Gene Kelly would have done a whole different dance if he’d been “Singin’ in the rain” wearing leopard print rain boots!

First, stop thinking that rain boots are just for rainy days. No less a fashion authority than Marc Jacobs has declared rain boots an essential fashion accessory for winter. With so many delightful styles, leopard print rain boots can really put some “wet and wild” into your wardrobe.

For instance, famous British maker Hunter Boot, creator of the original rubber Wellington boot, has expanded its classic “wellie” into a full lifestyle brand. Among its new products is a Welly Cuffed Sock boot in leopard print that comes in black with a brown/black faux fur cuff.

While a classic Wellington may be a bit pricey for some budgets, that does not necessarily mean that leopard print rain boots are totally out of reach. In fact, a recent search on eBay turned up a site for discount leopard print rain boots in several sizes and price ranges. Leopard print rain boots that drew raves from shoppers are found in places as available as Target.

Leopard Print Rain Boots Can Have You Dancing

One fashion-forward style favored by girls and teen-agers these days are leopard print rain boots in colors. These leopards have really changed their spots; they’re seen in pink, red, even purple and green. You can even find “family sets” of these trendy rain boots so that Mom can look as adorable in the rain as her little girls.

Once you’ve identified a good potential outlet for your leopard print rain boots, it’s time to get the spots out of your eyes and thinks in terms of quality and fashion sense.

If you live where there’s lots of rainy weather, choose high-cut boots rather than low-cut versions. In addition, check the quality of the boot construction, especially where the upper meets the sole. Tug a little on the seam of the upper and the sole; if it seems too loose to you, like it might separate, pass those by and look for another pair.

Check the material from which the boots are made. The best material for rain boots is natural latex rubber. Unfortunately, a lot of rain gear these days is made of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, a plastic whose production involves the use of phthaltes to soften the plastic. There are significant environmental concerns that these phthalates can cause cancer and harm the immune system especially in children. So avoid PVC rain boots for children, no matter how cute the leopard print might be.

After you’ve purchased your rain boots, try them on at home. Walk around in them, get to know how they feel on different types of surfaces (the same goes for the little ones, too!). You should become very aware of how your rain boots feel on different surfaces, because you’re going to be walk in them when it’s wet and slippery. By getting to know how your rain boots feel when they’re dry, you’ll be more alert to the slickness under foot when you’re going about in stormy weather.

After all, unlike good ol’ Gene, you definitely want your leopard print rain boots when you are singin’ in the rain!

You know you want to. Those leopard print pumps are purring at you from their place on the shoe rack. But those heels look a tad too high; the size of those heels makes you a bit anxious.

So… are you going to be a tiny tabby or are you going to roar as a fashionable jungle cat?

Here’s some incentive to pounce on those pumps: A recent Internet search turned up 49 different styles of leopard print pumps on one site alone, with designs from hot shoe names including Jimmy Choo, J. Renee, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael by Michael Kors, Guess, N.Y.L.A and even music icon Carlos Santana! Jessica Simpson, BCBG, Bandolino, St. John – name your fashion fave and there’s likely to be a pair of leopard print pumps waiting for you!

What’s more, not one pair of those kitty pumps looked alike. Leopard print pumps can banish boredom in no time flat.

Pump Up Excitement With Leopard Print Pumps

So let’s leap at those 4- to 5-inch heels with leopard courage. If you think that only fashion models, actresses and other celebrities can safely negotiate these skyscrapers you’d be wrong! Here’s how you too can conquer those seemingly scary heights:

Start by simply standing in high heels in front of a full-length mirror. Turn slightly to each side and check your posture. Just stand there and get used to the heel height.

Now, take a few steps – slowly! Remember to keep your legs as close together as possible and as straight as you can. Point your feet straight out in front (here’s where you’ll find whether you actually walk on the inside or the outside of your feet). Ideally, walk first on a hard floor or a carpet with low pile. Don’t choose a slick floor or a thick carpet; these can throw you and send your leopards scampering across the room.

Walk back and forth across a room. Turn in different directions. Stop without wobbling. Once you can execute these maneuvers with confidence, try yourself on different types of floors and carpets, but always start slowly first. Practice, practice and more practice will give you the confidence it takes to rock a pair of leopard print pumps.

