A Leopard Can't Change Its...Stripes?

I've had this American Living chevron skirt since 2009 and it remains one of my favorites.  The graphic black and white pattern would be a good match for any solid color top, and I could probably create at least eleven different outfits with it solely from items already in my closet.  Yet, every time I reach for it, I find myself rejecting a new combination in favor of this black portrait collar sweater and my pink crocodile and leopard calf-hair Donald J. Pliner sandals.  

When I first pulled the look together, it was a complete departure for me.  There was a time when I would not have even considered mixing stripes with a leopard print.  In fact, when I first bought the skirt, I planned to wear it with a black top and black and white spectators - head to toe color coordination, which is right in my wheelhouse.  

I'm not sure what possessed me to slip on the leopard shoes, but as soon as I did - BAM! - I loved it.  The black and white skirt was the perfect neutral backdrop to highlight the shoes (one of my top ten closet faves), and the addition of a hot pink grosgrain banded watch adds a coordinated yet unexpected extra pop of color.  Maybe next time around, I'll try the skirt with a kelly green cardigan, and maybe someday I'll get around to pairing it with my black and white spectators as I originally intended.  Then again, maybe not...

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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