[1]

When I recieved this spring 2008 mailer from APC [2] this morning, I was a little taken aback to be honest.  Girl in leopard print rolling around in the sand with a 'Chad' looking dude (my definition of 'Chad' looking guys is not an exact one... I know a Chad when I see one though....).  Hello?  The simple and slightly clinical coolness of APC?  Where are you?  Upon further inspection [3], no we're not in for a leopard-laden spring from APC.  It is just the one crisply printed leopard jacket amongst a collection that is reassuringly nautical and girly.  It would be a tad mind-warping if I found APC started turning out Jane Norman [4]- esque pieces.  (I really would not click on that link if I was you...). 

The thing is, I don't really have anything against leopard print per se but for some reason, I've never really gravitated towards it either other than the odd pair of flats which I've worn once.  Yet as many connontations as seems, it is one of those patterns than a lot of people take to like a duck to water and out of the broad pattern categories of florals, polka dots, geometrics and perhaps with stripes pipping it to the post, I see teens really going for leopard prints with much enthusiasm thanks to the numerous high street/vintage offerings. 

This lone APC spring 2008 leopard print offering also reminded me of a girl featured as 'Teen Vogue' girl on the Week' [5] a while back who got praised/slated for her leopard print coat.  Some people deemed the leopard print coat she was wearing a little too 'predictable' and 'safe'.  Despite being a somewhat problematic pattern, has the ubiquity of it given the print this reputation?  I don't necessarily agree but could that be the root of why I'm somehow put off by the pattern?  Perhaps.  Or my inability to wear it properly might be a more accurate reason.