Leopard print has spent decades being described as sophisticated, scandalous, glamorous and rather too much, sometimes by the same people. Our pink leopard lingerie is unlikely to settle the argument, although it should give the “rather too much” contingent something delicious to complain about.
This is our most outrageous print yet, bringing hot pink spots to retro bras, knickers, suspender belts and girdles. If natural leopard suggests a film star travelling incognito behind enormous sunglasses, pink leopard suggests she’s abandoned the disguise and ordered another cocktail.
It’s a thoroughly Revival combination: pin-up shapes, a sense of humour and lingerie that deserves better than being saved for best.
How leopard print acquired its reputation
Leopard’s fashionable past reaches well beyond the 1950s, but the post-war years offer a particularly good explanation for its glamorous reputation. Christian Dior included leopard print in his first collection in 1947, bringing the pattern into the world of couture. His muse Mitzah Bricard helped make it part of the house’s identity, wearing leopard with the sort of conviction that makes everyone else look underdressed.
Bricard’s signature touches included veiled hats, extravagant jewellery and a leopard-print scarf wrapped around her wrist. Here was an approach to dressing in which a spotted accessory could be every bit as sophisticated as a string of pearls.
Meanwhile, leopard had another very appreciative audience. Pin-ups such as Bettie Page helped give the pattern its association with playful, provocative glamour. Those spots could suggest impeccable taste or a willingness to misbehave, depending on who was wearing them and how much else they had on.
Later, performers such as Debbie Harry brought leopard into a different kind of spotlight. Its glamour survived, but acquired a rebellious edge that suited musicians and style outsiders perfectly. A print with couture connections turned out to be equally comfortable in less polite company.
That’s what makes leopard so appealing: nobody has ever quite managed to make it behave.
What happens when you make it pink?
Our pink leopard takes that history as an invitation to have some fun. The retro silhouettes bring the pin-up influence, while the colour supplies a little dressing-room excess. Think black stockings, a favourite pair of heels and absolutely no concern about whether your underwear is discreet enough.
The range is made in Nottingham, with different shapes depending on how you like to wear your lingerie. You can build a matching set, choose a girdle to wear beneath your vintage wardrobe, or introduce one pink piece to the black lingerie you already own.
The Pink Leopard Print Bra has lightly padded cone cups for a vintage silhouette and a stretchy black powernet back. Pair it with the matching knickers, which combine the print with a semi-sheer black powermesh back and a cotton gusset.
For stockings, the six-strap suspender belt adds adjustable straps with metal clips, plus a back hook-and-eye fastening.
Choose your girdle
If you like your lingerie with a little more coverage or shaping, there are four pink leopard girdles to explore.
The Roll On Girdle is the shorter, waist-sitting option, with stretch fabric smoothing over the hips and bottom. For a higher cut and firmer control, the High Waist Pull-On Girdle has reinforced front panels.
Prefer a fastening to a pull-on style? The Vintage Girdle opens at the front with hooks and eyes, combining pink leopard with black powermesh and a lace insert.
The Panty Girdle offers opaque stretch fabric and a cotton gusset, with six detachable suspender straps so you can wear it with or without stockings.
When choosing, check the measurements and fitting information for the individual garment. The cone bra uses traditional +4 sizing, so it’s worth reading its fitting notes before selecting your band size.
Whichever combination catches your eye, there’s no obligation to tone it down. Pink leopard has already made its intentions fairly clear.