Leopard is a Neutral: A Really Useful Style Guide

by Erica Davies

Leopard is a Neutral is the ultimate confidence-boosting style guide.

Former fashion editor and journalist, Erica Davies, has worked across some of the UK's biggest-selling newspapers, magazines and high street brands - and amassed thousands of followers online for her straight-talking, fun and relatable content, tips and tricks that empower women through fashion, interiors and style. In 2019 she was named by The Sunday Times as one of their top 100 online influencers.

Grounded by her personal stories and career learnings, Erica's playful, narrative debut book is packed with practical advice on how to make bold, assured style decisions everyday, ditch archaic fashion rules and harness the power of clothes to feel amazing and curate a wardrobe of happiness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2020

Reviews

[MReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the descriptive writing here, which is lovely, and Erica’s philosophy on dressing. I felt however that it really needed either photos or illustrations to bring her words to life. I know it’s difficult as that dates the book, but some simple illustrations of colours or shapes would really have helped me see exactly what she meant - or links to certain images online.

[Nicola Worle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the general content. A few pictures would however have been super helpful! As I just cant picture some of the descriptions!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous style advice from my favourite online guru, Erica Davies. She’s so down to earth, very sympathetic to the needs of “ordinary” women and I just love her use of colour, clashing prints and mixing of textures to increase our confidence. So, go ahead, wear that sparkly top to the supermarket if you want to and remember to compliment other women if they’re wearing something that makes you smile. It will make their day and you’ll feel better for doing it too.

[Beatrice Bazell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice, the next edition should contain diagrams, it's really hard to visualise proportions from long and detailed descriptions. The chapter on 'the scan' for shops needed much more information on how to actually do it! Really directly written, full of positive messages, good fun.

[Markie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Body and age positive; the author writes uplifting advice for women. The big downside? FASHION BOOK WITHOUT PICTURES AND A COLORWHEEL WITHOUT COLOR!!! What was the publisher thinking??

[Judi Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick but useful read. Introduced me to rhinestone shoelaces and disco socks and helped me to recognise I do have a style, it’s just a bit glittery for most people’s taste’
Extract that apple to me
For so long, we have all been led by style rules, but I think there is actually only one question to ask yourself when it comes to your clothes, regardless of your age: 'Does it make me happy?' If you feel happy in what you're wearing, you will radiate happiness to those around you and that's what dressing should be about. A good fashion investment isn't simply down to the cost per wear, but to the amount of joy per wear it will give you. It could be a beautiful leop-ard-print coat, or it could be a vintage dress you spotted and aren't sure where on earth you'll wear it, but it makes you feel fabulous. As I've previously mentioned, the 'saving it for best' mantra just shouldn't be in your vocabulary.

[Irene Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title and cover of this book do not appeal to me: I am a 'not' when it comes to animal prints (IMO: good where nature put them, which is not on humans, and the pink / yellow / black / red cover is garish and bad for the eyes).

But I'm so glad I read it anyway. This is not a formulaic style book, but a book on the psychology of dress and self image. It's helpful. It's fun. It doesn't tell you what to wear beyond wear what you like.

I want to quote tonnes of bits but I'll suffice with this: "I felt the rules were wrong; that, actually, clothes should make us feel happy, not feel hidden or 'less than'. They should be an extension of who we are."

It has no photos, only pictures for the chapter division.

[Daria Bezzub · Rating 3 out of 5]

Найголовнійший мінус цієї книги - це відсутність ілюстрацій або фото до прикладів, які надає авторка. Вона каже, що зелений можна поєднувати з помаранчевим, тому візьміть зелений костюм і помаранчову сорочку, і все, я уявила собі цей жах. Хоча якби був доданий фотоприклад, я б зрозуміла, що мені хотіла донести авторка і мабуть, погодилася б, з її думкою.

Тому, насправді, без фото книга є дуже слабкою. Так багато інформації, що можна було б оформити через візуал, зовсім не сприймається у сухому текстовому вигляді.

Якщо тут і були корисні поради, я просто їх вже забула, бо аж надто сухо вони були подані.

[LibraryKath · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's OK. Look, I'm not it's intended audience. It's really for women who are searching for their own style, or need confidence to dress in ways that please them, other than following safe fashion "rules". I am not that woman. I dress like an obnoxious toddler already, and screw what anyone else thinks. It still does have "guidelines", which I am SO not interested in, but I'm sure people who need/want some structure will feel secure with.

It's light, it's kind and it's an easy read. If it's your jam, you'll enjoy it.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt a little Live Laugh towards the end and quite dated to say it was written in 2020. It's giving older Aunty gives advice vibes. I'm mid 40s and felt this was written for someone older. I think this would be suitable for 50s and 60s readers. Some good tips but you had to wait patiently for them to arrive.This could've been condensed into a tips book half the size and used as a reference book to look on those days where you're out of ideas on what to wear, how to style something from your wardrobe. The mumsy feel turned me off though but I do firmly agree that leopard is indeed a neutral - a star given for that mantra 🐆

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warmly written with some lovely nuggets of advice. I liked the summative points at the end of each chapter. However, for me this book just did not work without illustrations of images of the looks being discussed- it demanded a lot of the reader’s imagination.

[Holly Crocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought and read after following Erica online for years. Fab book, lovely and descriptive. I too agree with some other comments that more photos in the book would be great, although that is easily remedied by following her IG account.

[IE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never buy books from people on instagram. And yet I bought this one! I instantly knew it would be enjoyable to read, and it was. Definitely read it if you’re rethinking your style after a huge life change like having a baby :)

[Edie Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of these sort of books. Except for the clever title, I found nothing new. She often repeated herself and it definitely needed pictures. But if you are unfamiliar with the genre the advice is good. Where what you like and what makes you feel comfortable

[Lauren Nicol Deaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous book cover without a doubt but not much substance in the pages and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It would be a book I'd have to go back to when I'm in the right frame of mind ie to think about clothes and fashion etc.

[Gem ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant inspiring advice regarding fashion, style and finding your look.

[NEIL ALEXANDER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Full of excellent tips and confidence boosting. Highly recommend. This fifty year old woman is ready to own her style! Thank you Erica

[mrs e tooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I wish had been around earlier😂

This book debunks myths that I grew up with & gives the reader permission to express themselves - hooray hooray !

[Helen White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice confidence boosting book. It's not the most earth shattering fashion advice but a helpful reminder to believe in yourself, be comfortable and find your own style.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. The book desperately needs illustrations/photos.

[Sharon Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy to read style guide

[Marie-Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouraging and useful guide to contemporary sartorial concerns.

[Katieminxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos or even sketches in this book would have made it 100% more helpful!

[Lari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, just totally not my thing. Half the fashion rules she says to forget I never knew in the first place!

[Naomi Handler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more than a styling book !
It helps you to discover your approach to your body and pushes you to think differently
And with that gives you pointers to build your style and not based on someone’s rules
Loved it