Playing with wild prints can be a very dangerous game. Of all of the fashion faux -pas, nothing is quite as heartbreaking as the blatant abuse of animal print.
This year, zebra strips, giraffe prints, cheetah and leopard spots are everywhere in women's fashion thanks to the African, Asian, tribal and safari style fever that's come over designers from Dolce & Gabbana and Proenza Schouler to Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta and couturier Christian LaCroix.
Keeping Animal Print Fashions Tasteful
There are a few essential tips you must remember if you dare to wear animal prints. Despite the fact that designers were wild for animal print in their spring 2008 collections, you do need to exercise a little trend-independent fashion judgment.
Just because something is available in animal print doesn't mean it should actually be worn, and (this year especially) there is no shortage of clothing manufacturers out there committing fashion crimes with animal print. Translation: do not wear co-ordinating pants, jackets, jumpsuits, coats or skirts in animal print patterns.
Don't Overdo Animal Prints: Matching too many elements of an outfit makes you look like you're trying too hard to make a fashion statement. Instead, aim for a balanced ensemble of complementary pieces. Even though safari style is all the rage for spring and summer 2008, no one wants to feel as if they have actually just been on a safari after spending time with you.
Stick to One Animal Print: Animal prints are most fashionable when worn only in one pattern, and to keep things tasteful, limit the print to one item at a time, like a zebra print skirt with a solid top and jacket, or a leopard print blouse with a simple black trouser or pencil skirt – unless, that is, you are going for the Cruella DeVille look, in which case, (by all means) deck yourself out from head to toe in one (or multiple) animal print.
Accessorize with Animal Patterns: If your fashion sense is a bit too tame to tackle large blocks of animal print, play it safe and look for animal patterns in smaller items or accessories.
What to Wear with Animal Print
Print looks chic as a compliment to neutrals and solid color-schemes, especially basic black, crisp white, chocolate brown, and beige.
Smart and timeless ways to wear animal prints are as a handbag, shoes, a scarf, a blouse (especially under a blazer), mittens or muffs.
Tips on Wearing Wild Print
- Keep your silhouette simple, elegant and sleek.
- You are not a lion; don't wear a wild mane. Save big hair for less courageous fashions.
- Animal print may bring out your wild side, but resist wearing animal print with a dangerously short skirt; you'll look like a cougar on the prowl.
- Finally, the key fashion ingredient required to pull off animal print with style is confidence, so if you're not sure about if or how to incorporate animal patterns into a wardrobe, don’t!
Image Courtesy of RevolveClothing.com
Johneen Manning - My skills and interests are broad and varied – a consequence of the fact that in my early 20s I couldn't figure out what I wanted to ...
