Leopard print is huge this fall, but it’s not the only animal-inspired trend to appear in designers’ collections. Lions and tigers and bears have been spotted on dresses, tops, pants, and even shoes (oh my, indeed!).
With temperatures dropping and winter just on the horizon, animal motif sweaters have become a go-to for fashion A-listers: Alexa Chung, LeAnn Rimes, Kate Bosworth, and Taylor Swift have gone wild over this new furry trend.
But is wearing teddy bears, owls, and cats best left for the under-12 set?
We’re used to seeing animal motifs solely on preschoolers and the occasional elementary-aged fashionista. Pattern, cut and the design of the graphic all matter if you don’t want to look like you raided your little sister’s closet.
To pull it off, treat animal sweaters the same as you would non-printed ones: Choosing quality knits and a feminine fit will keep the furry find from looking like it came from the kids’ section. Avoid cartoon characters or cartoon-y looking prints, which will come off juvenile.
Check out shopping websites like Net-a-Porter for sweaters from designers like Markus Lupfer and Sonia Rykiel, or try Topshop, Forever 21, and H&M for cheap finds with a couture edge.
Pair sweaters with grown-up bottoms and accessories: think skinny jeans, pencil skirts and understated jewelry like simple earrings and a chunky watch. Unless you’re sitting at home by the fire, don’t wear these sweaters with sweatpants or leggings.
For examples of this trend in action, click through our gallery to see how celebs have been spotted wearing animal motif sweaters and for our take on who wore this tricky look best.
Will you be sporting a sweater with your favorite furry friend? Weigh in at the poll to the right.
Get our take on more of fall’s bold styles — and who pulled them off and who didn’t hit the mark — in our video below.
