Style Secret: How To Wear Leopard Without Looking Smutty, Silly, Or Straight Up Cliche

First things first: animal prints are not a trend. They're as timeless as the Little Black Dress--just ask Catherine Deneuve--and should be treated as such. That means when you wear leopard, you're going for elegance and simplicity, not in-your-face sexuality. Keep reading to find out the Dos and Don'ts of wearing animal prints.

DON'T: Leopard print already has inherently sexy connotations--don't venture into overkill territory by adding a trench coat, which also calls to mind some pretty revealing thoughts (having a reputation as a cougar doesn't help the look much, either!). Double leopard print is an obvious no-no, so pick one piece only and play that up. It's also best to avoid pairing animal prints with red or hot pink shoes (a common and terrible mistake!), lace, sequins, rhinestones, or anything else that makes it feel like a late 80s costume. Too much cleavage is similarly damaging to your look--again, there's enough sex appeal in the fabric itself! Repeat after me: LESS IS MORE!