Fashion Trends 2018: It’s a Jungle Out There

Dubbed “the new neutral”, you’ll be tossing aside your basic monochromes and opting for snake, leopard, and zebra prints.

What if you replaced your black staple with something leopard or animal print? That’s what every fashion influencer, trendsetter, and designer has been doing this summer whilst preparing to carry the trend over to AW18.

Over the decades, leopard print has been considered a constant when it comes to trends and has always been symbolic for power and seduction. However, it’s a trend that can be interpreted in a number of ways and has been for style icons like Jackie Kennedy, Rihanna, Alexa Chung, and even Queen Elizabeth! As the print was one of the most sought after in the 20^th century and every socialite just had to have a leopard fur coat, Christian Dior was noted to write in his Little Dictionary of Fashion, “If you are fair and sweet don’t wear it.”

Fast forward to the 1950s when leopard lingerie and bikinis made waves within the fashion industry. The print later on was highly popular on the rock scene in the 70’s,with the likes of David Bowie who saw the trend as rebellious and a take on androgyny. Pop bands followed suit in the 80’s and 90’s, as who can forget Scary Spice’s skintight leopard jumpsuit? The animal trend most certainly had a new avatar every decade and now, in 2018, it’s back in a big way.

There may have been some confusion whether fashion week attendees were at a zoo or NYFW, as luxury designers took animal prints to a whole other level for Fall18 with head to toe prints, driving many accessible retailers to nose dive into every animal print going. Runway shows were peppered with Tom Ford’s cheery cheetah halter dresses, matching tights, and sequin embellished leopard suits, whilst Dolce & Gabbana used zebra and tiger, and Carolina Herrera experimenting with a quirky swan print.

If you think you can’t pull off a print, you’re highly mistaken. Designers and your go-to brands have made it easier than ever to rock an animal number, from subtle details with a bag or a printed boot, to all-out printed dresses and coats. The trend is for the edgy and cool, as well as for those who opt for classic lines and feminine silhouettes - there really is a print for everyone.

Did you even shop this season if you didn’t buy into an animal print? Need some help? Here’s some inspiration from AboutHer.com’s favorite animal items.

Shoes:
1- Leopard-print spandex sock boots, Balenciaga