How to Style a Leopard Cardigan for Casual and Work Wear

I know a few readers also picked up this Ann Taylor Wild Leopard Cardigan (still left online in all petite sizes), which I am pleased with so far. The print is a soft faded leopard, and the colors are suitable for all seasons. I’m sure it will become a wardrobe favorite of mine.

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Top: Ann Taylor Factory Petal Shell sz XXSP
Pants: Ann Taylor twill crops sz 00P (similar)
Shoes: Aldo (old) Pearls: ebay Bag: Chanel m/l flap

I wanted to demonstrate how one can transform a basic top, pants, and cardigan ensemble and make it suitable for various occasions, just by tweaking the garments and accessories.

YouTube video

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60 Comments

  1. the16thbar.com wrote:

    This was a GREAT video! I must say, I love designing pieces but when it comes to accessorizing…I get scared! haha. But I will say, I can't believe you used the same belt and pearls for each look and unless you really paid attention you would have never noticed! They looked gorgeous and original with each pairing. Great job, now I'm about to go buy that sweater lol

    Frankie 🙂

    Posted 4.26.11 Reply
  2. d7978ad8-705d-11e0-8677-000bcdcb2996 wrote:

    I love the way you do your eye make up! And it looks like you have really nice skin. Can you let us all in on your skincare regimen? Thanks!!

    Posted 4.26.11 Reply
  3. Mae Lu wrote:

    ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, JEAN! I can't wait until after 5PM to watch that video (they block links and check streaming site usage during work hours here at my office)!

    I love the quality of your photos. You always get good photos… your boyfriend is certainly almost professional!

    xx{ish.},
    Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!

    Posted 4.26.11 Reply
  4. The Funky Monkey wrote:

    I love your photos and your vlog. You are great in front of the camera! Very professional, yet fun. I like that. I learned about you through Jen's blog. Looking forward to reading more of your posts.

    Posted 4.26.11 Reply
  5. Jeanie wrote:

    I love how you find so many ways to pair up the cardigan! Thanks for the idea

    Posted 4.26.11 Reply
  6. samanthaloves wrote:

    Jean, your videos are so informative. This outfit is so classy and chic. I love the cropped trousers!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  7. fabulouslyfrugirl wrote:

    I love the leopard print cardigan with the shorts, cropped pants and the skirt!

    You're hilarious with the baby! Too funny. Thanks for the great post!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  8. Aubrey wrote:

    I just love your videos… I'd watch them if they were about elephants and coffee beans, though I'm glad they're not, just because you're so sweet and fun to watch. (Creepy? …a little. lol)

    Thanks for all the ideas and tips – very very much needed and appreciated!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  9. PetiteLittleGirl wrote:

    Thank you for another amazing post, Jean. I bought a leopard cardigan months ago but haven't worn it yet. This post helps a lot. My favorite outfit from this post is when you paired this cardi with shorts. So chic! I have to try it this weekend.

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  10. a rose wrote:

    I love the evening look & your legs :).

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  11. Melanie! wrote:

    I'm so happy I found this blog! I think we have the same measurements and are the same height. This isn't completely relevant to this post in particular but where do you find nice jeans and pants that fit (on a college student budget)? I've tried Levi's 0 and Gap 00 and both don't fit right and I have to wear a belt all the time so they bunch up at the waist and I get the infamous "triangle crotch."

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  12. Suman wrote:

    OMG.. this video was for me 😀

    Loved the way you transformed from day to night to work look. Thank you so much! the best part was when you ran to grab the baby…that made me laugh so hard!!

    Have started jotting down my experiences (newpetite@blogspot.com) a big Thanks to you!! XOXO

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  13. Lisa wrote:

    The video was great. It was very helpful to see all the ways one can tweak and outfit with one piece staying constant. I really like the tucked in look with the skirt for the cardigan and would not have thought of that. Thanks for the idea!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  14. AubreyOhDang! wrote:

    omg im going to die! funny moments that I literally LOL'd:

    1. "climb a mountain…i dont know about that."
    2. "un bebe."
    3. "subtle sexy." hahahahha very true but i still think it's funny when u say it

    great vid little lady!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  15. Jackie wrote:

    Jean, I really enjoyed watching your video! Great way to expand on what I already have in my closet =D Thank you!

