I’ve never really been one for animal prints. With my obsessive picky particular tendencies for color, matching and prints, I never found an animal print piece of clothing that appealed to me.
The colors were off. The print was odd (or tiled badly). This is stuff that 99% of people probably don’t give a crap about but it annoyed me. These requirements made animal print one of the few things I was weary about purchasing online, so I avoided it completely.
It wasn’t like my wardrobe was lacking as a result.
T-shirt: Merona, size 3.
Cardigan – Old Navy, XXL, no longer available.
Skirt – Avenue, 30/32, here.
Leggings, belt – Torrid
Boots – “Devy” via Roamans, similar here.
Necklace – F21
Lipstick – MAC in Girl About Town
Then Kath (who rocks leopard print, fyi) told me about this supereduperamazingomgiwantedit leopard print cardigan from Autograph that was a silk/cotton blend, with beautiful jet black buttons in the perfect colors, print and style. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford it and they disappeared by the time that I could.
Not the end of the world, right?
Fast forward a few months, and I saw a leopard print sweater in the Old Navy plus section. It was a zippered knit sweater, but the print and color were pretty spot on for my aesthetics. I jumped over to straight sizes and found this baby and her sister (in grey), for almost $20 less!
I ended up buying both and spending less than I would have buying the plus size sweater. Take that Old Navy! Then again, they still have my money.
The point? After this “epic” search, these cardigans have still been hanging in my closet for months. I’ve picked them up or tried them on with an outfit but things never looked right. Today it didn’t look right in the mirror but I decided the hell with it. Why not? And I was pleasantly surprised.
It doesn’t hurt that random strangers in the grocery store told me that my outfit was cute.
The lesson? Fashion and personal style are all about trial and error. Some things work, others don’t but you never know until you try (and try again)! You might be surprised.
Speaking of random strangers, this is one of my favorite roadside spots to take pictures. The problem is, everybody is heading home from work right before sunset.
I’ve more or less gotten over taking pictures of myself in public with a tripod and remote. I get that it is probably funny looking, especially since I have “looks” and “poses” even when I try to avoid them. Not one but two cars actually pulled over to sit and watch what I was doing. Really? Don’t you have something better to do?
What are your feelings on animal print? Love it or leave it? Is there a type of clothing, print, color or something else that you’ve sworn not to wear but ended up trying and liking?
Love your outfit, you look great!! I personally LOVE leopard print, in fact I’d go as far as obsessed!! X x
Thank you! I’m not quite there but it has been growing on me.
This outfit looks awesome! I love the pink with the brown with the black and the print. It seems like a lot, but it just works.
I don’t have too much in animal prints. I’m sure I have -something- but nothing is popping into my head. I think I avoid it because all the “Jersey” based shows have girls who are obsessed with animal print. As I’m part Jersey girl myself (not there any more, but still) I feel like I need to steer clear mostly.
Woo, another reason to be glad that I don’t watch reality TV, haha. I thought the brown/black wouldn’t turn out that well but was pleasantly surprised!
I bet you could make it work! I thought about trying something small to start – like a scarf or some other accessory but then the “dream” cardigan fell into my lap (or online shopping cart).
I love love love everything about this outfit. And to me, leopard print is a neutral lol. I’m not big on zebra, snake, or other animal prints, but to me leopard is so fun and punky, and really does look great with just about every color.
oh btw I am from New Jersey too lol
Thank you. Technically it is a neutral, all those browns! So you’d be right.
And it does look great with most colors. I really love leopard with red (Thanks Flickr Fatshionista pool!), it is usually wild and bold but still classy, in a way?
This outfit is fantastic. I love a bit of leopard print on a lady, it adds a certain je ne sais quoi that is super appealing to me. And that shade of purple is PERFECT for your colouring.
Also? You have fantastic skin. Just fantastic.
Thank you!
My skin doesn’t give me too much grief anymore (thankfully) but I should probably be taking better care of it.
This is an adorable outfit! I love the color of the top combined with the print of the cardigan. I like animal print but agree with your general assessment – much of it is badly done.
I wanted to buy the Torrid cardigan I linked… but the tiling and the black spots made me cry. I even checked it out in store… every single one had the same issue. Four black spots on the front that you could see a mile away!
Like you I have hesitated greatly when it comes to animal prints. I love them on others, especially the great and stylish Kath…but not yet on me. I love your look…I think I would venture some poppin’ bright red with some leopard or zebra print!
I do plan to go red with leopard too. It is actually what I grabbed for first… just felt it was a lot “bolder” than the pink for errands and knitting. I think you would look amazing! Maybe rocking the pomp too? Cute, cute, cute!
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