4 Ways To Wear A Leopard Print Blouse for Fall
This post is sponsored by Nordstrom. Thanks for supporting the brands that work with AWSL.
Leopard print is a huge trend for fall, but I’m convinced it never fully went away! For many women, it’s a timeless print that works year after year and never looks dated. Now that you’ll be seeing it everywhere, it’s a great time to figure out exactly how to style it in a fresh and modern way. One of the easiest ways is to use a leopard print blouse as a foundational piece. Today, I’ve partnered with Nordstrom to share four simple yet stylish ways I’ll be wearing a leopard print blouse this fall.
Choosing the Right Leopard Print
If you have a warm skin tone, classic brown, tan, and orange leopard prints will complement your undertones. For those with cooler skin tones like mine, look for leopard prints in shades of grey, black, or even navy, as they provide a chic contrast without overwhelming your complexion.
The {leopard print blouse} that I’m styling in today’s post is a neutral charcoal one from Rails with a low contrast. There are countless ways to style a leopard print top, and I’m sharing four ideas below for outfit inspiration.
How to Style a Leopard Print Blouse
1. Casual with Jeans
The most obvious and common choice for styling a leopard print blouse is with a great pair of jeans. I usually go for lighter washes of denim, like {the pair I have on}, to create a nice contrast with the bold print, but classic indigo, gray, or black jeans work just as well.
To keep things casual and comfortable, I’ll throw on a pair of sneakers or slip-ons along with a cardigan, like {this cream Rails one}, in case it gets cool. This cardigan is super soft, and I love its cropped length.
2. Tied up or Tucked in with a Denim Skirt
While the weather may not reflect that it is fall where you live, you can still dress like it with a transitional outfit. I paired the {same leopard blouse} with a denim maxi skirt and {sandals} for the warmer weather now. Notice how I tied the shirt at the waist of the skirt and rolled up the sleeves. This is a great way to make a leopard blouse work for you now.
The other part of this outfit that makes it work well is the {denim skirt}. Denim skirts have been popular over the last year or two and continue to be this year. The slit in the front lets air flow through. I went with the petite version in the Cloud Stone color to pull out the charcoal color from the blouse.
I took the same look from above and switched out a few pieces to make the outfit work for the cooler fall weather. {My favorite suede Munro Booties} help to bring out the light almond color in the shirt. I added the cream-colored Rails cardigan again, which works with all of the outfits I put together for another layer. When the weather cools off, you can add tights in a soft gray shade.
I love that Nordstrom carries a large selection of tights and underpinnings with lots of color options, and with their price matching, I know I’m also getting the best deal.
3. Layered With Cargo Pants
A more unexpected way to style a leopard blouse is with {these lantern cargo pants}. While cargo pants are more of a trend right now, I think that Eileen Fisher does them in a classic way that I can get behind; plus, I’m a huge fan of this washable crepe fabric.
The key to making this combination work is ensuring that the fit and tone of the cargo pants complement the boldness of the blouse. Opt for neutral-colored cargo pants, like {these dove-colored ones I have on}, to keep the focus on the leopard print. I love having the cuffs and bottom edge peeking out from under the sweater for a relaxed vibe and continuity.
{The ecru cotton sweater} tied around my shoulders is one that is worth the investment. It’s incredibly soft and won’t add too much warmth during the early fall season. It comes in 5 great colors, and I debated between Ecru and the Reed, which I also like with this combo.
4. With a Maxi Pencil Skirt
The final way to style {this leopard blouse} is with this maxi-length {pencil skirt}. Normally, I find long pencil skirts restrictive, but this one is far from that. It’s made of merino wool that has just the right amount of stretch and softness to it. Just like all of my other Eileen Fisher pieces, it is something I’ll have in my closet for years.
I tucked the {leopard blouse} into the skirt for a streamlined, slimming look, which accentuates the waist and gives a more polished appearance. To complete the look, I paired the skirt with these comfortable {chocolate brown knee-high boots} and the same {Rails cardigan}. I could easily change the shirt out for a white or cream one to change up this outfit for fall.
