The Animal Is In

Animal prints are back! Get ready to go wild and primal with your basic animal instincts, because they are about to make a huge roar and rock the fashion world. Safari animal skins such as zebras, snakes, giraffes, leopards and wildcats will dominate the 2010 fashion statement.

Animal prints are a fashion staple form the eighties that comes back every now and then. It creates a statement for the true blue fashionista that they are hot, adventurous, fearless and wants some fun in their lives. You can wear animal print patterns as top blouses, wide belts, pencil skirts, shoe pumps and scarves. Break away from the safe and boring, and make an impact and turn heads with big, bold zebra stripes, or mini, tiny cheetah spots on your basic little black dress.

The popular approach in pulling it off this type of design is to use a monochromatic approach that is both classy and elegant. The basic rule of thumb is to wear at least one animal print apparel to match your wardrobe – leopard print clutch bag to match your white and red ensemble, a zebra striped belt to accessorize your little black mini dress, or red hot shoe pumps with snake prints on them. Trying to wear too many of these all at the same time will only end up looking messy and confused. Also, they can look seductive, so try not to wear too revealing outfits with tiger-stripes in them, unless you are going for the S & M bondage look to tame your boy toy.

Jackets and coats with large, eye-catching animal prints also add sophistication and a bit of retro to the whole look, especially with their soft, velvet texture. It also adds an extra oomph to simple outfits. If you are more of the subtle type, you can have a basic bag, with a little of this print lining it, or a basic skirt or dress, with the same design on the linings or as details. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can also experiment with other colors besides the usual black and white, such as red, green, violet or pink. What you need to remember is to flaunt and accentuate your assets and what you already have – flaunt your curves with an animal print belt, show off your calves in shoes that bear this print, or let your hair down with an animal-design headband. The staple clothing brand Hollister and buying used Hollister in shopping bazaars, also employs this print from our friend animals in their designs.