These Leopard Print Shoes Are Non-Boring, Cool and the Secret to Elevating Basic Outfits

As a fashion writer, I’m constantly on the hunt for pieces on the cusp of turning mainstream. Leopard print shoes are a style that’s excluded from this category, with the animal fabric already covering every shoe trend and type imaginable. When you can’t beat them, you join them, which has led me to a quest to uncover the best leopard print shoes for myself.

The adage “a leopard doesn’t change its spots” might ring true, but as evidenced by the plethora of leopard print shoes currently available, it’s clear that there are variants that are a cut above the rest.

The feline pattern first appeared on the runway in 1947—an arrival made possible by Christian Dior’s debut collection in a design he entitled “Jungle”. Since the mid-century, leopard print has dotted the creations of French maisons like Saint Laurent and Alaïa and London-based labels including labels Charlotte Simone and House of Sunny. By the ‘90s, leopard print dominated the trend cycle and could be seen anywhere from the screen (The Nanny’s Fran Fine) to the street (Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s street style.)