If you’ve ever thought leopard print was just for neutrals—think again. In fact, we challenged ourselves using unexpected colors for the idea of how to style leopard pants.
I wanted to veer this direction since I’ve already styled them with brights, muted colors, denim, neutrals, and print mixing in the past.
Quote of the day: “The test of a student is not how much he knows, but how much he wants to know.” Alice Rollins
Beware, these aren’t your typical pairings. I asked GPT what unexpected colors we could use with leopard pants. And we complied with its suggestions.
Our examples show how varied leopard pants can be. The colors and size of print can vary along with the silhouette of the pants.
Style tip: Do you have a pair of leopard print workout leggings or pajamas? I bet you could style those for a casual day, and no one would know their origin. Remember, the best practice is to stop categorizing our clothing.
Why Leopard Pants?
Let’s face it—animal prints have become a neutral in their own right. Think of them the same way you’d think of stripes or polka dots.
Style tip: Some leopard print pants look like polka dots from far away when they are a smaller leopard print. Or if the print is darker, it can look like a solid from far away (similar to Valerie’s example).
What I’m trying to say is they aren’t all created equal, so don’t count them out if they “sound” too bold.
Leopard print is playful, sophisticated, and adds visual interest without being over-the-top. Sure, you read that leopard print is not trending one season, but then it’s back. It’s one reason we have to stop being too influenced by the trend pushers.
That’s why we’re huge fans of incorporating leopard pants into outfits. The print comes back almost every year and is found in all kinds of clothing or shoes.
For today’s idea, instead of sticking to black or white tops, let’s shake things up. Here’s how to style our leopard pants with colors you may not have considered.
As much as I love my site, Jodie’s Touch of Style, I really enjoy putting together my daily emails. I consider my emails an extension of my blog that is chock-full of positive inspiration that one friend calls a “Variety Show.”
I include articles, videos, and posts that strike my fancy, and since I have no siblings to share with, I share them with you.
1. Valerie-Olive Green & Leopard Pants
I think the reason this works is because both tones feel rooted in nature—think of a safari setting or forest floor. The print blends beautifully with the green without feeling forced.
Olive green is also more muted than the other unexpected colors explored in how to style leopard pants. So it may not feel as scary or bold if you’re just starting your fashion journey.
Valerie‘s Look:
Valerie wore her leopard pants with a flowy olive green blouse. The blouse was relaxed and casual, and she paired it with minimal black sandals and gold layered jewelry. Notice how she chose a neutral bag with texture—it added dimension and texture.
Valerie’s leopard pants are very dark with little contrast. In fact, when I first saw them, I thought they were solid black.
Details:
-Valerie struggled with this neckline and her bra straps showing, so she ended up wearing a sports bra that had the same colors in it. I LOVE how it adds another fun element, as well as it looks cool from the back.
-She used gold accessories with her earrings and necklace.
2. Cathie-Royal Blue & Leopard Pants
Royal blue may seem like an odd choice with leopard at first, but let me assure you—it’s a showstopper.
The rich, saturated tone offers a strong contrast to the brown tones in the leopard print, creating a look that’s both unexpected and confident.
Cathie’s Look:
Cathie went with a sleeveless royal blue top, allowing the color to really pop against her cuffed leopard pants. Her brown crossbody bag with fringe detail added a boho twist, while black sneakers kept the look modern and comfortable.
Details:
-Cathie has 4 different pairs of these sneakers from Walmart in different colors. She loves their comfort and wears them with everything.
-Even though the purse blends in with her jeans, it stands out because of the amazing fringe.
3. Jodie-Blush Pink & Leopard Pants
This combination is all about mixing softness with sass. Blush tones help soften the edgy vibe of leopard pants, creating a feminine yet contemporary look.
Jodie’s Look:
I chose a sleeveless blush pink vest to pair with my wide-leg leopard pants. Since I kept the rest of the look simple, I played up my accessories with turquoise earrings and blush pink sneakers.
Details:
-I even added a brooch to the cat on my purse since it’s a textured material.
-The bracelet is one of my bendable necklaces. One reason I love it is that it doesn’t move around like bangle bracelets do.
4. Charlotte-Mustard Yellow & Leopard Pants
Yellow is having a moment—and it’s not just for fall! It pairs wonderfully with leopard print because it usually brings out the warm, golden tones in the pattern. However, even with my mom’s white/black leopard jeans version, it creates a wonderful contrast.
The combination is cheerful, bright, and a little retro in the best way.
Mom’s Look:
My mom layered a short-sleeve mustard yellow jacket over an ivory sleeveless turtleneck. Her grey-based leopard pants added a twist to the traditional print, and those mustard yellow sneakers tied everything together.
Details:
-Mom’s ivory sleeveless turtleneck takes on a yellowish tint when paired with a colorful cardigan this way.
-Notice that her leopard pants are more black and white based as opposed to brown and black.
Final Thoughts: Breaking the Leopard Print Rules
First, I love that we showcased how leopard pants don’t have to be old-lady sexy or edgy. It’s a versatile staple that can be styled with unexpected colors to reflect your personality and mood.
Here are a few thoughts if you’re ready to experiment:
- Don’t treat leopard like a “print-only-with-neutrals” piece. It pairs beautifully with color—especially bold or earthy tones.
- Balance can help. If you’re just starting to work with the print, to make it less overwhelming, use the guidelines that if your top is bright, keep accessories muted. If your pants are dramatic, keep the silhouette simple. But after you’ve worn them a couple of times, you can go bold and try all the ways.
- Mixing textures makes a difference. Different fabrics help create interesting outfits.
Shop Similar Pieces:
Of course, color is only one aspect of how to style leopard pants. The silhouette and fit, along with shoe choice, can also make a difference.
I’ve sprinkled two widgets in the article to show you the wide range of different shapes and sizes of leopard pants.
Insider tip: While most stores will present the models wearing something neutral to show off the item they are trying to sell, it’s never bad to analyze the details. You can get good ideas of what types of tops work with the shape of the pants and footwear options.
Just remember, there are a ton of other ways to wear them.
And you can’t always take those photos to heart. A couple, I noticed, were way too long for the models shown.
Thank you
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