Leopard print is here to stay: Like jeans and a white T-shirt, the playful pattern is now officially a wardrobe staple - here's how to wear it

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreOver my two decades in fashion, the one trend I've always dreaded the return of is leopard print. It's not for me; I don't do prints. A Breton stripe is as far as I'll go.But over the last few years, I've noticed that the interval between leopard trends has shrunk from once a decade to once every couple of years.And now it turns out that leopard isn't 'back' for autumn 2026; it has finally been promoted to 'wardrobe staple'. Vogue insists that 'leopard isn't a fleeting trend but a pattern with real staying power'. My most fashionable friends seem to agree. And the designers do too. A quick search on Net-a-Porter produces 127 leopard print pieces, from dresses to shoes. One hundred and twenty-seven! Perhaps the die was cast when legendary street fashion photographer Bill Cunningham said: 'All the sophisticates wear leopard.' At this point, not owning at least one leopard print piece is like not owning a pair of jeans or a white T-shirt. Leopard for autumn is much like florals for spring: essentially uniform. It's time for me to get on board. Here's how you can too.DRESS IT UPIf you're going to do leopard, I suggest you dive straight in with a dress. M&S's leopard-print dress, £45, is leopard as nature intended: a traditional spot, true to scale. No lurid colours or oversized patterns. The sleeveless bodice and flowing midi skirt make it easy to wear, and it's available in petite, regular and tall lengths, in sizes 6-24. For something looser, with less cling, look to Rixo (£215). Its casual cotton midi dress has a scoop neck that is particularly flattering on a fuller bust. Keep the accessories simple: a ballet pump now, knee-high boots when the weather turns. And never underestimate the power of a flash of red lipstick. It will take either dress from day to evening in seconds.BAGS OF STYLEHistorically, leopard has been a print for extroverts, but the whole point is that this has changed. Nonetheless, if you're approaching it with trepidation, an accessory is the obvious place to start. Massimo Dutti's oversized leopard tote (£450) is top of my wishlist. Crafted from cowhide leather with a fur finish and animal-print pattern, it looks outlandish compared with my usual dark-blue totes, but is, in fact, a very sensible everyday bag. If this still feels like too much of a commitment, you can proceed more cautiously with Mango's leather shoulder bag (£94.99). A flash of leopard against a pared-back outfit is all you need to make it feel considerably more interesting. For something more affordable, turn to Damson Madder's canvas shopper (£38).LET YOUR TOP DO THE TALKINGStart with one statement piece that you genuinely love. Hush's short-sleeve leopard blouse (£85) is relaxed and easy to wear: the perfect 'nice top' to go with your nice jeans. If you want something more understated, a button-through cardigan is the answer. This classic-cut version from Boden (£75) ticks all the right boxes. I'll be wearing mine as a top, without anything underneath, open at the neck and left slightly undone at the bottom, with black tailored trousers. It's leopard, but not too leopard. Perfect if you're a print-phobe.BEST FOOT FORWARDFor those of you who remain hesitant, one way to dip your toes into the trend is through footwear. Leopard print shoes are one of the easiest ways to add a little excitement to an otherwise ordinary outfit. When it comes to heels, don't go higher than a kitten. Try these slingbacks from ASOS (£24), or opt for a pair of loafers, such as these snaffle-detail styles from Mint Velvet (£99). The beauty of a printed shoe is that it does all the work for you. I love Anonymous Copenhagen's Mary Janes (£275). Wear them with an entirely black outfit, and you'll find they pull the whole look together.JACKET REQUIREDWe're not talking about a traditional leopard print coat; what you want is a jacket. And a transitional style is exactly what you're after, like Sézane's wool-and-mohair bomber with its trendy baseball collar (£175). It will work over a simple vest now, as well as layered over knitwear when the temperature drops. If you want something more substantial, Baum und Pferdgarten's longline design with a contrast collar is on sale at Flannels, reduced from £319 to £225. A worthwhile investment.