However, if 4-inch heels give you nosebleeds and set off your fear of heights, don’t despair. Leopard print pumps with heels as low as 1-1/2 inches can still give any outfit the call of the wild.

Pumps with heels anywhere from 2 to 4 inches also can give a good sense of height without you feeling like you’re about to topple off the mountaintop. If the thinness of high heels concerns you, consider getting a shoe with a chunkier heel to an added sense of support. A leopard print pump with a 2-3/4-inch chunky heel is still a pump, baby.

The key to learning how to wear pumps with high heels is to give yourself time to adjust to each added inch of height. The fun part about this is that is means you can have an entire wardrobe of leopard print pumps with heels of any height!

Where can you spot leopard print flats? Everywhere; including on the feet of some A-list celebrities.

Actress and fashion designer Ashley Olsen hit the headlines everywhere when she was seen in New York City recently wearing skinny jeans set off by a stunning pair of leopard print flats.

Farther north in Boston, Hollywood princess Suri Cruise, age 3, was seen wearing a pair of teeny leopard-print flats while on a shopping trip with her mother, Katie Holmes Cruise (dad Tom Cruise wasn’t around). Suri’s leopards were coordinated with a handbag in a leafy-greens print while her mom carried Suri’s toys in a “Hello, Kitty,” bag. We’re sensing a jungle theme for this budding fashionista.

Both these lovely ladies point out how gorgeously a pair of leopard print flats can set off a familiar or classic outfit such as a little black dress or a black pencil skirt. Ms. Olsen mixed up her flats with a solid color top and jeans, while Miss Cruise sported horizontal-striped leggings with her spots (well, she’s still young enough for it to look charming instead of tacky).

Leopard Print Flats Can Make Your Look

The point is, leopard print flats are the kind of fashion accessory that can make an outfit go from OK to “Oh, hey!” To avoid people shouting “oy vey!” when they see your costume, the trick is use just enough lively leopard.

One way to make good use of leopard print flats is to look for styles that combine texture with their sports. For instance, some designers such as Ralph Lauren render their leopard prints in calf hair, which gives a classic ballet flat some extra pizzazz.

And talk about pizzazz! Jimmy Choo’s leopard print flat is done in patent leather coated in sparkles. These leopards will look like they’re dancing with the stars.

If high-fashion designer flats aren’t in your budget, you can still find plenty of options. Target, where designer Isaac Mizrahi contributes style for the mass market, has offered both leopard print ballerina flats with a comfortable round toe and leopard print suede peep-toe flats with a chunky three-quarter-inch heel. Both designs provide style and economy at the same time.

Leopard print flats can run to sporty looks, such as Encanto’s calf-hair leopard loafers or Perlina’s moccasin-toe leopards. Artful sophistication show up as well, as in Newport News’ satin print ballerina flats or DKNY’s sleek spectator look, wrapping a leopard print with brown patent leather toes.

When leopard prints tickle your toes, there’s likely to be bows as well. Designers love to collar these kitties with bows in every conceivable width, from the skinniest of ties to big, textured ribbons, often in contrasting colors such as red or purple.

Because a leopard print is so striking all be itself, flats rarely need much in the way of embellishments in the shoe design. Occasionally there will be bows, or knotted leather, and sometimes the show design will feature peep-toes or other cutouts, but the emphasis is clearly on the magical print.

Whether you choose a sophisticated patent leather flat suitable for the office, some sporty calf-hair loafers or even luxurious velour slippers, leopard print flats will keep you fast on your feet.

Diva-licious! That’s the only word for leopard print heels. A pair of leopard print heels ought to star in the wardrobe of every woman who wants a classic that never goes out of style, and never gets boring.

Don’t take our word for it. A quick online search for leopard print heels will turn up more spots than on a whole jungle full of big cats. You’ll find them everywhere, from traditional sites such as Spiegel to the trendiest places such as Torrid.

Popular Leopard Print Heels

For instance, Spiegel offers a leopard print leather pump accented with a bow tie on the vamp of a rounded peep toe. The 3-inch covered stiletto heel is an excellent height for women who haven’t worn high heels in a while. A 3-inch level makes it possible to practice walking in a more comfortable high heel before tackling the heights of 4- and 5-inch heels. A good example of the latter is Naughty Monkey’s “Shock and Awe” party pumps in leopard print pony hair, with a 1-inch platform and a 4-inch heel.

