It’s a jungle out there…. Animal prints such as leopard and snakeskin are everywhere! How do you tame this trend so you don’t look like you walked out of a zoo?
A little is animal print is sexy and chic at any age, but too much of it will make others roar..roar with laughter. (Remember SCTV’s Edith Prickly?) Don’t be a fashion victim.
A touch of exotic skin shows that you have a creative side and that you are not afraid to express yourself. However, be stingy with animal prints. Live by the ONE ANIMAL RULE. What’s that?
Deborah and JoJami with Christine in her fun leopard sweater
If your sweater is leopard like in the photo above… Boom. That’s it! You really don’t need any more leopard print anywhere else, and you definitely shouldn’t mix your leopard print with tiger, zebra, giraffe, snake, lizard …you name it. Instead pair that eye-catching leopard sweater with a classic pencil skirt in a neutral like black, camel, cream,brown, or gorgeous red, like Christine Kolenda did at NYC’s Beauty Bash event. Simple and chic, her sweater is her statement piece. Read more
Dear Glam Gals,
Is there a “season” for wearing animal print shoes? I just bought a pair of Magdesian fabric cheetah peep toe wedge sandals. But I have been told that animal prints are only for the Fall…even though these are sandals! Can I wear animal print in other seasons?
Thanks,
J
Hi, J! No – we think animal prints can be worn all year! The style of the shoe is more important for dictating the season a shoe can be worn in, moreso than the print or the color. Since sandals are appropriate for the Spring and Summer, you will be fine. Just watch out for the fabric of the shoe – if it is very shiny, it may only be right for a dressy outfit or an evening out.
Dear Glam Gals,
I have enjoyed your website tremendously. I do have a question regarding the recent trend to “unmatch” items. It seems that it is “in” right now to have shoes not match the bag and also to have almost mismatched items in an outfit. For example, I have seen leopard print shoes (brown and black) with a bright red dress and black belt (I would have gone with a black or red shoe). If I still match, does it make me look dated and out of fashion? The term “matchy-matchy” has been used. How do we know when to match and when not to?
Thanks,
TC
Hi, TC! We agree that this can be a confusing issue. Matching clothes is really based on your own personal style. It’s a lot like how you might want to decorate your house. Some people like the mixed-matched Shabby Chic look and others like an upscale, contemporary, monochromatic look. However, you are on the right track just by being inspired and seeing how stylists in magazines are putting outfits together.
It's all about personal style
Your description above with the leopard print shoe with bright red dress and black belt sounds right on track! One note of caution: If you are going to wear that leopard print shoe, leave the print at that. Don’t go buying the matching purse or belt.
A pattern made up of neutrals can be used to accent any solid bright color.
Moreover, when trying to wear a bright color shoe, do NOT match it with the same color bag. The idea is to have a fun “pop” of color, and not overdo it. If you want to keep it monochromatic, keep the colors subtle by using neutrals like white, tan, black, or grey. A bright yellow, red, or bright blue from head to toe is just too much!
