Leopard print. Now, don’t think of Pebbles and Bam Bam, Elizabeth Taylor or even the 80s.

This autumn, think hints of leopard. Gone is the overstated leopard print fur coat, replaced instead by simple ballet flats, belts and scarves that quietly bring any outfit to life. The idea here is to spice up the monotonous browns and blacks that are so welcomed at the first brisk wind, but become dreary with time. Muted fall colors seem wonderful after a summer (and entire campus) filled with almost sickening pastel hues, but in reality, the browns, grays and blacks of our wardrobes often lose their initial appeal.

Here is where leopard comes in. Paired with black or brown, a leopard print scarf can revive that dumpy black T-shirt. Simple leopard ballet flats turn skinny jeans and a brown T-shirt into an outfit, and a thin leopard belt elegantly placed on a black sweater dress can transform you from a rushed student to collegiate fashionista.

Though we saw leopard on the Fall/Winter runways of Dolce and Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli, J.Crew has a fabulous pair of leopard ballet flats that are a cheaper alternative to the high fashion options provided on the runway.