April 13, 2018

Topshop Does Animal Print: The Edit | AD

Dreams do come true…

*This post features an advertorial from Topshop

When a Topshop email dropped into my inbox last week with a visual feast of animal print items – from sandals to sundresses and everything in-between – I just knew that it had to be my topic for my next blog post collaboration with them. My love for leopard print in particular, is a well documented one and a long affair that has spanned at least the last 10 years of my life. In fact my university bedroom was an odd blend of Marilyn Monroe posters, photo collages, fairy lights and anything leopard print that I could get my hands on (even my laundry bag was adorned in it). And let me tell you, it’s more than a phase. I can’t see me ever falling out of love with it. Being a neutral lover, I don’t often venture over to pattern nor colour, but there’s something about an animal print that incorporates the two in a way that pairs perfectly with a pair of blue jeans (the Topshop Orson Jeans that I’m wearing here are my current faves) or some black cigarette pants, that still has an air of undone Parisian chic about it. So really this post was a bit of a dream to put together. So dreamy that I had to pause midway to make a purchase. Need to up your animal print back-catalogue too? Head here, or read ahead for my freshly picked edit…

If you’re new to animal print, then the easiest way to incorporate it into your wardrobe is with a shirt, especially if you’re a button-down and a denim kinda gal like I am. I am particularly fond of loungewear-style shirts and this Leopard Print Pyjama Shirt and Zebra Print Pyjama Shirt tick all the boxes depending on how wild you feel. Tuck them into your jeans and wear with boots for now, or leave them flowing and with some cropped denim and slides when the good weather kicks in. Something a little smarter is this Wrap-Style Shirt that I’m wearing in today’s post. There’s something about the functioning of a wrap top that just elevates it all for me and I like the long-line tunic feel, worn with straight leg denim and some Green Block Heel Sandals; I felt pretty smart in this ensemble. Of course incorporating the animal trend into your capsule doesn’t just need to be exclusively with shirts – HELLO DRESSES! They are saying that spring is arriving next week, so let’s think ahead. This Wrap Mini Dress is my favourite and has ‘summer holidays down the beach eating your second ice cream of the day‘ written all over it.

SHOP THE ‘TOP-HALF’ EDIT

If you’re a medium-level animal print appreciator then it might be time to take it to the next level. Skirt lovers tuck a black silk shirt into this Half Zip Leopard Print Denim Skirt and that’s your summer uniform right there, although if you’re more of a trousers girl then you know what to do with these Leopard Print Joni Jeans. If you don’t feel up to a fully dedicated spotty or stripped bottom-half just yet, then ease yourself in with some shoes. The funny thing is that a Twitter reader sent me these Hiccup Strappy Sandals the other day, because they’re just so obviously up my street. A great summer wardrobe addition right there I’d say. Or there are these Lemonade Slingback Loafers which are a great transitional shoe as we start to see more days where you don’t need a hat and scarf every time you leave the house. For me, I love a good leopard print shoe mainly because they’re the a jazzy option to have that you can crack out whenever you pull an outfit together and it just feels a little dull. Whip out some funky shoes and TA-DAH!

SHOP THE ‘BOTTOM-HALF’ EDIT

Got yourself a shirt? A skirt? Some shoes? Oh yes, there’s still more animal print if you want it and this time it’s in the form of accessories. Now I should say that at this point of putting together the post, I had to pause, purchase the Straight Leopard Ribbed Swimsuit and get back to writing. But, just look at it! The straight-cut neck, the thin spaghetti straps – it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted in a swimming costume and with a hot-weather holiday on the horizon, this NEEDS to be in my suitcase. Other hot holiday additions include the tortoiseshell Marvis Cateye Sunglasses or the Saskia Cateye Sunglasses. Although the Leopard Print Umbrella is probably more suited to our climate *insert Jim Halpert-eseque look to camera*. Something you could wear all-year round however, and is my possible next purchase that I’m hovering over to add to my basket, is the Skinny Triple Keeper Belt. Come rain or shine this will keep your denim in place and will be the perfect cherry on the top of your all leopard-print outfit because you want to wear all your new purchases. Come on – Pat Butchers of the world UNITE.