This frock needs to go back to the zoo:
Too much going on. Prints zigging and zagging all over the body, bad cut, too much flounce, the woman’s shape and face are totally lost. The Mutual of Omaha will not be proud to present this Wild Kingdom. Way too much going on.
If you want to do animal prints, this is more the idea:
Yes, she’s a movie star and the outfit is nuts, but the animal print is small and tasteful – used as an accent, not as the entire show.
I think this skirt is neat and the outfit’s not bad, but here’s another case where you have to be careful: the print is SO bold that it’s best to keep the top simple. Sorry I can’t get a larger photo of this, but if you get out your bifocals you’ll see that the model is wearing a frilly top. I think there’s too much going on. A black or white fitted shell and cardigan would have worked so much better, and will on you. The frill on her top paired with the bold geometric pattern of the skirt doesn’t really work. It’s a wonderful thing to work with contrasting textures, styles and genres (cowboy boots with a flowing summer dress, diaphanous top with jeans and men’s leather belt, etc.), but this stylist didn’t achieve fashion, just (say it with me) “too much going on.”
If the mere notion of trying to mix styles gives you a migraine, by all means keep it classic. I mean, there’s not a thing wrong with the classic pencil skirt and tailored top, is there? That’s a lot of leg for a pastor to display, but better that (with sheer hose) than that sartorial version of a Serengeti stampede we first saw.
Any thoughts as to the extremely low v-necks on dresses and tops where a tank shirt or camisole doesn’t always work? How can we get manufacturers to bring up the necklines? Not all of us, clergy and professionals want to look like…well…sluts!
[I have two lovely deeply V-necked shells that I love to wear under blazers with a scarf tucked in and then belted at the waist. Added bonus, I can wear them out on dates and have beautiful cleavage! I don’t think there’s a thing we can do about the manufacturers. Just buy blouses with more modest necklines when you find them. I like some Old Navy T-shirts that are cut nice and high on the neckline but fit well around the bod — there’s nothing worse than a big, boxy shirt that swallows your entire figure up! – PB]
So, are animal prints “in” this year? I saw a vest with a leopard trim that I thought was great, but I am trying to be at least somewhat in style. Should I buy it …?
PB,
You didn’t talk about the other reason that first outfit needs to find some place to be buried. Not only does that thing not show off the model’s shape, it makes her look bigger than she is. At most she is a size 12/14, but that print doesn’t make her look like she is the normal American woman.