MORE LEOPARD PRINTS
Nordstrom has a lot of leopard print pieces to choose from this year. They offer unbeatable customer service and free shipping both ways, so you can try things at home and ship back what doesn’t work. They also offer BOPUS, ROTUS (reserve online, try on in-store), and curbside pickup. The Nordy Club is free to join here. As a club member, you get free alterations and earn points for every dollar you spend to use on future purchases.
Have you dabbled with leopard print this season?
I’m coming late to this week’s leopard print party (it’s been a hectic week) but am happy to see it in stores again. I’ve had a pair of leopard booties, a knit shell and a matching long knit jacket for several years. My most recent blouse purchase (2023) isn’t a print, though. I found a black blouse with little leopards/cheetahs that are sitting, standing and sleeping as the print. Right now, I’m considering buying a couple yards of a silky smooth leopard print faux fur fabric at my local fabric store. When I saw it, immediately visualized a scaled down 1960’s swing coat that one of my aunts owned when I was a little girl. I’m think it would make a nice transitional jacket and be fun to wear.
Animal prints are everywhere this fall. I liked the blouse you wore. The print is subtle and it goes with so many outfits.
I love that leopard print blouse! I noticed that in your previous post you were modeling a size small. In this post it says medium. I’m in between sizes, so please let me know if it is true to size. Thanks!
It does run true to size but I bought the M because it may “acccidently” go through my dryer because my husband often helps with the laundry.
I would like to say to the readers who are hesitant to wear leopard, I get you. It can look costume-y. A little goes a long way, for most women. Also, like with a lot of things, quality matters here.
I agree.
Love these fall looks! I have a leopard print blouse, tee, and scarf. I have my eye on some shoes as well! I always admire your blouse tied in the front look. I have tried to wear blouses that way, but never know what to do at the back. I know it is folded under, but do you have any tricks to keeping it from coming out when seated or bending over? Thanks for sharing your fashion and beauty tips with us!
I tend to tie it looser and lower then when I bend over it covers the gap. I also often where a thin cami tucked into my waistband which only shows if I bend way over.
I love animal prints, especially leopard. My favourite look is with denim e.g. denim shirt with leopard sweater or jacket. Also leopard booties with jeans. Wish I could find more cool tone animal prints though.
I have my eye out for them and will share what I find.
Thank you!
Jennifer, Chico’s has a cute animal print no-iron jacquard shirt in a color called Midnight Violet. It is STYLE: 570373055. I liked it so much that I ordered it!
I saw that! Thanks for sharing Sandra
Hi Jennifer,
I just got caught up on your Monday blog about contrast levels. 2 general questions: When taking photo, should you wear makeup or not? What contrast level is a red sweater and black slacks?
No foundation or blush is best. Depending on the red, that sounds like a medium to low contrast.
I think I have worn leopard print forever. I really like your blouse. To me it works like a neutral. So glad it’s cooling off.
Me too. I’m done with summer clothes.
Love these looks on you
♥️
Love the animal prints. Love your blouse.
Love the leopard print blouse with the skirt, cream cardigan and brown knee boots, Jennifer. Classy! Animal prints not usually my thing but you may indeed have tempted me to dabble:)
Subtle ones can be fun!
I’m with Leslie – not an animal print fan but love the skirt, sweater, print outfit. I’d change two things: I’d wear a darker print; and I’d cut 4-6 inches off the skirt. It looks nice when you are still but bunches when you move. I don’t wear cargo pants, but you rock that look.
This denim skirt is a maxi which is challenging in a stiffer fabric, for sure.
I have worn the leopard print since 1973 when I was young woman. I have three shirts and blousesin my closet and I am looking at another one. I will say in 1973 it was a bit funky but I loved it. I also have a leopard belt and I would love a leopard jacket.