First Year Liberal Arts student Manon Wiliam gives us her tips on how to wear the hottest trend of 2019
By Manon Wiliam
A variety of animal prints graced the catwalk during the New York A/W 2018 Fashion Week. Victoria Beckham's classic leopard print pieces, Tom Ford's variety of snakeskin hues and Prada parade of tiger stripes all emphasised animal print's place in high fashion.
#ThingsImGuiltyOf being obsessed with zebra print
— EM✨ (@_emthesavage) May 23, 2012
So here’s how-to-wear guide, throwing it back to the 80s- when zebra print first rose to prominence in the world of fashion. Sometimes we need to promote being more fearless in expressing ourselves and I believe a bold look like zebra print can achieve this.
Tom Ford’s AW18 collection boasted bold sequined zebra print trousers. Kaia Gerber, the daughter of Cindy Crawford, represented the brand accompanied with an oversized puffer coat, large diamante hoops, a wide headband and a boxy handbag, guiding the way for high street brands to replicate.
From leopard to ocelot, zebra to tiger, fashion is really wild for animal print this Autumn - From left to right: Victoria Beckham, Max Mara, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors - via @BritishVogue #fashiontrends #AW18 https://t.co/sEOuVXpz1d pic.twitter.com/wR2URTY9B9
— theshoppingguru (@theshoppinggur1) November 17, 2018
So I know I’ve just spent some time showing off styles of zebra print from completely unaffordable high fashion brands. But I feel it’s always fun looking for big inspirations before being realistic, and styling yourself to look a lot more fun and inclusive, and saving hundreds of pounds!
After not being a fan of neon colours for a while (also quite 80s), I’ve recently grown a liking towards neon green, especially paired with zebra print. Neon green has been worn recently by celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Rihanna and Chanel Iman. It also has just officially been declared the ‘unofficial colour of 2019’ by FEMAIL. Why not try this high neck neon green zebra top on Depop, paired with a faux leather dungaree dress, which can be found on Pretty Little Thing.
Image: Depop/ elclothing
Or a separate pairing is also a possibility, keeping the original monochrome style of the print contrasted against the green, using the zebra print pattern as an accessory.
Image: Depop/ dotblue
A fine mesh zebra print bodysuit like this one from ASOS offers a subtle flash of skin and can be paired with a pair of jeans and some hoop earrings to funk up a daily look.
Image: ASOS/ asos.com
As zebra print is a pattern which can often stand out, it’s sometimes worth drawing attention to the statement more by simply pairing with basic colours and patterns as I noticed with Drake’s zebra Supreme jacket against his black top and trousers, to give more of an emphasis.
Another option is to create a fusion between 80s and 70s fashions by pairing the print with some flares like Bershka have done here with a fluffy knit zebra jumper in red.
Image: Bershka at ASOS/ asos.com
Or to go full on 80s with these ASOS dresses for formal occasions with a velvet metallic pink with of course, the iconic shoulder pads; or puffed shoulders and daring plunges in a variety of eye catching colours.
Image: ASOS/ Asos.com
For festivals and event nights out, co-ordinate zebra patterns like these from o-Mighty- its halter neck and cycle shorts add a fun statement and a free, non-constraining feel for a good ol’ boogie.
Image: o-Mighty/ o-mighty.com
And finally, although I know it is still winter, as spring is closely nearing, the need for sunglasses will (hopefully) be increasing. And so, a pair of patterned sunglasses like these from ASOS will always be in fashion, as they are simply a subtle accessory making any outfit a little more groovy, giving just a small but quite edgy hint of personality to a style with of course, zebra print.
Image: ASOS/ Asos.com
(Featured Image: Brooke Giles/Unsplash)
'Which fashion trend of 2019 are you most excited about? We want to hear about it!'
