Dressing like Bet Lynch is now 'high fashion' – and stars are going animal for it
Actress Julie Goodyear, 82, was famed for wearing an array of leopard print gear in her 25 years in the soap and she's not the only one hoping on the animal print trend
Dressing like Coronation Street legend Bet Lynch is now high fashion. Actress Julie Goodyear, 82, was famed for wearing an array of leopard print gear in her 25 years in the soap.
She first appeared in Corrie in 1966, but only became a regular in 1970. She stayed on our screens - playing barmaid, then landlady of the Rovers Return - until 1995, and returned briefly in 2002 and 2003.
Speaking about her love of leopard print gear, from coats, to hats, dresses and blouses, the actress said she researched how much a barmaid would earn, and bought clothes she reckoned one could ‘realistically afford’.
READ MORE: Coronation Street's 'Curly' looks totally different as he takes on new punk roleREAD MORE: ITV Benidorm return teased by star six years after axe — but there’s a twistIt has been revealed that leopard print is flying off the shelves as Brits go ‘animal print mad’. Figures released by John Lewis showed that searches for leopard print clothes have rocketed 170% year-on-year – with M&S animal print gear, its range by Sienna Miller, is selling like hotcakes.
Personal shopper and fashion expert Gina Rogers says that leopard print has ‘never been so fashionable’. She said: “Bet Lynch was hardly the epitome of style in the Rovers Return, but men wanted to be with her and women wanted to be like her.
“It may all have been a bit tongue-in-cheek, but that style is now something which is being sought out, not just by the older generation, but the Gen Zs too.
“It’s a style which can be adapted to suit anyone, from glamorous granny to trendy teen.”
A recent study by married dating site Illicit Encounters found that blokes loved women wearing animal print clothes, with leopard print firmly in top spot.
In second spot was zebra print, followed by tiger, snake and cheetah print. Sexpert Jessica Leoni said that animal print was irresistible to blokes.
She said: “We conducted a poll of 2,000 men to find out which animal print they can’t resist on a woman, and judging by the results they clearly love a walk on the wild side.
“Leopard print takes the top spot, as men likely see it as sexy and fun, evoking that bold, confident energy.”