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Full confession…I am a little intimidated by animal print. I am attracted to it, and I especially love the colours in the leopard and tiger prints. But- there is no denying that animal print often features in cheap, skanky outifts. I know this. I have worn cheap, skanky animal print in the past. And it is often stereotypically worn by hungry, cougar women on the prowl for young delectable men. I know this. I have worn it and prowled for young, delectable men in the past. Ha- just kidding! Still, while I am not above wearing skanky outfits from time to time when the occasion calls for it, I am now more interested in finding ways to wear animal print where I don’t look like an extra from Pretty Woman.

This week, I challenged myself to create something tasteful with an awesome leopard print single brushed polyester from Lush Fabrics. Single brushed polyester is a drapey, stretchy knit fabric, and in my opinion, making something classy out of stretchy drapey animal print fabric is more challenging than using a more structured, textured woven. For instance, this is made from a stretchy knit animal print fabric.

So, I wanted to make something quite different. My first plan was to sew up a kimono cardigan, but…

Sorry. I know you cannot unsee that. And kimonos are INCREDIBLE, I love them. But for me personally, I need to be very careful with my print and fabric choice to not feel like Buffalo Bill.

Next, I wanted to do a maxi skirt. But I have a fairly small physique, and when I held the fabric up against me, I just felt the print was overwhelming me.

SO, I decided to do a dress- not too short, not too tight, and not too revealing. And I love it!

If I keep everything else clean- hair up, structured coat, sheer tights and neat heels- I think this flamboyant print looks very elegant.

As you know by now, I love styling outfits differently, and I thought it would be fun to show that with different accessories and a change of hairstyle, you can get such a different look with the exact same dress. When I was younger, I would have loved wearing this punk outfit.

I also made a pencil skirt because, well, 50s bombshell aesthetic, need I say more?

Other Ideas for Wild Side fabric:

• an animal print slip skirt is very ‘now’ and an elegant alternative to the pencil skirt
• a shorter swing skirt paired with T-shirt and sneakers is a great casual idea
• for those with the personality to carry it off, a flowing jumpsuit or maxi dress would be stunning
• a loose dolman top with jeans or a black maxi skirt
• a simple cami worn with jeans and ballet flats or black tapered pants and a blazer.
• an infinity scarf in animal print knit is a great way to spice up an outfit

There are so many things to try in animal print!

And to be honest, I adore Shania Twain’s outfit from this music video.  It definitely impressed me much.

What would you like to make with an animal print knit fabric?

Wild Side single brushed polyester is available from Lush Fabrics.