They say that a leopard can’t change its spots and you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Or in not so allegorical language, some people never change.

But around here, we kind of live by the maxim that we are ever-changing, never fixed. Otherwise, what’s the point? And particularly in the fashion sense, our tastes are constantly evolving based on the introduction of new ideas or, in some cases, desensitization – you show an old dog a new trick enough times, he just might pick it up, no matter how unwilling he was to participate at the beginning. (Hello! Did you already forget the phenomenon that was wedge sneakers?)

This is our thesis. Our proof?

You see, collectively there was a time when we were pretty print averse. Texture was fine. Color-blocking? Cool. But that whole prints and the mixing of the prints thing? Pass. It felt messy and complicated. Something women like Leandra Medine could pull off, less because it worked and more because they are who they are on the inside. Not something mere mortals like us were ever meant to attempt.

So we unilaterally avoided them and clung steadily to our monochrome menswear.

But as time passed and prints remained in vogue, we found ourselves congregating around what we like to call the “loud” section of Zara, not buying but “shopping” nonetheless. While perusing glossy pages we lingered on spreads abuzz with design, contemplating what our lives might be like if they had a little more pattern (and less routine) to them. And then, one day out of the blue, without thinking much of it (as it is with most change), a printed purchase was made and an Equipment blouse covered in florals made it into constant rotation. And that was all it took.

Now don’t misunderstand, this leopard’s spots didn’t magically morph into purple hearts – we didn’t go to bed Emmanuelle Alt and wake up Iris Apfel. But we did decide to put our leopard pants on every once in awhile and that should stand for something.

GALLERY LINKs:
– Studio Photoshoots > Tomboy KC > 080