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| This Adriana Degreas + Charlotte Olympia leopard print swimsuit, $500, is just one way to wear leopard in this heat More info/purchase |
It’s a challenging time of the year from a fashion point of view. Labor Day signals the official end of summer but this week, the temperature and humidity will continue to be summer-like. This poses a problem if you’re like me and are itching to get into fall clothes, especially with Fashion Week approaching. Nothing says fall quite like animal prints which are back in a big way. But then again, when haven’t they been?
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| Zara leopard printed cotton oversized blazer |
Season in, season out, they are beloved customer and designer favorites. While it’s obviously too warm to wear a full-on leopard, pony, zebra, or tiger jacket or coat (faux or real), there are many other ways to get your Animalia fix. Among the lightweight offerings is Zara’s cotton double breasted oversized blazer, $119. More info/purchase
Current Elliot’s The Baby Trucker jean jacket, $330, More info/purchase & Mid-rise skinny jeans in leopard print, $230 More info/purchase
Ganni ‘Bijoux’ leopard print cotton-poplin shirt, $170. More info/purchase
You shouldn’t break into a sweat carrying a leopard printed bag; unless of course, you are toting your life around with you lol. But that shouldn’t be a problem with Simonetta Ravizza’s compact and lightweight leopard printed shopper, $1795. More info/purchase
Another ‘cool’ way to add a little Animalia in the heat, is with footwear, such as Proenza Schouler’s zebra printed calf hair mules, $1095. More info/purchase
You can keep that summer feeling going year round and ‘slide’ into fall with Michael Kors Collection’s Daphne leopard calf hair slide, $550. & More info/purchase
These Saint Laurent Charlotte zebra printed hair-calf pumps are simple, timelessly elegant, and go with everything, $995. More info/purchase
Naturally, animal printed sneakers and trainers also abound. I love the combination of casual and unisex with something more luxurious and feline. Hands down, the coolest sneakers I have come across are the NIKE Air Max 1 DLX Atmos Animal Pack AQ0928, $300. They are actually for men but women can simply size down. Jazzy and graphic, they are a patchwork of leopard, tiger, and zebra punctuated with the signature red Nike swoosh for added impact (they come with black laces but is packed with green and red laces as well). An added benefit is that they are perfect for running around. Literally! More info/purchase
Athleisure, or as I prefer to call it, athluxury is here to stay (it is not a passing trend and comfort and practicality have no expiration date). I like the idea of formalizing streetwear by wearing sneakers in an elegant way, in the manner of Brigitte Macron. The French First Lady is always appropriately pulled together regardless of whether she is in classic high heeled pumps or sporty trainers.
This past Thursday in Helsinki, while taking a tour of the Suomenlinna Fortress with First Lady Jenni Haukio of Finland, Mrs. Macron accessorized her strong-shouldered navy Balmain blazer and narrow pants, with Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton’s Aftergame sneakers, $795. More info/purchase
At 65, she is proof that sneakers are ageless and they are a perfect way to add a cool sporty edge to an otherwise tailored ensemble. Talk about HOT!
– Marilyn Kirschner