While moms are checking at the high heels at their favorite traditional sites, their daughters are rockin’ the Tan/Black Leopard Fabric Ithika Heels by Jessica Simpson offered by Torrid.com. Talk about some fierce jungle cats! These peep-toe beauties are covered in a fine ribbed-weave fabric, with a leather and brass ring strap detail on the vamp. They reach for the heights with a 5-1/2 stacked wood heel and a 1-inch covered platform midsole.

What’s more, heels don’t have to be towering to make a pair of leopards roar. Neiman-Marcus offers a Manolo Blahnik leopard print thong heel that comes in beige, orange or red. This slip-on with a thong strap has a 2-1/4-inch cover heel that’s as charming as it is comfortable. This is a great height for anyone who’s just learning how to manage the art of walking in high heels – if you can manage the $500 price tag.

Speaking of walking in high heels, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can simply slip on a pair of 5-inch spikes and walk away. Walking in high heels is an art that has to be mastered, both to be fully enjoyed and to avoid falling and injuring yourself.

Here’s the way a true diva conquers the heights:

Put on your new leopard print high heels and stand in front of a full-length mirror. Don’t you look absolutely fabulous! Now turn slightly in each direction to get a feel for the heels. Then walk slowly across the room, turn and walk back. Be sure to take your first walks across hard-surfaced floors or low-pile carpets to avoid catching your heels on something slick or shaggy.

Pay attention to your posture while you’re walking. Stand up straight, keep your legs together and put your feet out straight in front of you. Keeping practicing until you can walk, turn, walk and stop without a wobble.

Now you’re doing the diva thing in your jungle-hot leopard print heels!

Leopard print boots have become as much a fashion staple as the famed “little black dress”, which has successfully survived several fashion seasons. Fashion mavens now see animal prints, especially leopard prints, as a classic design that goes with just about any outfit.

While in the wild the leopard’s spotted coat helps it hide until ready to leap on its prey, leopard print boots are meant to call attention to the sleek legs and shapely calves that they adorn. A big part of the fun is that leopard print boots come in so many different styles, heel heights and even colors!

That’s right; the standard leopard print of dark rosettes against a lighter tan or beige background has gotten an extra kick of color in recent years. Leopard print boots are showing up in black and red versions, on pink backgrounds and even in some children’s styles with green and purple!

No Shortage Of Choices With Leopard Print Boots

The choices today are so widespread that the fashionista who adores leopard print boots may find it necessary to have an entire wardrobe of them.

For example, casual leopard print boots are available in low-heeled versions that come to about mid-calf. The famous Australian bookmaker, Ugg, offers a leopard-print version of its renowned sheepskin-lined boot.

Dress boots in leopard print range from stylish booties or pant boots all the way up to thigh-high versions to be worn with mini skirts. The heel types for these boots offer a wonderful variety of looks, from patent-covered 2-1/4-inch wedges to 3-inch self-covered heels all the way up to 4- and 5-inch stilettos, oh my!

Ankle boots and booties in leopard print suede can be found in pull-on styles as well as with zippers.

For a fun night out on the town, there’s even a Leopard Print Crinkled Patent Cowboy Boot by J. Renee. This popular style features leopard print metallic crinkled patent leather-like upper and grained leather-like trim detailed with brushed metallic studs detail. This design comes in red/black, pewter/black and bronze/black versions.

Those who love cowboy boots can find more options in Old Gringo’s line of Leopardito boots. These short leopard print boots are paired with all kinds of leather options for a wide range of fashion choices.

Just as the snow leopard, the “gray ghost” of the Himalayas, can capture unsuspecting prey, Volatile’s snow leopard boots can knock the breath out of admirers. These slouch boots are made of soft, fuzzy fabric with a snow leopard print, a perfect match with skinny jeans or leggings.

And who says that cats can’t swim? Leopards are very much at home in the water, thank you, and so are rain boots in leopard prints. The popular rain boot maker, Chooka, has created a Cherry Leopard Print version, with cherries print over a leopard print on the rubber upper. With a 1-inch heel and 11-1/2 inch shaft height, these rain boots are so striking that wet weather could be optional.

These samples are only a few of the options in leopard print boots. Fashion-conscious buyers everywhere pounce on leopard print boots of all heights so set those boots to walkin’ for a pair of your very own!