You’re Such An Animal…

It seems ‘animal print’ fashion is back in vogue this fall season.

So says any number of the style mags I’ve read over the past two weeks.

Never one for ‘what’s in’ myself, I enjoy piecing together looks that typically have nothing to do with the industry’s take on trends whatsoever.

The high fashion folk think I’m too edgy.

The conservative crowd find me just plain weird.

The trendy troupe draw objection to the fact I don’t match.

But fashion is a vehicle for me.

An artistic expression.

I’ve never been the type to just ‘throw something on’ – one’s appearance is often deemed an exercise in vanity by those who don’t think about it the same way I do.

But I cast no judgments on anyone who opts to dawn frumpy frocks, oversized shower curtains or teal and grey pant suits that reek of ‘need to fit in’.

My honest concern is that many Mom’s want to dress differently, portray their inner edge and look the ‘un-part’, but are either afraid to or don’t know how.

If animal print is something you enjoy, but don’t necessarily want to run out and buy a full faux leopard patterned turtleneck and matching skirt, here’s a list of how I enjoy using the look…

… My own personal ‘do and don’t’ list:

• Use it as an accent to an outfit in accessories (scarf, jewelry, shoes, purse).  The animal print itself doesn’t have to encompass your entire garb for the day and make it so you’d blend in perfectly to the backdrop of an African jungle!
• Having shoes or purse as animal print on a solid outfit stands out and adds punch to the look – like the difference between painting your entire dining room red or having a single accent wall.

• Keep animal prints in neutral colors… The color of the animal in nature…Like no purple zebra skin (am I the only one who hates that?).

• Limit animal print to one or two pieces…not head to toe. Or else you risk actually looking like the “zebra”.

• Think outside the box…look for animal prints that are not the normal ones like leopard and zebra.  Think giraffe!!

Have fun with your wardrobe…wearing animal print calls for it!

Stay Sexy,

C2