The best leopard print dresses on the high street (2025)

It might be a moment on the catwalk or a celebrity snapped off-duty that sparks a trend – that lightning-in-a-bottle frenzy which then sees everyone wear a look.

Once in a generation, though, a look, a garment or a design will surpass such mere trendiness and become a deeper part of our clothing culture, such as denim jeans, women's suiting or . . . leopard-print dresses. There are two ways you can tell the latter are now here to stay: first, it wouldn't be awkward to meet someone else who was also wearing one; second, every single retailer, from Matalan to Me&Em, has a leopard-print midi-dress in stock this spring. Such ubiquity is in part a reaction to designers from Valentino to Bottega Veneta sending the print down the SS25 catwalks.

But, increasingly, leopard print seems to have cemented itself as a permanent fixture in our wardrobes.

For one thing, it's incredibly versatile with different prints and colours. There's something fundamental about the pattern, the spots within spots, the camouflage that allows it to work with so many different designs.

It can be a staple while at the same time constantly reinvent itself, ensuring it stays in fashion.

From a drop waist to a full skirt or a bodice top, in cotton, chiffon, denim and silk – the possibilities are endless. Dress it up, dress it down . . . this season, it seems the leopard dress knows no limits.

There's something for everyone – and we've picked the 20 best to buy on the high street now.

Why now? Perhaps, after all this talk of 'quiet luxury,' we're all craving a bit of loud maximalism?

And yet, what just a few years ago felt like a statement piece has now become universal. The warm, earthy tones have staying power, effortlessly merging timeless glamour with a modern edge. If you're after an elegant summer day dress, look no further than Rixo, whose lightweight cotton midi-dress (£185, rixolondon.com) has a flattering tight bodice and tiered skirt.

If that's a little over budget, Next's flattering drop-waist design with sheer sleeves is only £46 (next.co.uk) – its bold take on the print makes it more interesting than some others. And Never Fully Dressed's gorgeous leopard Lucia dress, is available in UK sizes 6 to 28 (£99, neverfullydressed.com).

And Albaray's animal print drop-waist button dress in 100 per cent organic cotton deserves a special mention (£99, albaray.co.uk).Shoes (worn throughout), £89, dunelondon.com

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