Brains and Bronzed

Leopard and python and cheetah, oh my! So many prints, so little time! But the real question is: how to wear animal print?!

It can be a major struggle trying to A. Built up the confidence to wear animal print and B. Understand how to wear animal print! When animal prints started making their way back into the fashion scene a couple years ago, it was a bit of a risqué and difficult print to pull off. Fast forward to FW 2020, and these prints are still just as hot! But lucky for us, they’re becoming easier to wear!

So what’s the secret? How do you make like a leopard, python or cheetah and look fire doing it? I have 3 simple tips!

1. Opt for a lower risk piece. You don’t have to go all in with a main outfit piece! Start slow with a shoe or bag to ease your way into the wild side of prints. These pieces can act as compliments to your safe style pieces (you know, black dress, black top, etc)
2. Keep other pieces neutral. I’m ALL for a statement piece in print, so if you’re feeling confident to go all in with a dress, keep everything else simple. No crazy colours, no additional patterns, no wild shoes. Stick to toned down accessories that allow your statement animal print take centre stage — and keep your outfit from looking like a total zoo.
3. Don’t splurge. I know I said that the animal print trend isn’t nearing extinction just yet, BUT keep in mind that this statement print likely isn’t something you’ll wear time and time again — mostly because of how noticeable it is (the ‘gram will definitely catch on to you wearing that leopard print 3 posts in a row — major faux pa(w)ux) So opt for more affordable dupes at stores like Zara, the soon-to-be-gone-forever Forever 21, or better yet, get super retro with it — THRIFT STORES!

As much I hope as these 3 tips help you on your safari adventure of styling animal print, the most important thing to remember is CONFIDENCE IS KEY. If you feel confident, you can pull off anything you’re wearing.

Go get ‘em tiger!

If you like to keep it more serious and keep far from the wild side, check out my post on 3 Different Types of Business Attire!