How to Style Leopard Print Pants: Colors and Outfits

Style leopard print pants with calm, plain pieces in cream, white, beige, brown or black: the leopard pants take the lead, the top stays simple, and the wider the pants, the narrower the top. A second bold pattern alongside is better left out.

Leopard print has a reputation that no longer does it justice. Many people still think of the pattern as loud and flashy, yet it can be worn like a calm base color. Once you keep a few simple things in mind, leopard print pants become a piece you actually wear often. You will find current styles among our leopard print pants for women.

Why leopard print works almost like a neutral

In its classic form, the pattern is made up of beige, sand, brown and black. These are exactly the tones already sitting in most wardrobes.

That is why leopard print is so easy to combine. It brings structure to an outfit without adding a new color you would first have to juggle.

The pants take the leading role. Everything else can stay calm.

Which colors go with leopard print pants?

If you are unsure, reach for one of these four routes. Each of them works reliably.

• Cream, white and off-white. Takes the heaviness out of the pattern and looks fresh for summer.
• Beige, camel and brown. Picks up the print’s own tones for an especially harmonious line. More on beige is in the guide “What color goes with beige”.
• Black. Makes the look clearer and more elegant. More on black is in the guide “What color goes with black”.
• A color accent. A top in a rich shade works, as long as the rest stays calm.

What you should rather avoid is a second bold pattern alongside it. Two prints competing for attention make the look busy.

Which top goes with leopard print pants?

The wider the pants, the calmer and narrower the top. That is the whole rule. It is explained in detail in how to style loose pants.

In practice: a bandeau top, a simple strappy top or a slim T-shirt give the silhouette structure. You will find simple tops among our basic tops. Tuck longer tops loosely into the front of the waistband and let the rest fall.

An open blouse or a light shirt on top completes the look without weighing it down. How else to wear such a blouse is shown in how to style a muslin blouse. Our photo above is built exactly that way: wide leopard pants, a simple cream top and an open white muslin blouse.

One Size is not standardized and can vary by style. The available sizes, the material and the product photos are shown for each item.

Leopard print is not just pants

If patterned pants feel like too much, start smaller. A leopard blouse or a long sleeve top with the print brings the same theme in a smaller dose. You will find styles among our leopard blouses. The basic rules for leopard print still apply.

Then it works the other way round: the patterned top leads and the bottom stays plain. A leopard top with black pants is one such case that almost always looks coherent.

Leopard pants outfit: three ideas to recreate

• Relaxed summer day. Wide beige leopard pants with a cream top and flat sandals. For cooler evenings, bring an open white muslin blouse.
• For appointments and the office. Leopard pants in a calm shade, a simple blouse tucked in at the front and a shoe with a small heel. A fine cardigan turns it into a look for the whole day.
• Out in the evening. Leopard pants with a simple black top and heeled sandals. Keep jewelry minimal: a fine gold necklace and small hoops.

Which shoes go with leopard print pants?

With wide pants, the shoe helps decide how the pants fall. A small heel of three to five centimeters is usually enough.

Flat sandals and sneakers work just as well, as long as the hem does not drag on the floor. In fall, simple black or brown ankle boots work under tall-length pants. A practical tip: put your shoes on first and then check the pants in the mirror.

Leopard pants in fall and winter

Leopard pants are easy to wear through the cold season when the pieces around them get warmer. A chunky sweater in cream or black, loosely tucked in at the front, keeps the top calm.

• Knitwear: sweaters and cardigans in brown, camel or black pick up the colors of the print.
• Jacket: a coat or short jacket in a neutral shade leaves the leading role to the pants.
• Shoes: ankle boots with the hem falling over the shaft go well with wide cuts.

Shop the look: leopard print pieces and wide leg pants for women.

Frequently asked questions

What goes with leopard print pants?

Plain tops in cream, white, beige, brown or black go with leopard print pants because they pick up the tones of the pattern. A color accent works too, as long as no second pattern is added.

Which shoes go with leopard print pants?

Flat sandals and sneakers for everyday, heeled sandals or a shoe with a small heel for the office and evening, and ankle boots in fall. The hem should not drag on the floor.

Can I wear leopard print with black?

Very well, in fact. Black makes the print clearer and more elegant and is a simple combination if you want to ease into it slowly.

Do wide leopard pants add bulk?

That depends mainly on the proportions. A high waistband, a slim or front-tucked top and a flowing fabric create a long, calm line.

Is leopard print still in style?

Leopard print is now considered a neutral building block, similar to denim or stripes, and can be seen again and again across many seasons.