Style inspiration

Animal prints to suit different colourings

Animal prints to suit different colourings

You may well have been inundated with posts on the animal print trend. They are arguably the most popular trend this season. Animals of all varieties are prowling the streets and invading our wardrobes this Autumn. Do you love or hate them?

One of the challenging factors of this trend is the colouring. In real life, these wild animals have coats of spots or stripes in the warm tones of brown, tan and beige. These tones work well as camouflage in the wilds of the African bush. However, they may or may not suit our more delicate complexions.

 

I normally stick to my own advice and add a couple of animal print accessories to my wardrobe. This season I thought that I would be more adventurous and try out this vibrant red print top from Mint Velvet. It is a mid-tone red with a balance of cool and warm undertones so should suit most of us.

If you are feeling a little more reticent about the animal print trend you might prefer to give a nod towards this look and add a couple of accessories to your wardrobe. If you are not wearing the item near your face you have a wider choice. A pair of leopard print shoes can add pizazz to a plain outfit. If you plan to wear the piece near your face I would advise playing it safe and choosing a colour that flatters your natural colouring.

Animal print accessories

I am getting a lot of wear from my cool toned scarf as shown in a previous post here.

 

At first, I was not sure about this red top.  I thought it might be too bright for me, however, each time I tried it on it grew on me and I finally decided to keep it. By mid-winter when the sky is grey and dark I like a bright colour to cheer me up.

A selection of animal prints:

I have teamed my red leopard top with a pair of plain black trouser, several years old similar at Boden.

Over to you. Do you love or hate animal prints?

All photos by Laura Hines follow her Instagram. Location L’Orleans Gardens Twickenham

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

View Comments

  • Glad you decided to keep the red top. Colour looks great on you.

    I have a rather nice animal print shoulder bag and patent animal print shoes though I don't wear them at the same time. Bought both some years ago and they (re) appear when animal print is in fashion!!

  • Another great boot find with a nod to animal print: Joules have either an all-animal print Chelsea boot or a tan one with animal print at the back. I’ve gone for the all-over print but it was a struggle to chose! Flat, very comfortable and pull on. Also away from one’s face and the colour will go with so many others. Love this print in small quantities but I think the red looks really good as a larger piece too.

  • You look great Josephine, what a pretty blouse! Love the big black brooch, or is it a necklace?

    • HI Brenda
      It is a brooch. I have had it for some time. It is very useful as a coat fastener.

  • My all-time favourite colour that truly lifts the spirits. Wonder what it would be like with dove grey underneath?

  • Such a lovely shirt on you and as you mention will be great when those dull, grey days hit.

  • The red blouse looks great, it really suits you Josephine, my animal print is a scarf, I must be more adventurous and buy an item of clothing.

  • I am keen on animal print! I had a close fitting top in my forties. I think I wore it with high waisted trousers. Quite daring for me... I bought a tunic from Next last year and had a scarf that I wore so much for a few years... Still thinking about that JL blue scarf!

  • You look gorgeous in that top! It is stunning! I adore leopard print and have many items in leopard print. My favorite item is a faux fur coat, which I can dress up or down. Shoes and handbags and scarves are a great way to add them to your wardrobe and look! Great post.

  • You look like you're having fun, and what's more fun than an unexpected animal print! No wonder you chose it.

    I'm attending a birthday party for some pandas this week, so I might be tempted to go OTT with animal prints.I think it's allowed, given the setting.

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