Animal Prints RAWR

As I sit on my bed in decidedly unfashionable pajamas, attempting to write a post that is both witty and substantive, I realize that I can’t call to mind a single item currently or previously in my possession that boasts an animal print. Then I look up and notice my hidden in plain sight collection of formerly cherished Beanie Babies which includes a tiger, the name of which I’ve forgotten, and decide that maybe that isn’t the most accurate representation of my belongings. Nonetheless, while I never thought I was consciously avoiding the inclusion of animal prints in my wardrobe, I guess if you said, I’m not the pattern’s biggest fan, you wouldn’t be wrong. I often feel as if, like a past her prime beauty in a low cut top and tight jeans, it tries too hard to be sexy and fails. All the same, I indisputably have to hand it to Dries Van Noten for his inspired use of leopard print in his Fall 2010 RTW collection. It was sexy; laid back yet also polished, and spoke to the designer’s menswear roots. So, if you are going to try the leopard look this fall, I urge you to keep it simple and add a touch of masculinity to keep it from looking overdone.

By Jessica Best