1. Hiking boots — tick
2. Fur gilet — tick
3. Lace dress — still looking
4. Leopard print coat — still looking
I am thrilled to be spot on the trends. These key pieces are everywhere! One in four girls you see on London streets is wearing an animal print coat, and one in five is wearing a fur gilet! Seeing them in mass is kind of de-valuing these items for me. I am not quite sure if I still wanted an animal print coat anymore for this winter.
I've always wanted a leopard print coat and I have been searching for one for a couple of years now. I think unless I have £2000 to buy a designer made, it would be really difficult as this is not a kind of coat that can be easily substituted with a High Street made.
For example, this Top Shop coat priced at £98. It has an acrylic plastic shine to it and the fabric is so synthetic that it can catch a fire if you go near a heater or fire place!
photo source: Topshop.com
And this Oasis coat is priced at £150. Slightly better than the Top Shop version. It has the natural fur texture and not too bulky. However the colour of the print is not right. It is not as obvious on the photo. But if you see it in real life, it is way too yellow and unnatural.
photo source: Selfridges.com
This Biba version is not too bad. It is priced at £165. The colour is natural and the texture is very soft. It is very comfortable and warm to wear. Except it is too thick and bulky. When I put it on, I felt like a big bear walking down the street and I felt shorter with it. Unless you are 6 feet tall, it is probably not the most ideal version either.
photo source: Biba exclusively for House of Fraser catalogue
Don't get me wrong. I am not encouraging slaughter of endangered animals in order to get their skin for vain. Even the designer versions would not be real leopard skin. My point is that with a coat that is defined by its print and texture, it is important to get it right. I'd rather spend a little be more on a leopard print coat that is more authentic and refined. A lot of things that we are able to find relatively cheaper and as good alternatives, but leopard print coat just isn't one of them!
A Gucci version may be at the extreme end of the spectrum. But I am sure there are also versions of leopard print coats that are priced in between Luxury brands and High Street brands. I just have to keep looking to find my perfect leopard print coat!
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