What Everyone Needs to Know About Wearing Animal Prints

Tina, here.

When you dress mostly in monochrome, tone-on-tone and neutrals like I do, a good animal print here and there can do wonders to perk up an outfit. Roar.

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These are a few of my favorite things. Animal print accessories are a must-have in any wardrobe. Classic staples that look good year in and year out.

If you don't like wearing animal prints, that's fine, but just know it's one of the few patterns we like dressing our clients in because it's a classic and it pairs so well with most everything. But like double fringing, don't let me catch you double printing with wild big cat breeds. Here, ladies, is what everyone needs to know about wearing animal prints.

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1. If you go big, go small. What I mean is, if you wear an allover animal print, make sure it's a small print.

This is true of all prints, not just animal prints. When you drape a large print across your body, you are in effect increasing the surface area, or the amount of space it appears your body occupies. So a smaller print will trick the eye into seeing a smaller surface area. Calculus lesson over. November Style Vault update: I found 2 animal print dresses, one almost identical to the one I'm wearing here for just over $100! Just added to the Style Notes.

One of the colors I love popping against animal prints is turquoise.

Isn't this cloak so romantic? I just love the word cloak. You need a cloak. You need this cloak from J. McLaughlin. It is flattering on every shape – and I’ve seen this on many women. It's the perfect foil to all your animal prints. And you can use it as that ubiquitous piece, the cocktail dress topper, or over jeans and boots. Feel free to belt it. The weight of this cloak is perfect for layering, too. And guess what!
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2. If you think you don't like animal prints in general, try something more subtle like a reptile print.

Sometimes I just need something wild and crazy to wear. Enter my metallic reptile pants. I've worn them to a birthday party (for my favorite nurse) and a holiday party in the past.

Since the snakeskin pants are kinda the main act, everything else about my outfit is quiet. Including my jewelry. This keeps the look from going in that Real Housewives of New Jersey direction.

3. One pop of animal print can take an ordinary outfit from meh to oh my.

I got this amazing cheetah print scarf from J. McLaughlin. I wear it all the time with everything from jeans to my LBD. And sometimes I just leave it hanging down like this and don't even tie it in any artistic way. Style Vault Insiders get 20% off an amazing J. McLaughlin sweater this month I selected just for you! Shop a similar scarf like mine here.

And sometimes I tie it like this. Remember when you wrap a scarf around your neck, pull down the part under your chin so you don't look like you have a double chin or like you're suffocating.

An animal print shoe is everything.

Seriously, one animal print shoe can change your life. I got these haircalf leopard print Christian Louboutins half off, and I am not lying when I tell you that they are not terribly uncomfortable. Phew.

Tortoise pumps are equally as useful, and more subtle. Wear them with black, brown, whites and primary colors. Just added a beautiful tortoise pump to the November Style Vault, Style Notes, 70% off!

So mules. They were huge back in the '80's. They've been making a comeback the past few seasons, and I love them. I've had these for about 10 years and still wear them (no socks please). Because they are like a loafer, I wear them with ankle pants, and that's it. Otherwise they would look like man shoes under a full-length pant and just plain awful with a skirt or dress.

If you’re in the Nashville area, check out our amazing Nashville Wardrobe Consulting services, and don’t forget to join the Style Vault today to start shopping and saving.

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Thanks for reading and all the best,

Tina

I’m addicted to the vault! I can’t get dressed without you!

~ another happy Style Vault insider

Photos by Krissy Leigh Creative

https://www.flickr.com/photos/krissyleighphotography/