Another Cat Joins the Fashion Jungle

It seems like animal prints always have a place on the fashion scene each fall; it’s just that each year, the animal who is leading the pack tends to change its colors, spots, or stripes. From what I am seeing on the runway and magazines it looks like the tiger is giving the leopard a run for its money. Tiger prints are slowly but surely making their way onto the fashion scene for fall 2012.

My heart will always belong to leopard, and to me it’s the all-time classic animal print. No matter what, I refuse to say that tiger is the new leopard, but it is interesting to see tiger print – often considered too silly, kitschy, or tacky to be high fashion – is getting a turn in the spotlight.

As far as the other trends that are going on in fashion, I think tiger print fits in quite nicely. Tiger print isn’t exactly retro, but it does have a rock and roll vibe and flavor to it. Both and zebra and tiger prints are often worn by rock stars; fashionista and songstress Rihanna was photographed in a pair of wild tiger print shorts earlier this season. Leopard shows up onstage, too, but it still seems to have more of a high-end, chic, and sophisticated feeling to it.

I haven’t decided yet if I am adding a little tiger to my wardrobe, but if I do, it will definitely be in its natural colors. I confess I just discovered a pair of Zara wedge shoes I swear are talking to me. I don’t do color animal prints, but for those of you who are interested, tiger prints in a rainbow of colors are making their way onto all types of clothing, accessories, and shoes. They aren’t my cup of tea, but some of these items are very cool.

Several fashion magazine layouts and runway photos are also pairing these animal prints together, and much to my surprise, a leopard skirt with a tiger blouse actually works in an ensemble. If you have ever wondered about mixing animal prints or ready to graduate from mixing floral and other prints, now is the time. Be careful, though; this is one trend where you may have too much of a good thing. I suggest you limit yourself to one or two animal prints when you’re putting together outfits, but who knows, maybe all of your animals will play nicely together in the fashion jungle.