    I really love that outfit too. You wear that print very well.

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  16. elledee wrote:

    so well put together! love the length of those pants

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  17. Janine aka J-Ezzy @ *La Dolce Vita* wrote:

    see, i'm much lazier, since i too commute i wear pants all year round with my sneakers, if i'm wearing sneakers 90% of my pants won't drag. sadly i still don't own flats that are comfortable and look good with skirts =/ womp womp

    i also have very thick legs so heels feel like a must when wearing skirts

    how long is your commute? i walk 15-20 minutes to the metro then take the train for 25-45 minutes then walk another 10-15 minutes to get to work. btw – i don't really walk, i practically run everywhere i go, i am that weirdo that is weaving a crowd.

    as i said in the yt vid, i absolutely love the shorts and skirt pairing you created, ja adore, Jean!!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  18. Ying wrote:

    Jean, you mean to tell me you didn't know you were a walking Ann Taylor/LOFT ad? Lol. I'm here to tell you, you are and that you need to be getting royalties for it. 🙂 I shopped LOFT before I found your blog, but now I shop it even more.

    Love the looks you put together – I've always been wary of leopard and animal print but recently have grown more comfortable with it – as I've learned that keeping everything else with it very basic. I love the looks you put together for the cardi, isn't it amazing how the pairings can change the look and feel of a piece?

    The baby was hilarious by the way. 😀

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  19. KDot wrote:

    You're super cute! I'm a tall girl who loves your blog 🙂

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  20. Di wrote:

    OMG you look so cute in these outfits! you pull them off seamlessly love~~~ I'm a leopard fan myself 🙂 such a great pop of pattern~ xo Diana

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  21. Anonymous wrote:

    Wow, another great outfit! I love what you did with the leopard print cardigan. I have to admit, I've never purchased anything in leopard print because I always thought it looked very tacky, but the way you dressed it up in your pictures looks so classy and elegant. And your instructional video is so helpful! Please, do more of those. Oh, and I totally laughed when you grabbed your "baby". =) Looking forward to seeing more outfits from you (especially spring/summer ones)!

    Posted 4.25.11 Reply
  22. kileen wrote:

    lovely post and i love the longer length of the cardigan. and great ideas for styling it too!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  23. SewPetiteGal wrote:

    This is such a GREAT post! Thanks for all the ideas and going to the trouble of putting it into a video format! I almost fell out of my chair when you ran to pick up your "baby" – LOVE that!!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  24. Anonymous wrote:

    ANOTHER QUESTION!: Where did you get that dress form/mannequin? Do you dress it up in the next day's outfit? I think it would look cute as a decorative inspiration board of sorts…

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  25. The Little Dust Princess wrote:

    You're awesome, Jean! <3 I love all the pairings, but I have to admit my least fave was the pants. You probably already know by now I don't wear pants too often. 😛 The leopard cardi is beautiful! I WANT IT!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  26. Lizzy!. wrote:

    I love the pencil skirt look!Classy as always Jean 🙂 thanks for such a great video!
    I was wondering how you prevent bunching in the pencil skirt when you tuck in a cardi? because i've tried that and I always seem to get ridiculous looking bunches in the back even with lined wool skirts.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  27. Anonymous wrote:

    QUESTION!: Do you have tips on organizing closets? or maybe maximizing the small space?

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  28. Canadianpetite wrote:

    Funny when you ran and came up with a 'baby'! Love the skirt and shorts pairing. Gotta get me a bright yellow belt – so versatile and just…right! (Damn AT's no-shipping-to-Canada)

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  29. rae wrote:

    you look lovely, and those pants fit you like a dream.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  30. Michelle wrote:

    Cute!! I am not sure which look is my favorite…you have pulled them all off so well.

