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How to style animal print and create balanced looks

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How to style animal print and create balanced looks

It's Monday morning, and you stand in front of your wardrobe. You see that animal print blouse you bought because it looked amazing on you… but then you wonder, how do I style this without looking tacky? How can I wear it to work? In the end, you play it safe and end up feeling bored and stuck in a style rut. Don't worry—Lookiero is here to help you break the monotony with style by incorporating animal print into your wardrobe effortlessly!

Why animal print is trending and how to wear it with style

Fashion runways, influencers, and our favourite brands have made it clear: animal print is here to stay. We couldn’t be happier, as we love these prints for adding a bold and sophisticated twist to our outfits.

Animal print has never truly disappeared, and throughout the decades, it has been a recurring trend in fashion. Since prehistoric times, humans have used animal skins as clothing and accessories. In modern fashion, this print has evolved from being a symbol of luxury and exoticism in the 1950s to becoming a stylish wardrobe essential today. Thanks to technological advancements, we can now enjoy leopard, zebra, or snakeskin prints on a variety of fabrics and garments.

Jackets, dresses, trousers, shoes… Knowing how to style animal print is the key to creating balanced and sophisticated looks. Keep reading and add a wild yet chic touch to your wardrobe!

3 key rules for styling animal print flawlessly

  1. Less is more: how to wear animal print with elegance?

    The best formula for effortlessly styling any animal print is to incorporate just one statement piece into your outfit. Try pairing a basic ensemble with a single animal print item, ensuring that the rest of your look doesn’t compete for attention. For example, a black turtleneck jumper, jeans, and an animal print blazer or coat create a fail-safe street-casual look.

    ⚠️ Be careful when mixing multiple animal print pieces, as it’s easy to overdo it. If you want to experiment with print-on-print styling, make sure both patterns share the same colour tones for a harmonious result.
     

  2. Animal print and Colourimetry

    For cool-toned skin (summer and winter types), opt for animal prints with blue-based undertones, as well as neutrals like grey or white. Zebra and white tiger prints are ideal. For a bolder approach, shades like electric blue, fuchsia, or purple can add an extra edge to your outfit. If you love the classic leopard print, look for pieces where black dominates over gold or warm brown hues.

    For warm-toned skin (spring and autumn types), go for golden undertones such as beige, peach, or warm orange hues. Vibrant colours like red, orange, and yellow will complement your natural warmth beautifully. And, of course, classic leopard print is a perfect match for you.

    Pro tip for a statement look: Pair a neutral-toned animal print with a vibrant colour like neon green for an eye-catching contrast.

  3. Adapt animal print to your body shape
    Use this print to highlight and enhance the areas of your body you want to accentuate, while opting for neutral or solid tones in areas you'd like to minimise.

    • To enhance the bust, choose printed blouses, tops, or jackets.

    • To highlight the legs, go for animal print trousers, skirts, or leggings.

    • If you have wider hips and want to balance them out, opt for dark, solid-coloured trousers and wear animal print on the upper body.

    • For a more streamlined silhouette, choose dark-background animal print pieces or smaller, more subtle prints.

How to style animal print according to the garment

Animal print trousers: how to pair them?

Animal print trousers have become one of the biggest fashion obsessions in recent seasons. From cow print to snake, Dalmatian, zebra, tiger, and of course, the classic leopard print, the options are endless. But how do you style animal print trousers without looking tacky? The key lies in choosing the right pieces to create a balanced and stylish look. Keep reading to find out how to wear them effortlessly!

Classic outfit with a basic shirt: Without a doubt, pairing animal print trousers with a simple shirt is a smart yet effortless choice. It's a timeless and elegant option that works without too much thought when getting dressed. For a casual touch, opt for ballet flats, which add comfort and ease to the look. If you're aiming for a more formal and polished outfit, go for heels or loafers, instantly elevating the ensemble.

Casual outfit with bold colours: If you want to give animal print a modern and vibrant twist, try pairing neutral-toned printed trousers with brightly coloured pieces, such as a neon green jumper combined with a pink or fuchsia coat. This combination strikes a balance between classic and daring, making it perfect for those who want a statement look with personality. Complete the outfit with white trainers or flat ankle boots, ideal for a stylish yet practical everyday look. To elevate the ensemble, opt for stilettos or loafers in neutral tones, adding a refined touch without losing freshness.

Street outfit with leather pieces: Achieve an urban look with a rock-inspired touch by pairing animal print trousers with a leather biker jacket. For example, opt for cow-print trousers, a white T-shirt, and a classic biker jacket to create a bold and edgy outfit. If you want a more casual look, pair it with trainers, while for a more polished and formal style, go for pointed-toe ankle boots to elevate the ensemble.

Animal print shirts and blouses: a key piece in your outfit

Few garments are as versatile as animal print shirts and blouses, a timeless classic that never goes out of style. They have the power to transform any look, depending on how you style them. Whether for a formal office outfit, a casual daytime look, or an elegant evening ensemble, an animal print shirt is an essential wardrobe staple.

