If you have been looking around the shops recently (on the High Street or online) you will probably have noticed there are a few trends emerging for the new Autumn Winter fashion season.
The colour burgundy and all shade variations of red wine along with leopard prints seem to be featured by many retailers at the moment and not just as clothing but in accessories such as trainers too! This got me thinking about how you can wear these two trends whilst still standing out from the crowd so with blog writing in mind I started thinking what the collective name is to describe a group of leopards!
It took me back to a primary school homework a long time ago that was about finding the names of collective groups of animals that I hadn’t a clue had a collective name - except back in those days, it meant a trip to the local library to find an encyclopaedia the size of your doorstep with the answers unlike the tech solutions we have at our finger tips today, so I decided to ask Google for some help!
Have you ever tried Googling “what do you call a group of leopards?” The response I got made me feel like I was chatting with a pedantic teenager who sees themselves as an “expert” and lets face it …. Who knows? …. I probably was!
The first answer I got was “Leopards don’t live in groups they are solitary animals apart from when they are cubs in the wild and live with their mother for the first two years of the life”. Ok then …
So after refining the question a bit good old Google told me there are actually 3 names for a group of leopards (even though they don’t hang about in groups), a leap, a leape, a lepe and a snarl. (I know …. That’s actually 4 names isn’t it? apparently the writer thinks one of the lepe or leape is just a misspelling that stuck!) so I was starting to get a bit suspicious. Especially when it went on to say that a group of Snow Leopards (who presumably don’t hang around in groups either) are called a flurry, a drift, a ghost, a rosette or an avalanche! Really??? Or are you winding me up?!
Short of looking up wildlife expert Steve Backshall on Instagram and messaging him to ask I don’t think I will ever know if this is right or if it is the homework of a teenager that they’ve somehow published online !!!!
So coming back to my original line of thought and forgetting what the collective name for leopards is, how do you stand out from the crowd when wearing leopard print!! (or from the couch in that episode of BBC Comedy ‘Mandy’ wearing head to toe leopard print lying on a leopard print sofa and missing her date with Paddy Mcguinness!)
And how can you wear leopard print when your own style personality is not particularly confident in wearing bold prints and patterns?
Don’t worry – Tortue have got you covered … literally!
If not confident with the print, then just wear it in small amounts to begin with.
This loose fit Short Trench Coat in Sand is available in sizes UK6 to UK18 and features a funky leopard print lining inside. You can choose to turn back the cuffs of the sleeve to “flash the cat” or wear undone in a relaxed style for a glimpse of the fab lining as you – move too!
The contrasting stripe drawstring waist belt helps you adjust your fit and with popper fastenings its so easy to wear and a great layering piece going into the changeable weather that Autumn brings too.
The new Urban Edge Collection Weekend T-Shirt in Grey features a subtle leopard print making up the wording ‘Weekend’. This comfortable straight cut T comes in sizes UK6 to UK22 with a round neckline, short sleeves and a comfortable straight cut crafted from eco friendly super soft modal and cotton so part of our Planet Tortue Eco Range too!
Wear it dressed down style with jeans, as a layering piece beneath a jumper on a chilly day, or beneath the new Reversible Leopard Gilet in Anthracite instead! Wear with the grey fluffy side out to reveal a little “flash of cat” or wear full on leopard side outwards featuring a dark grey print on a brown background which isn’t too bright/bold.
Choosing to wear leopard print in your accessories is an option you can go for too, whether that is a print in footwear, bracelets, earrings, bags or scarves, simply choose a size and amount of print that matches your confidence in wearing it.
Whilst our traditional black/brown leopard print belt has completely sold out already, this supersoft Leopard Print scarf with small fringes is a decent size 66cm x 180cm for keeping out the cold and really looks great worn over the Short Trench Coat in Sand for keeping out the rain too!
Alternatively go for a tone on tone look with your tops/bottoms and use the scarf to add a bit of drama! You can choose to pick out the sand, browns, pinks or dark greys in your outfit to give a different feel to the overall effect or simply dress up a plain white shirt and a pair of blue denim jeans too! At only £39 this scarf makes the ideal gift so could be one to buy now and put away - remember that fewer quantities of items have been produced this year so they will sell through quite quickly and when they are gone … they are gone!!
To up the ante a little more, this same print as the scarf is available in the Reversible Leopard Jumper which you can choose to wear with a V neckline, or switch it around to pop the V to the back and wear as a boat neckline jumper instead.
Chic and bold, this leopard print jumper plays the comfort card with its soft jersey knit, dropped shoulders and long sleeves, yet its light enough to wear as a layering piece without you overheating too!
Dress down with denim jeans (dark or light) or dress up with more luxurious fabrics like our satin chocolate skirt or smart black trousers with chocolate biker jacket too This piece is super versatile and will help you create many different outfits for many different occasions.
BUT …
If you REALLY want to stand out from the crowd of “other” leopards … then think pink!
Our team have totally fallen in love with this gorgeous Leopard Blazer with a fitted cut and part of our Planet Tortue Eco Range too! It features a tailored collar, faux buttoned front, pockets, long sleeves and is a fully lined slim fit. To fully appreciate just how gorgeous, comfortable and versatile it is you really do have to try it on! Even if leopard is “not really your thing” I think you will be pleasantly surprised … and this jacket might just change your mind!
Dress it up … dress it down … it will see you through all seasons and a great addition to your wardrobe. Why not book an appointment with your local Tortue Stylist and go try it out for size ?? If you are not sure who is near to you simply ask in the online chat, or contact us at Tortue.uk from the “About Us” section on our website and we can let you know.
Thinking back to accessories, the NEW Leopard Print Pouches are a practical set of two - a larger zipped pouch and smaller zipped coin purse crafted from nylon attached to a metal key ring. It also comes in a bold pink/hazelnut striped version too! Another great gifting idea that we think may sell out quite quickly so another one to buy now rather than “snooze and lose”
Or raise the bar with our Romeo Leopard Purse which combines nylon and leather to create a bold yet practical accessory that perfectly matches the Leopard Blazer. With a zipped coin purse side and card wallet size you can store the essentials whilst looking stylish too! Great for those nights away when all you want to carry is your purse and room keycard. Simply team it with your Leopard blazer for full effect.
These pieces will all help you embrace the leopard trend but in a way that sees you through multiple seasons AND helps you stand out from the crowd (or Leap, Leape, Lepe or Snarl) of other leopards!
Maybe I should DM Steve Backshall after all – or David Attenborough?? Hmmmmm….
Angela x
