Fashion is all about having bags of confidence, and nothing is more confident than opting for bold patterns and prints.
Bring the catwalk to your wardrobe this Autumn/Winter, with the return of animal print. Whether you choose to dress up your favourite autumnal outfit with a few leopard accessories, or you mix and match your prints, you’re bound to make a statement.
If you’re looking to give animal print a go this season, read on for our top five ways to wear the trend now.
Make it clash
© (L-R) Zara/New Look
The best thing about the modern animal print trend is that it is as versatile as black. So, there are no rules that say you have to choose between those new leopard trousers or that zebra print top. Contrasting animal prints against one another is a great way to modernise your older pieces and to give you some new options. So, don’t be afraid to style your prints together.
We recommend pairing this snake print blouse from Zara with this longline leopard coat from New Look to nail the ultimate AW18 trend. Layering your pieces will ensure your outfit is quirky yet stylish and will be a great way to get your clashing prints in.
Add detail with accessories
© Terry de Havilland
If you’re wary of fully committing to a new trend but still want to give it a go, accessories will be your saviour. Items as small as clutch bags, hairbands, and belts can make all the difference to an otherwise plain outfit. And, with the trend set to continue through AW18 we suggest investing in some luxury pieces that’ll see you through the colder weather. We recommend these Victoria gold mamba boots from Terry de Havilland for some winter-appropriate footwear that will help you step out in style, day or night.
You might even want to add touches of animal print to your jewellery for a subtle yet fashion-forward boost. Drop earrings, large hoops, and stacks of bangles adorned the catwalks this season so, for some extra style points, keep your eye out for these pieces in animal print.
Go full leopard
© Topshop
On the AW18 catwalks, we saw full leopard print looks from the likes of Tom Ford and Zadig & Voltaire. Follow suit and go all out with a complete animal print ensemble.
We love this leopard print denim jacket and skirt co-ord from Topshop for the perfect daytime look. You could even match this with a pair of leopard print mules: the ‘in’ shoe design of the moment. And best of all, with a co-ord, you can take each of the pieces separately and mix and match them with other elements in your wardrobe.
If you’re not feeling brave enough to rock the full-leopard trend during the daytime, why not give it a whirl on an evening? Head out for a dinner in an elegant satin leopard shift dress and matching heels or hit the town in a leopard trouser co-ord to keep you on-trend and warm in the winter months.
Get colourful
© Missguided
A great way to make your animal print look modern is by injecting some colour into the classically neutral prints. We’re big fans of this pink cropped snake print jacket from Missguided for a trendy statement piece.
If you’re unsure of which colours are on-trend, the Pantone Fashion Colour Trend Report AW18 has been released, showing us we should expect plenty of bold and bright colours. So, whether you pick yellow, orange, or red for your prints, you’ll be bang on trend this season. If you’re looking to incorporate some celebrity influences into your animal print, make like Kim Kardashian and re-introduce neon into your wardrobe. With clothing retailers flocking to meet the mogul’s current colourful obsession, it won’t be long before neon leopard starts to make an appearance in our favourite stores.
Go simple
© & Other Stories
We know that some occasions won’t call for a full snakeskin co-ord, so why not pick a few versatile animal print pieces that will look sophisticated and stylish while still being on trend?
Choosing a zebra print blouse, like this one from & Other Stories, to pair with some tailored black trousers will give you the ultimate off-duty look. While, adding a leopard trench over an all-black outfit will lend you a statement piece to treasure for years. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to animal print, so you can add as little or as much as you want. For those looking to take the initial first step, we recommend making it casual with some blue denim and a leather jacket for a relaxed look.
Wearing animal print has always been a popular way of incorporating some fun and excitement into your wardrobe but, with new colourways and items flooding off the catwalks and onto the high street, knowing how to wear it is key. With our top five style ideas, you’ll be an animal-print pro in no time.