Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, animal prints are a huge trend right now. They were hot in the summer and even hotter for fall. You’ll see some sort of version at pretty much every retailer. The thing with animal prints, they’re kinda are always in, just how you wear them fluctuates. Which means now is a great time to get some pieces that will be super trendy now but also last in your wardrobe for years to come. Here are a few suggestions on how to shop and wear the trend:

Leopard: A leopard piece is the way to go If you don’t really think yourself as trendy but you like the trends.  Or, if you’re someone who hates the trend when they first come out, but then end up liking it once you see it all over (guilty!).  Leopard works really well for fall because its already set in fall colors with the browns, taupes, blacks and creams.  I suggest finding a leopard blouse in a soft flowy material.  You can dress up a pair of jeans or wear it with some white shorts for a late summer look.   Come actual fall pair with a boyfriend cardigan or with your fav moto/leather/jean jacket for a cool girl appeal.  A leopard blouse always works well for workwear too.  Be trendy by pairing it with a tie waist cropped pant in blush.  Once this of the moment trend dies down a leopard blouse will still work well in your closet especially if you’re just pairing it with a black pant/skirt for work or a dark denim for casual wear.  If you want something a little more trendy the oversized leopard print cardigans are huge!  Nordstrom’s version sold out but the one on Amazon everyone is grabbing.  I also really like the black and cream/white leopard prints as a take that not everyone is wearing…

Snakeskin:  Now snakeskin is like the uber-trendy trend right now.  So if you want to be in, then snakeskin it is.  You’ll see snakeskin right now in everything… I mean everything!  From trench coats to shoes to bags to joggers… snakeskin everything!  But, because of this, you can find some really cool pieces, like a red snakeskin printed bodysuit I picked up from Express which is a total fun twist on the trend.  What I recommend shopping for though, is a pair of snakeskin boots!  These are something that will work in your wardrobe for years to come!  For you regular trendy people, get an ankle boot.  Wear it with white jeans and a white tank for a wear now look and then wear it with black jeans and a black tee come actual fall.  For you super trendy folks, get a pair of tall OTK snakeskin boots! Wear them with a t-shirt dress or a band graphic tee and shorts for a late summer look.  Come fall pair them with a sweater dress and a trench or the classic leggings/tee/jacket combo.  Even wear them with a pencil skirt for a wear to work look.  For the not-so-trendy shop for a pair of snakeskin flat mules or loafers.  Just a pop of snakeskin that keeps you on trend but not by too much and a style you can wear to work to running errands to casual outings.

Zebra:  If you don’t want to be wearing the same trend as every girl on IG then zebra is the way to go.  Just as in as leopard/snakeskin but a little different, and a little harder to find so you’ll stand out in a different way.  If you want to be even more mega trendy, pattern mix it with other animal prints, I especially like it with a tiger print or giraffe print.  Right now shop for a slinky midi skirt in a zebra print.  The leopard version is all over the place, but a zebra print is a more unique alternative.  It’s really wearable and on trend with just a white tee and sneakers, but I would wear it with heels… you know me.  Come fall, throw on a denim jacket for weekend, a cardigan for work, or a leather jacket and black heels for a night out.  This Ann Taylor Zebra Print Skirt, it’s the perfect transitional piece plus it’s one you could wear 10 years ago and one you could wear in 10 more years.  With all these animal print pieces a nice fabric in a sophisticated style will allow you to get more wear out of the pieces for years to come.

Fun fact about me, zebra’s are my favorite animal.  With that being said, I don’t really like a zebra print unless its done extremely tasteful.   That’s the trick to wearing animal print find it in luxe fabrics and fits that will read classy not trashy and then have fun with it with what you pair it with.  Now they become pieces that last beyond the trend!  What animal print pieces do you have your eye on?

PS:  I have a great neutral makeup look that works with all these looks, and transitions into the fall.  If you want to see more leave me a comment!