The Animal Print

Women of a certain age remember the silver-screen starlets of the 1950s slinking into animal-print clothing without it being overly sexy – just cool. Sophia Loren’s modestly cut faux tiger coat would get the paparazzi clicking just as fast as the next cleavage-baring actress. Today, the design duo Dolce & Gabbana is known for using animal prints as a neutral part of their collection, any year and almost any season – their customers know that it matches nothing, so it complements virtually everything!

When you are ready to embrace this long-standing tradition of high style, select one single piece as a toe in the water toward “growl power.” Make certain the item you reach for flatters you where you are in your life, as it can easily overpower a look if one is not careful. Here are easy ways to infuse the ferocious at any age.

Twenty something: Animal cubs unite! The limit on wearing any print, from Levi jeans for women, are far off in the distance, If you are a skinny girl try an animal legging beneath a solid tunic. Or push the envelope in a miniskirt in animal, which can boost a simple black jacket and black knee boots to new style heights. Take one bold piece and cool it down by making the other solids.

Thirty something: A wrap dress calls out to you from the wild. Younger, slighter women might get swallowed up in such a full-bodied print. You, on the other hand, have seen a bit more of the world and are okay with the curves you have earned as a result. Since the statement will be a larger one (nearly head to toe), go red, black, or flesh-toned with your accessories to tastefully balance the look.

Forty something: Run with your platform shoes for women, don’t walk, to get your hands on a fabulous animal-print trench coat or topcoat of great quality if you haven’t already. This coat paired with a fresh white T-shirt and your best black pants gives the look of having had style for decades.

Fifty something and beyond: Animal prints are old news to you. So go for the small accents. A sexy pump or kitten heel in faux leopard, that wide belt atop your cream skirt suit in exotic zebra, or maybe simply a long, silky scarf in a metallic animal print of your choosing with your best chinos and a crisp white shirt. This is style déjà vu done right.