Animal prints will always be in style—and right now they're hotter than ever. From leopard prints to zebra stripes, animal prints have never left the fashion and trend catwalks. The bold mix of sensuality and femininity is why animal print is more of a colour than a passing trend.

Animal Print Shirt, Blazer

Today, famous fashion blogger of Style Pantry shows a new way to wear animal prints. Tip - team it with bright colours. The key here is to go for only one single vibrant color. Every fashionista must own at least a piece of this print, be it a dress, a top, a pair of shoes, a scarf, or a bag. Incorporating a bit of animal print into one’s wardrobe is more of a classic than a trend.

Animal Print Skirt, Dress

If you are a fan of casual style, you can have some fun by mixing seemingly incompatible styles and prints. Wearing leopard print with jeans is pretty common, but this particular set is also an example of mixing prints and mixing styles. If you feel comfortable, you can mix leopard with other prints such as geometric prints, stripes and even romantic floral prints.

Animal Print Shoes, Bag

Here are a few tips for wearing animal prints:
•    Choose toned-down accessories to keep the style glam instead of over the top.
•    The key to mixing is to either wear the same print in different colors or different prints in similar colors—don't overdo it.
•    When you opt for a loud color, pick a classic shape
•    Animal print can be overwhelming, so use one statement pattern at a time. Sometimes less is more.
Hope this has been useful and would help in future outfit planning.

Photo Credit: Style Pantry

 

 

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Going through our fashion archives for a whole different thing I stumbled on the runway pictures of Ghanaian label, Duaba Serwa and did a double take. Here was a piece that was almost exactly the same thing as a creation from Nigerian label, Obsidian…so who copped the style?

Duaba Serwa at Arise Fashion Week March 2012	Obsidian at Lagos Design Fashion Week October 2012
Duaba Serwa Lookbook	Obsidian Lookbook

Who do you think was more creative with this design?

 

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An important topic that most of us have on our mind to some degree is budgeting. Whether you support yourself or live off of a monthly stipend from someone, it’s always a prudent decision to evaluate your financial state and make wise decisions based on some sort of system.

When it comes to fashion items, we want to have it all, but we have devised a guide to buying wardrobe essentials, something to help us know when to save and when to splurge.

T-Shirt

Save or spend? Save.
Experts say: Save on tees because you wear them close to your skin, so you wash them more, and they don't have that long of a shelf life. Go for a good fit first and for fabric that doesn't look flimsy.

Jeans

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: Jeans might have been created for miners and manual laborers, but today you can wear them everywhere. Splurge on one or two good pairs and the right amount of stretch and should fit better than a cheaper pair.

Bra

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: Bras are a good investment item because they can affect your overall look. Focus on the fit. A great bra can make a 5- to 10-pound difference in your appearance.

Black Pants

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: A high-quality pair of black pants can last for years. Black pants are timeless and investing in a good pair is smart.

Jacket

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: A very good jacket can do a lot for your overall look. You could wear just a T-shirt and jeans, but an expensive, fabulous jacket upgrades your outfit. Look for a jacket to fit the widest part of your body.

Dress

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: A go-to dress works as a default outfit for any occasion, so you want one or two top-quality ones that will last for years. In particular, a dark dress, in black or some deep shade of brown or a jewel tone, is something to spend a bit more on.

Work Shoes

Save or spend? Spend.
Experts say: If you can afford it, buy one pair of really good shoes per season. Work shoes suffer wear and tear, and a good-quality pair will withstand daily use. Again, with shoes, higher prices mean higher-quality elements, like soft leathers that breathe, extra cushioning, and top craftsmanship. Choose comfortable heel heights and classic styles.

 

 

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There’s nothing scary about a stripe. In fact, the classic pattern is so inoffensive and flattering, it's basically a neutral. Take a look at any fashion magazine, style blog, or TV show, and what do you see? Stripes in every color and a variety of widths. Horizontal, vertical, even diagonal and chevron stripes are making a splash, and with good reason: Stripes are fun and flattering on practically any item in your wardrobe, from dresses and tops to shoes and skirts.


Many guys want to express their style with more than just solid colors, but they worry about bold patterns seeming a little over the top. With such a dilemma, stripes are the perfect solution. As popular as ever, stripes serve as a good compromise by staying conservative while allowing their wearer to separate himself from the masses clad in solid white or blue shirts.


You have two fundamental options to consider when choosing between the kinds of stripes to wear: horizontal or vertical. With few exceptions, horizontal stripes are the more stylish choice. Vertical stripes make you look taller, which can be great if you're vertically challenged.

More Stripes On The Runway

Add a graphic punch to your outfit by choosing accessories with multi-colored stripes. A scarf, handbag or headband is a great way to sport the striped trend, especially if you're not quite ready to embrace a striped top or dress. You can even sport stripes on your feet! If you're looking for some new kicks, try on a pair of fabric espadrilles, loafers, or ballet flats with stripe designs that range from subtle to bold. Chunky bracelets, watchbands and even novelty pedicures are unexpected ways for the understated fashionista to show her stripes.

Here are three quick pointers on wearing stripes:
•    It’s all about the fit: When an outfit fits perfectly, the pattern won't matter. Look for striped pieces that define your shape and accentuate your waist.
•    Match the pattern to the size of your frame:Don't let the pattern overwhelm your figure. This is what often leads to an unflattering pattern. Small frame = small pattern, medium frame = medium pattern, and so forth.
•    Help your proportion with distortion:Stripes can add volume to your figure. If lacking in the bust department just add a striped shirt. Need a little more junk in the trunk? Add a striped pencil skirt. It's the perfect way to balance out your proportion with distortion!

How would you work stripes into your outfit? Let us know!

 

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