How to do leopard without looking like Bet Lynch...

Carven, Vanessa Bruno, Balmain, Sportmax

Leopard print is a trend that never really goes out of fashion but for AW14 it takes centre stage. It was seen all over the catwalks at fashion week, also it was present in nearly every showroom I visited. I embrace animal print but some of my blonde peers can end up feeling a bit like Bet Lynch! There are loads of ways to wear leopard from top to toe, you don't have to wear it all at once...

1. MALENE BIRGER, Cameliu Cardi, £295 (available in ANNA stores) / 2. PHILIPPE MODEL, Slip on Pony, £249 / 3. TOPSHOP, Pony Duffel Bag,  £38 / 4. WHISTLES, Bella Tyler Animal Dress, £155 / 5. ZARA, Weave Printed Top, £29.99 / 6. ELIZABETH & JAMES, Cynnie Mini Bag, £399 / 7. HOBBS, Ellen Slipper, £110 / 8. SEA, Leopard Pants, £285

My fave leopard print pieces are pictured above. A top tip in negotiating the leopard print mine-field is to choose pieces in modern cuts and styles, sporty shapes are great, such as Zara's simple tee. I'm loving the sportier side to leopard print that is around this season, it's really wearable. My Philippe Model trainers haven't come off my feet since I bought them, they seem to go with everything and are incredibly comfortable.

Grey-scale leopard prints are also a great way into the trend and are much subtler and easy to pull off. Whistles muted grey dress creates the perfect silhouette with it's well placed ruching and the stripy leopard pattern elongates the body, a great little number for a wedding or event.

For the leopard phobics, dip your toe into the trend with leopard accessory, there are a wealth of pony printed leopards out there which are fab for adding a bit of fun to you outfit.

When styling your leopard print I recommend keeping the rest of you outfit pared down, minimal and mixing tonal shades to give a classy look. Below is how I would style my choice leopard picks.

ZARA, Weave Printed Top, £29.99 + WHISTLES, Silk Track Pants, £135 + WHISTLES, Daria Lace-up Trainer, £135 + ANYA HINDMARCH, Maxi Zip Satchel, £795

WHISTLES, Bella Tyler Animal Dress, £155 + TOPSHOP, Raff Metal Toe Sandals, £68 + & OTHER STORIES, Layered Clutch, £55 + MONICA VINADER, Atlantis Cocktail Earrings, £240

SEA, Leopard Pants, £285 + MALENE BIRGER, Tikko Silk Vest, £155 + FRENCH CONNECTION, Neinke Bag, £50 + ZARA, Mesh Court Shoe, £49

Necklace Layering

People always comment on my necklaces... probably because I wear so many... and I often get asked where I get them from. The necklaces that I wear all the time have built up over the years and all have sentimental meaning to me, they are like my talismans and I don't feel dressed without them!

Most of my necklaces come from my favourite jeweller Annoushka, she makes beautiful fine jewellery that's glamorous but also highly wearable. The bumblebee and the heart were both presents from my husband. The most recent addition to my Annoushka collection was my Love Diamonds Dragonfly pendant, matching earrings and ring, a gift for my 50th Birthday... I haven't take it off since I got it!

My dog tag and ring are by a US based jeweller called Heather Moore, she creates highly personalised fine jewellery. They have the names of those precious to me and commemorative dates engraved, you can choose your own font, size placement, type of metal and even add little diamonds or charms. I would highly recommend Heather Moore if you are looking to create something truly personal and a unique.

Annoushka Love Diamonds Dragonfly Collection

Depending on what I am wearing that day I will mix and match my fine jewellery with fashion forward costume jewellery... I am a magpie for anything sparkly so have an extensive collection.