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

[Cherry321]

I love leopard print. I have a gorgeous snuggly leopard coat - which I have worn loads and everyone always complements. However I do have a self imposed rule of only one item of animal print at anyone time. Do it OP.

[Deathraystare]

Let's face it - if Bet Lynch was French and all the French women wore leopardprint - loads of mumsnetters would too!!

Nowt wrong with leopardprint

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I hear you Deathraystare! Some examples of French ladies who are stunningly stylish ...

Fingers crossed mine should be here today. I will own the look, I will own the look...

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Well, it arrived. It's nice enough. A trim fit. Lovely colour. I only slipped out to the shop this morning so am not wearing particularly exciting clothes and am make-up free (I look crap in other words). I always going to judge more harshly under those circumstances.

For anyone interested this is it. It's not very Bet Lynch - phew!

[CourtneyLoveIsMySpiritAnimal]

A redhead. Does that mean I’m more Rita Fairclough?

No, more Elsie Tanner and there’s nowt wrong with that

I bloody love Bet Lynch. You can’t be too much Bet, imo.

I have a very similar coat to the one you’ve just bought Op and a great big furry one, that can only be worn with a low coat top,l and leather mini skirt and I love them both.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Rita and Elsie are / were stunning women (imho).

I always associate dark brown satin with Elsie. I could have sworn I saw Rita wearing grey and black leopard last night.

Here's another beautiful redhead. She's wearing it, it's definitely not wearing her!

[mrsvilliers2]

Oh OP I LOVE the coat. Would you share where it's from?

[mrsvilliers2]

Ooh found it, decisions decisions I love leopard but wimp out of the yellow shade!

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

It's from House of Fraser. There's something that looks similar in Next (a coatigan).

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I bought the M&S one (they were out of stock of everything except 12 online) I read the reviews which said "size down" so I tried the 14 instore.......and its mine

OK a bit of Vanity Sizing and some Treat Yourself money helped tp sway me.

I noticed loads of people out in leopard , mainly with jeans but mine will have its maiden voyage with all black.
I'm a brunette , 50+ .

[Deathraystare]

Enjoy ladies!!!

[bingolittle]

OP, that is an absolutely stunning coat!

[ilovecherries]

Right, not sure if I need enabled or told to get a grip. I've always wanted a leopard print coat, but was certainly too fat and assumed I was also too old. This year though I've lost 50lbs and I'm trying to embrace a 'fuckit, wear what you want' approach. After some encouragement on here, these two coats have arrived this morning. The sosander one is gorgeous. Size 14 fits like a glove, not furry as such, but def has a stroke-ability factor. The M&S one is 'nice'. It's a 12 (all they had left) and it's not got much wriggle room, and is possibly a tad tight across the bust, but I dont think noticeabley so. The fabric is a bit 'harder' somehow. It's fine. If I hadn't seen the other one I'd be happy with it. But the sosander one is twice the price and I am still losing weight fairly steadily, so I'd be buying it knowing it's a one-winter coat. So do I:
A) keep the sosander one and wear it to death, selling it next autumn
B) keep the M&S one, knowing I may get a second winter out of it
C) tell myself that I look like Elsie Tanner in both, send them both back and buy a parka or a duffle coat more suitable to my age (50s) and size?

[ilovecherries]

Pictures!

[mrsvilliers2]

Keep the one you like! Make sure to wear it loads to get your cost per wear down. You could always get it altered next winter if need be.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Yy, mrsvilliers2.

I'd keep the one I love.

Imho ilovecherries you sound a bit 'meh' about the M&S one.

Forget about age and being sensible, you should wear what you want. Congratulations on the weight loss as well!

[ilovecherries]

I've had them hanging on the back of my (home) office doors so I can fully appreciate them ;). The M&S one is actually a lovely coat, and certainly doesn't look cheaper then the other one, although there's £70 in it. I think it's just that the other one fits better today (but might not in 6 weeks). It's also a tab longer, meaning it IS a coat and not a long jacket. It has nice buttons, and M&S has press studs, and it has proper slit pockets.

[ilovecherries]

Both are completely out of stock now, so trying different sizes not an option.

[StatueInTheSky]

I am certain there's at least two of the M&S ones on ebay, so you could have them both! Keep the Sosander one and get one of the ebay ones.

filthy enabler

[TheTurnOfTheScrew]

I am 40, blonde, and wear a faux fur leopard coat.
I only wear with jeans and trainers though, as I can't quite work out how to make it work with smarter stuff

[StatueInTheSky]

hmmmm, I cannot see them now, but I know I saw them, as I had already looked at the M&S one and they had stolen the pic, which I thought was cheeky!

I am expanding my search to the next town's charity shops later in the week, whilst maintaining a eagle eye for an ebay bargain.

[ilovecherries]

I like your thinking, Statue

[Oblomov17]

The black and grey ones linked earlier do not stand out. if you’re gonna do it, do it big Styleee!!

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

The black and grey ones linked earlier do not stand out.

How very dare you Oblomov17 (I'm cool toned, needed something to suit my colouring blah, blah, blah! Nah, you're right grey and black it was as I'm just not bloody brave enough!)

[BuzzKillington]

I bought the M&S one last year and I am still wearing it.

I am 47 and dark haired, and I don't think I look like a barmaid.

The key is to wear it when dressed down.