Casual ready-to-go outfit with jeans: If you're looking for a relaxed yet stylish look, the best option is to pair an animal print shirt with jeans. This simple yet effective formula allows the printed shirt to be the focal point of the look, creating the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated.

Monochrome outfit: A foolproof way to take your look to the next level, the easiest approach is to play within the same colour palette, so if you choose a leopard print shirt, pair it with brown, beige, or gold-toned pieces to maintain harmony and enhance the print without overwhelming the look, for a more modern take, go for a total black outfit with animal print accents or add gold or bronze metallic accessories for a refined finish.

Classic and polished outfit with an animal print dress: A timeless choice that never fails, whether for the office or a special event, an animal print dress is synonymous with elegance and personality, so for a sophisticated look, pair it with a neutral-toned blazer, pointed-toe heels or ankle boots, and minimalist accessories, whereas if you prefer a more laid-back style, team it with white trainers or sandals and a leather or denim jacket for a relaxed yet stylish touch.

Animal print skirts: styling ideas for every season

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If you search online for “how to style an animal print skirt”, you’ll find plenty of looks and outfit ideas. However, what you might not find is how to adapt it to different seasons.

How to style an animal print skirt in summer? Whether mini or midi, the possibilities are endless. Pairing it with a silky camisole creates a feminine and elegant look, while a basic logo T-shirt gives it a street-casual vibe. As for footwear, the choice is clear: flat or heeled sandals will complete the look effortlessly.

How to style an animal print skirt in winter? This is probably the trickiest question, so opting for a midi or maxi length and making layering your best ally is key by pairing it with a cosy jumper in neutral tones like black or beige for a timeless look or going for bolder shades like red, purple, or yellow to add a touch of vibrancy, finishing the outfit with the right coat, whether it's a wool coat for a classic style, a faux-fur biker jacket for a more street-inspired look or a puffer coat for a casual and cosy outfit when the cold hits, and completing the ensemble with boots or ankle boots, the ideal footwear choice for winter.

And how to style an animal print skirt in spring and autumn? During transitional seasons, you can play with the length of the skirt depending on the weather. On warmer days, go for a mini skirt, a black shirt, and trainers. On cooler days, opt for a midi or maxi skirt, a sweatshirt, a denim jacket, and ankle boots. The sky's the limit!

Animal print shoes: how to style them without overdoing it

Animal print shoes are a fail-safe choice for adding personality and style to any outfit. However, as a bold statement piece, it’s essential to know how to pair them and choose the right garments. If you’re wondering how to style animal print shoes with clothing without making the look too busy, the key lies in balancing tones and keeping the shoes as the focal point.

Which clothing colours go best with animal print shoes?
To maintain balance and let your shoes take centre stage, the best approach is to stick to neutral tones and strategic pairings:

Neutral colours: Grey, black, white, beige, navy blue… Perfect for achieving a sophisticated and effortlessly elegant look.

Earthy tones (camel, brown, sand): These work particularly well with leopard and snakeskin prints, creating a harmonious and polished ensemble.

Pops of colour: If you enjoy bolder combinations, add garments in red, bottle green, or burgundy, while keeping the rest of the outfit balanced.

Winning colours and combinations with animal print

If you’ve searched the internet for questions like “how to pair animal print with red” or “which colours go best with animal print”, you’ve probably come across countless ideas—but not all of them are easy to apply or actually look good. Animal print is a versatile pattern that can adapt to various styles, from the most classic to the boldest. Here are some foolproof combinations to wear it with confidence and style: 

Classic and safe combinations

If you prefer a timeless and elegant look, go for colours that never fail:

White, black and beige: These are the ultimate neutral tones and the easiest to pair with prints. A subtle outfit featuring an animal print belt or an animal print T-shirt paired with beige trousers are both safe and sophisticated choices.

Bold combinations

If you love experimenting with fashion and wearing bold colours, try these daring combinations:

❤️ Animal print with red: One of the most frequently asked-about pairings! The key to making it work is keeping the balance. A casual outfit could include leopard print trousers, a white shirt and a red jumper layered on top. To elevate this look and make it more formal, choose the right accessories and shoes to refine the ensemble.

💖 Vibrant tones: If you're looking for an original yet not overly flashy option, opt for bold colours like mustard yellow, burnt orange or emerald green. These shades pair beautifully with leopard and tiger prints, adding warmth to the outfit. Blue in all its shades is another great match for animal prints—don’t forget that denim also counts as blue! But what we love the most are colourful animal print pieces, which bring a unique and daring touch to any look.

Get inspired and find your style with animal print

Now that you know the best combinations and tips for wearing animal print, it's time to get inspired and experiment with this versatile and on-trend pattern! Wearing it with confidence is a true style statement.If you're still not entirely comfortable or feel unsure about how to incorporate it into your everyday looks, try Lookiero and receive pieces selected by a Personal Shopper, who will help you integrate animal print into your wardrobe easily and in a personalised way. Unleash your wild and sophisticated side! ✨🐆🔥

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