Trending: Animal Prints
Take a walk on the wild side
Leopard is probably one of the most controversial prints out there. Over the past century, it’s had ebbs and flows in popularity, seen as both glamorous and trashy at different points in time. Beloved by designers like Christian Dior, ’70s rock stars like David Bowie, and pop icons like Madonna, in recent years it hasn’t been much in favor — until this season.
The Fall/Winter 2018 runways were full of animal prints. From leopard to zebra to tiger to snakeskin, fashion houses from Tom Ford to Diane von Furstenberg were taking a walk on the wild side.
This might seem like a pretty scary trend to try, but treat it like you would any other print and you’ll be fine. Not convinced? Read on for our guide on how to wear the trend.
Beginner: Animal Accents
Animal prints don’t have to be flashy. Area’s Fall 2018 show proved that they can be sleek, sophisticated, and very wearable. If you’re curious about trying the trend but don’t want to go all-in, take your cue from them and try going with accents first — think a subtle side stripe, or a scarf or bag.
Animal print shoes are also a great way to dip your toe in the trend, plus are enough of a statement shoe to add some flair to any old outfit.
Beginner: Take It More Literally
Aside from a gorgeous snow leopard coat, Carolina Herrera had a midi dress printed with tigers and other big cats walk down the runway. This is another subtle way to wear animal prints — wear prints featuring the actual animals on them, rather than the patterns of their pelts.
Intermediate: Do It With Denim
Animal print can seem pretty out there, so tone it down with one of the most common fabrics: denim. If you’re still easing into the trend, try a printed crop top with high-waisted jeans — the print won’t be so overwhelming. Feeling braver? A printed slip dress with an oversized denim jacket is an interesting twist to a style combo that’s very on-trend.
Intermediate: The New Black
For a look that’s a little more grown-up, pair your animal-printed piece with black. This is how you can make that leopard blouse work for work — go neutral with black trousers, shoes, and bags for the rest of your outfit, and it’s just like wearing any other printed blouse.
If you’re up for more of a style statement, leggings were also big on the Fall 2018 runways, so why not pair two trends with animal-printed leggings? Keep your top all black and you’ll look cool, not kitschy.
Advanced: Go Wild
True, some of the Fall 2018 looks went completely crazy with the animal prints, but don’t think that you need to for a head-to-toe look (unless you want to, of course). The key is balance: make like Zadig & Voltaire and wear a cute printed mini dress so you don’t overwhelm.
If you want something with a bit more coverage, go with smaller prints because they don’t look as bold. Try a co-ord set — the break between the top and the bottom also breaks up the print — or a print on a material like mesh so it’s not as loud.
“Feline” it? Check out our animal prints edit on ZALORA Philippines:
And if you’re wearing the trend, we want to see! Upload your OOTD on Instagram, tag us @zaloraph with #ZALORAStyleEdit.
