Fash-on: Wild

Photos by Brian Klein

Autumn is here and that means it is time for a wardrobe update! Oh yeah!

This season is about to get crazy and well, there comes a time in your life when you need to embrace nature and just go wild. So, gear up for winter with some great ANIMAL PRINTS. Try it! Anything from Leopard to cheetah, zebra, buck and snake skin.

This particular trend entered fashion consciousness last winter with subtle hints but has taken the front seat this year as seen on runways from Burberry, Prada, Gucci, etc. for A/W 2013 and has thus been trickling down into department stores everywhere. If you can afford the designer treats, great for you, but, as we know trends will change next season and who wants to be stuck with a really expensive item of clothing that lasted just one season? Save your pennies and get some inexpensive items that you can add to your already existing wardrobe to make it more current.

It is not really hard to wear this trend as you can match it with many of the basics already in your wardrobe. It goes incredibly well with blacks and browns and as long as you are sticking with the palette of the particular animal print you should not go wrong. But if you are afraid, use it either as an accent in items like socks or a scarf, instead of a floor length leopard trench. I decided to mix and match it to the max with some other items from my summer wardrobe to create transitional ‘new-looks’ for autumn and also saving myself mounds of money!

A huge hit this summer were refrigerator pants, a.k.a. slimmer MC hammer pants. They are extremely comfortable and can work for many situations. I use mine as loungers, pj’s, ‘going to the corner store’ wear or I have even dressed it up with a suit jacket to a very formal wedding. It just depends. Of course they come in a variety of colors and patterns but I find that having a basic black pair is the most useful. In the summer heat, it is nice and fresh allowing air to circulate and you can hike them up as makeshift shorts or you can wear medium length. However, as the weather gets cooler, roll them down and wear a pair of long tights underneath. I decided to go for a leopard print pair just for a different layer. It keeps you warm and stylish at the same time.

For days that are not too cold and that might require some protection from a passing shower, why not try a hooded parka that keeps you insulated from the elements. It is thin, stylish and easy to pack in your backpack or bag as it does not take up any space. And the easiest thing about this coat is that you could just pair it with black skinny jeans, a black v-neck t-shirt and you are ready to go. So easy and it will take you about five minutes to throw it all together. You can also pair this with an added layer of a black cardigan which is great. It also works well for many situations and can be used casually or dressed up to be more formal.

If you are brave and want to be bolder, why not try animal print as the main focus, going for a bright green print t-shirt layered under the cardigan. Leather also goes well with this black combo and a carry-all is great for your essentials, especially for a weekend getaway. Stylish and not too intrusive. Shoes are also a great way to introduce this pattern into your wardrobe and are not as shocking as some of the other additions might be.

Finally, as the weather clears up from cloudy summer to a brighter winter don’t forget to take care of your eyes and get some sunglasses with an animal print frame to protect you from the harsh rays of the sun.

Happy shopping.

Leopard Parka – 8 seconds

Leopard Tshirt – H&M

Refrigerator pants – Gmarket

Cardigan – Uniqlo

Leopard Tights – Gmarket

Sneakers – Gourmetshoes

Hat – Hats off

Leather carry all – H&M