Animal Magic
There's something strangely alluring about animal prints... Despised for decades as the reserve of blue-rinsed old madams in big gold hoops, it suddenly seems time for a return to the wild. "The wild streets of Romford on a Saturday night?" I hear you all squeal. Well no, not quite. As even Essex embraces the ladylike chic running riotous through the high street sales post-festive-season, true stylers are taking their chance to indulge in something a little bit trashy, a little bit tacky, and a whole bunch of cool.
Animal prints are one of those precious pals that can add spice to any old outfit. Top-to-toe black with a tiger-print scarf looks instantly post-makeover Sandra Dee, whilst little leopard pumps will add a touch of Audrey to the most prosaic pair of cigarette pants. A coat or bag lined with zebra-print silk looks frivolous and fantastic, although if it all starts to feel a bit Kat Slater, you've probably gone too far: the key to this look is moderation.
The catwalk-conscious girl can rest assured that the whole extravaganza's got the Marc Jacobs seal of approval. He sent his models at Louis Vuitton's autumn/winter show putting their best white stiletto forward in silk leopard blouses and leather skirts. The antithesis of stealth-wealth, this is flash-trash, but unless you literally want to look like you got yours down the market, take it easy. Best kept to accessories, a shoe, scarf or cardie will look cute and quirky, whereas the kind of girl who'll wear zebra-print trousers probably isn't someone you'd want to cross on a dark night...so one step at a time. Remember, it's a fine line between big game and On the Game.
Nura Khan
12th Feb 2004