    I am really craving a fun skinny belt! 🙂 And that cardigan!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  31. grace wrote:

    Beautiful as usual Jean =) Love your night out look the most. I probably could almost get away with that to work 😛 except for the shorts would be too short. I love the lavender skirt. Hm.. too bad I missed the 40% off cardigan – I need something to spruce up my plain colored wardrobe a bit.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  32. Viralitis wrote:

    Ah! Where did you get that yellow belt? I notice you wear it in a lot of things and I never realized how flattering yellow can be to an outfit! Great ideas with the leopard sweater also!

    Viralitis.blogspot.com

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  33. Steffi wrote:

    I've always wanted that Chanel purse in black but your outfits make me like Taupe more and more… dilemma, dilemma 😡

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  34. Theresa wrote:

    I love the lavender skirt! I must have one!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  35. Jenn wrote:

    Love the leopard print! It really does go with everything and is much easier to match than I would have thought.

    Complex Cardigans

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  36. Really Petite wrote:

    I haven't watched the video but am about to…just had to leave a comment first:)

    I love my AT leopard cardi I got awhile ago for $10..this one is super cute too!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  37. questforfashionsense wrote:

    Super useful video – very much appreciated. I don't have a leopard/print cardi or a citron skinny belt, but I'm going to try to use your tips in other ways for sure [maybe swap for a brightly colored cardi and an aqua skinny belt]. Thanks again for showing so many versatile looks with just a few key pieces.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  38. Callandra wrote:

    Lovely cardi Jean and I loved all the ways you styled it!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  39. Katherine wrote:

    I loved your video! Very cute and helpful for dressing up that cardigan…and you have a great Chanel collection 🙂

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  40. Victoria wrote:

    I have a animal print cardigan. You give me more ideas to wear it. Thanks.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  41. Olyvia wrote:

    thank you for the informative video! It really makes me want to reevaluate my wardrobe. Cause my outfits are usually looks exactly how your before outfit is (frumpy and nothing for the height). I will refer back to this post many times!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  42. alison*elle wrote:

    It's funny how easily you can change up the looks while still using almost the same items. My favourites were the night look with the shorts and the work look with the pencil skirt. Thanks for the video – I got some great ideas! 🙂

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  43. Banhannas wrote:

    My favorite pairing is the light mauve colored pencil skirt! Is that recent? Oh don't tell me, if it was than I would be so sore since the 40% promo is over! lol!

    You are so informative in your videos, I love how brought such versatility but only using a few pieces.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  44. Mindy♥ wrote:

    Jean! You always look so great! <3 I love the way you made the pairings with the leopard print cardigan. 🙂

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  45. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean,
    These pairings were great-and that cardi and accent belt are so versatile! Need to get myself one.
    Random Question (If you don't mind my asking)-Do you speak mandarin?

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  46. Ping wrote:

    cute video jean and lol at the "un babe"!
    i love how the longer length cardigan works so well with all the outfits. the accent belt is so versatile. i have been looking for one!
    i'm the opposite with the pants. that is the only thing i wear and i rarely wear skirts to work. its probably because i like to wear heels and not flats.

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  47. R.L. wrote:

    Haha, un baby! I'm so glad you did a video on styling the citrine belt. I would have never imagined that this color could be made work appropriate but I'm a believer now. My fav looks were the ones for "Dressy." I need to invest in some cropped pants now. Anyway, loved this pairings video. You're such a natural, hope to see more!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  48. gold N turquoise wrote:

    loved the shorts and the pencil skirt look; great ideas!

    jenny

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  49. Wendy wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    I love your blog. I also did not expect the 'baby' at the end of the first ensemble. You made me laugh. Plus, after having my 2nd son 7 months ago, I could relate to wanting to dress up a bit rather than wearing my daily sweats! Keep up the great work. I look forward to seeing your posts!

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply
  50. Jen wrote:

    Great video for easy, practical and no-fuss dressing! My favourite combo has to be the one you took photos of. Those pants, again, are amazing on you! By the way hahaha, totally didn't expect to see the "baby" in the video! Made me laugh out loud.

    Happy Easter Jean!
    Jen

    P.S. Where did you get your dress form?

    Posted 4.24.11 Reply

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