Eye of the Tiger

Love it or loathe it - animal print is having a fashion moment all of its own with sophisticated leopard and cheetah prints . Everyone is seeing spots!

Who would have thought that animal print fashion could be with us for so long?  There was a stage in which fashion experts were certain that animal prints were just a passing fashion trend, but years later the look is still going strong.  In your face you know who! All the A-List celebrities are wearing it, and we are all lining up to buy it.  Unsurprisingly it's leopard print that has remained the most popular, with tiger print somewhere behind it.

Cheetah and leopard appeared on the runways in the form of dresses, jackets, coats, skirts, pants, scarves, shoes and handbags. Animal magic worked its charm for another season yet! 

Bisous et calins! (hugs and kisses)

Nikki

How to Wear an Animal Print

Animal print can easily tread a fine line between tacky and tasteful.  Fashion’s golden rule has always been to keep animal print to one single piece and keep the rest of your outfit simple. The safest way to wear animal print is sparingly!

• Pair leopard print with beige or black to keep it chic and refined.

• Dip a toe into the trend by adding a leopard print accessory to a simple and plain outfit. This could be a scarf,  some tights, gloves, a structured bag or a pair of cute shoes.

•  Keep accessories to a minimum to keep it chic.
• Go for good quality fabrics. Cheap material can look less than chic when it’s an animal print. 

On several of my last shopping trips both in LA and Orange County the hot thing to hit the jewelry market seems to be animal shaped jewelry. This latest craze consists of animal-shapes on necklaces, rings, bangles and brooches. In fact I sit here writing this with a Jewel Encrusted Owl the size of my entire hand sitting on my middle finger.  Find birds, butterflies, jaguars, tigers and dolphins and many other of God's heavenly creatures. 

Whether it’s a cute animal motif or a wild leopard or cheetah print, this fall and winter season is full of animal magic!