shirt I already had in my closet (but it’s still available). However, I especially love leopard print when it’s paired with more colorful plaids, such as predominantly bright red, blue, turquoise or pink plaids.

If you’d like to read more about how to wear leopard print stylishly, you might want to check out my post 10 Tips for Wearing Leopard Print Without Going Wild.

Shop the Look Here:

I’m providing links to many of the items I’m wearing in this post. Plus I have links to some other great plaid shirts in case you’d like to try combining leopard with a bolder color combination. Keep in mind that some of the shirts are available in additional colors, so you’d need to click on through to see them. Thanks for shopping my affiliate links. I do earn a commission if you buy something through them, but at no cost to you.

What do you think? Have you tried pairing leopard or another animal print with a plaid, stripe, polka dot or floral print? How did it make you feel? I’d love to hear from you today.

I’ve linked today’s post to Jo-Lynne Shane’s Fashion Friday Link-Up, so be sure to check out the other great fashions featured there if you have a moment.

Blessed for My Day

Unfortunately a lot of the world would be surprised to discover that the biblical litmus test for a true Christ follower includes committed, fervent and persistent love for one another. Jesus said the world would actually discern that He is the true Son of God because they’d see and be amazed at the love His followers have for one another . And the apostle John wrote that if we don’t demonstrate love for one another we must not really love God either. 

Look, loving one another isn’t easy. We’re all different and do things that get on each other’s nerves, to say the least. But Jesus didn’t ask us just to put up with one another. He commanded us to love one another by being gracious, putting the other before ourselves, forgiving, listening, going the extra mile, serving one another and honoring each other. Today let’s consider those that make it hard to love them. But instead of getting all the more riled up about them, let’s ask God to soften our hearts toward them. And let’s take a step of love in their direction this week. Let’s do this thing.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. ~ 1 John 4:20-21