Leopard print coat mid 40's - a bit Bet Lynch?

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I've been toying with the idea of buying a leopard print coat.

I don't live in a big place so have wild ideas on what to wear but end up being more conservative for fear of what others think! Really stupid, I know, but I'm a bit shy.

Anyway, what do you think of leopard coats or jackets? Will it look a bit Bet Lynch or Liz McDonald? If I wear my usual boots and skinny jeans would it look ok?

Thank you

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Reading back I realise I've asked more than one question, so:

1. Do you think Bet Lynch when you see a leopard coat on a middle-aged woman?
   

1. Do you need to be very confident to carry one off?
   

1. If styled with skinnies and ankle boots would it actually look ok?

[AliciaMayEmory]

I'm 41 and have a leopard print coat, but in greys and blacks. I love it. Water it with both casual and smarter outfits, although I find it clashes with some other prints that I wear for work (the print clash look doesn't look good on me, but does on some people).

I'm not particularly confident and have had mixed reactions, but am sticking with it as I love it.

[QueenLetizia]

I think you have to be a brunette past a certain age.

I think they can look a bit Bet Lynch on a blonde after 40.

Maybe 45. No rules carved in stone but go easy.

Leopard print in grey/black is more wearable I think.

[QueenLetizia]

Can you do a link?
I'm mid forties and I'm intrigued now.

[mumchkin]

No I love them

[Trills]

Most people younger than you won't know who that is.

Caitlin Moran says that leopard print is a neutral.

I suspect it's like red lipstick - if you wear it, people will assume that you are "a person who is stylish enough to wear it".

[oigetoffmycheese]

Get one. I am mid forties and have had one for a few years now. It’s my favourite coat. Only good on a dry day though

[WildCherryBlossom]

You do have to be a little bit more careful with leopard print as a blonde (Caitlin Moran is brunette - it’s easier for her to treat it as a neutral). Maybe dress down slightly with skinnies and trainers to avoid the Bet Lynch thing. Go & try some on and see how you feel.

[chartreuse]

I have one and love it. I think the key is to keep everything else toned down, so jeans, sweaters and trainers rather than silk dresses and heels.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Trills I thought that when I used her as the example!

It's funny, because she ^is^ what I still think of when I see leopard. I have childhood memories of watching her on Coronation Street and even got then that she was supposed to be portraying a brassy character in her leopard coat.

I have a few leopard print things (shoes, bag and scarf) which I tend to wear with neutrals (black, grey and denim) but the coat is a bigger statement.

[Bluntness100]

I think it depends. I don’t particularly like leopard print and do find it not a good look, but I know others disagree. If it’s a,so fake fur, forget it,, but if it’s a more elegant shape and material, and you’re not blonde, it’s a possibility.

However ultimately it’s really only your opinion that matters. Wear what makes you happy.

[Gah81]

Go for it. Wear it with all black (or neutrals generally) and flats and big sunglasses. Think can look very chic - and actually think it looks better the older you get (especially past 60 - with a grey bob, black ballet pumps and black cigarette pumps)

Also depends on cut and how much you are willing to pay, I think.

[Trills]

The coat was definitely part of her characterisation. We were supposed to make assumptions about the character based on her outfits.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Yes Trills look what a quick google brought up. She's not the only one.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I was aiming for something along these lines....

[squoosh]

Well tickle my tits and call me Bet! I’m blonde, I’m 40, and I wear leopard print.

I don’t think all leopard print coats are born equal though. I don’t like the very plush ones, I prefer a smoother pile. I also prefer a print that isn’t too bright and/or pale. I generally wear it with black jeans, black, top and black ankle boots but am now tempted to go full on trash/glam and pair it with a gorgeous black leather midi skirt I have.

[Bumblina]

go for it.
leopard print is sassy.
looks great with red lippy and a cute pair of ankle boots

[MrsMacNally]

Think the only way to wear one is with cheerful irony, 100% embracing your inner Bet. It's attempting to swerve this that causes the problems.

[tellitlikeitispls]

I just sold mine. I was too self conscious. I bloody loved it though. It was this one. ( I dress retro normally)

[Arealhumanbeing]

It really depends how you wear it. Your example photos are perfect I think. Enjoy!

[lasttimeround]

The other way to avoid looking too done is going for a grunge look rather than a classy look. Jacket oversized. Everything else low key except maybe red lipstick. I don't know if I could pull it off past 40. But booths battered denim and jacket slung over the little sounds heavenly. But all depends on the style of the jacket really

[StatueInTheSky]

i go through phases of NEEEEEEEEEEDING a leopard print coat, and I can never find one I really like

as a pp said, I think the close velvety ones are nicer than the plushy skinned a million soft toys fabric look

I do have a lovely swing coat fake fur already though and opportunities to wear that are very limited so adding in a leopard print option seems extravagant.

[bingolittle]

Reading with interest as I'm in a very similar situation and planning to pair my (fabulously trashy fake fur) leopard coat with exactly that kind of outfit.

Cannot understand why I feel nervous about it - twenty years ago I'd have done it without a second thought. And I do think that older women can carry off this stuff, possibly even better than younger women (regardless of hair colour). (My own hair is tawny and actually looks great with the coat colour.)

I think I have to go wear it right now. My fear of looking like Bet Lynch is nothing compared with my fear of becoming the kind of person who's intimidated by her own coat! Life is too short...

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

"My fear of looking like Bet Lynch is nothing compared with my fear of becoming the kind of person who's intimidated by her own coat! Life is too short..."

Yes, thank you bingolittle you are so right! Need to be a bit less self conscious.

[QueenLetizia]

ha ha that's true, better to be brave enough to risk it than to be afraid to risk it

OP, I love the coats you linked to. They work really well in shorter lengths. I was picturing robes, coronation style robes.