How to Dress Like an Adult with Shane Watson: Shh! This year’s It Bag is just £55.

Until a few weeks ago, I had no interest in leopard-print bags. I’m not a bag person, and it’s long past time for me to own an It bag.

So if you say so, come rainy March, you might find yourself eyeing a Saint Laurent leopard print bag. Saint Laurent? Tiger? That’s two impossible.

However, there’s Saint Laurent’s leopard-print tote – made from recycled cotton and, therefore, surprisingly priced (£55, ysl.com) – which I see now as that holy grail of fashion items, a quick refresher. Clever and lively – something that gives them a whole new lease of life when added to last year’s favorites.

So far, a clean simple leopard print – be it a bag, be it a coat, a jacket or a pair of shoes – kicking it in khakis, black or cream makes it look fresh and a little more welcoming. Disruption on simple block-color clothing. It’s never looked sharper or been easier to wear.

After all, leopard is just a print in black and beige, so it can’t be easier to blend it into your everyday outfit – once you know it’s actually leopard.

Leopard print shoes are a classic way to make the simplest of outfits more interesting. Image: Bella Hadid

There are other animal prints this season, including zebra – Zara has some great studded leather slippers (£59.99, zara.com) – but zebra is more graphic and contains a lot of black. Honey-toned leopard print is a lighter, more versatile and more flattering-for-leather option.

Bags are the easiest way to incorporate a block of leopard print into an outfit and a tote – Zara does a minimal leather one (£99.99, zara.com) – or an Accessorize canvas tote (£20, next.co.uk) does the job well. You don’t want anything bad.

Still, if it’s a choice between a bag or shoes, I always want shoes. They are classic and work with the simplest of outfits – black cropped trousers and a black skirt; Khakis and white shirt; Cream pants and Breton sweater; A little dress in any color under the sun – automatically chicer.

Saint Laurent Leopard Print Tote – made from recycled cotton and, therefore, incredibly affordable (£55, ysl.com)

Leopard print isn’t just for dressing up, but for everyday and evening wear, so the best shoes are cat-heel sandals (£59.99, zara.com) or ballet pumps (£35, marksandspencer.com). With cropped pants. These are especially cut high on the leg and are designed in a luxurious print. You don’t get any better than this.

High heels and courts don’t feel right now, but if you’re married to high heels, make it a solid block.

A leopard print coat, likewise, is the glow you’ve been saving for after dark. Now you are dressed in black pants (a tiger turns black), or your sky-blue dress, or white or beige pants. The only thing that can get a little tight with leopard is the print, but if it’s in a mix of dark brown or a little black and you wear it head to toe, you should be fine.

Marks and Spencer does a nice long-line car coat in animal print which is less subtle than leopard but still functional and waterproof (£59, marksandspencer.com).

High heels and courts don’t feel right now, but if you’re married to high heels, make it a solid block. In the picture Anne Hathaway in tiger print

There are many dresses and skirts in Tiger, but they do not give the same high position. And by all means get a bag, shoes and a coat, but don’t wear all three together. Pictured, Laura Whitmore with a feline accessory

If you want to try a jacket, M&S’ relaxed, fitted sleeve blazer in the same print (£49.50, marksandspencer.com) is a good length.

This season you want your jacket to be either cropped and boxy, or loose and long – never in between.

And why not try a leopard print belt with your trousers (£22, johnlewis.com)?

There are many dresses and skirts in Tiger, but they do not give the same high position.

And by all means get a bag, shoes and a coat, but don’t wear all three together.