Let’s go animal crackers

FOR A/W 21, catwalks across the fashion capitals should have been redesignated “Big-cat walks” as leopard, tiger, cheetah and jaguar jostled snake, zebra, and even cow (at hyper-cool Italian brand The Attico) to make animal-print a key trend.

When designers first put animal print on the runways in 2011 they not only removed its tacky image but transformed it into a modern staple. Since then, it has had so many “moments,” that many of us may simply go shopping in our wardrobe. But for young consumers, animal print is an exciting, achingly cool, new trend thanks to YSL, Balmain, Vuitton, Balenciaga et al. Even maestro of pared-back elegance Tom Ford showed it, with zebra print trousers and leopardprint maxi dress and jumpsuit.

Some brands hit the trend early, so there is animal print in the sales such as a cow-print Stella McCartney coat £890, (originally £2,225,Net-aPorter). Some of last season’s animal print from Ganni is in the Matches sale, while the Scandi brand reprises animal print with shirts, blouses, oversized canvas jackets and bags in its new collection.

High Street brands have gone wild over this trend, too. Whistles has animal print dresses in various cuts and lengths including red snake-print (£169), while River Island has crafted it into midi dress and blouses from £28. At M&S there’s good animal print including midi shirt dresses at £29.50, a red animal print puff-sleeve top at £29.50 and a crew-neck animal print cardi (£17.50). There’s more good animal print at Monsoon, M&Co, George at Asda and F&F.

A tamer approach is to add just a touch of animal print via a handbag, footwear or a witty accessory, such as sunnies (YSL; Whistles at Vision Express); a scarf by YSL or Oliver Bonas, which also has berets and hair-bands, or even a mask.