The Husband gave me a knowing look as I extracted this lovely frock from one of the shopping bags I’d brought home with me recently after an afternoon of “retail therapy”. It’s a little bit cottage-core, a little bit urban-jungle, and a little bit of tailored sophistication all rolled up into one easy-to-wear dress. It has long sleeves which I’ve got rolled up in these photos but the fabric is lightweight so perfect for layering as temps drop. While I’m wearing it loose in this look, there is of course the option to wear it with a belt. Another style detail I really like is the raglan shoulders which I find to be quite flattering for my figure and frame.
I do so wish that it had pockets but I suppose that’s a detail that I’m willing to overlook. As a maxi-length dress, it was quite the eye-catcher hanging on the rack in the store. That’s a relatively significant amount of leopard print compared to the solids that it was displayed near. I first saw it several weeks ago and dismissed it as not being seasonally appropriate (it was mid-summer and you remember what that was like this year). I couldn’t even think about buying anything for Fall back then.
And while I do adore animal prints (leopard especially), would it be a smart purchase or one that I would regret? After all, I’ve already acknowledged that they don’t seem to be popping up everywhere but what better reason to wear them, right? Who wants to look like everyone else? Isn’t the point of personal style and wearing what we want and not following fashion rules to set our own standards? What the heck, I finally decided to throw caution into the wind, and home it came with me. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Even though it was recent purchase, my exact dress doesn’t seem to be available online but this one and this one have a similar look. My purse was a thrift store find and my “clogs meet fisherman sandals” were brought onboard into my wardrobe this past Spring (first seen on the blog in Last Week, This Week: Somethings New, Somethings Old).
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My favorite post from last week’s link-up was Millennial Jumper – Crochet Pattern Review. One of my hobbies is crocheting and I’m always on the hunt for patterns for wearables as well as afghans. The team at Eye Love Knots creates, shares, and reviews some of the best patterns I’ve seen, like this cozy pullover sweater that Abby is modeling. I typically look for free patterns (this one is not) but I might make an exception in this case.
So, animal prints this Fall … thumbs up or thumbs down? Just like many of you, I read fashion articles and style predictions to glean tidbits on what I should or shouldn’t be wearing. Because I need to be armed with the knowledge of which cut of jeans or colors or boots or prints, etc, will be hot for the upcoming season so I don’t mistakenly wear something that’s out of date. Oh heavens, not that! Of course, I jest. After all, limiting yourself to only following trends … that’s all a bit of hogwash, isn’t it?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photo credit: MMPerez
27 Comments
Ok, let’s brighten your day😊
Will animal print dresses be popular this year? I haven’t seen it on Pinterest trends. But of course we will remember your formula – Fine, whatever😊
And one more nice thing – I finally got my bloglovin account up and running so now I’m following you there💕
XO,
Chajleen
Animal print is always in fashion. You’ve snapped up a gorgeous dress. It looks amazing on you !
OMG Rena, I LOVE it!!! Where did you buy it? I wonder if it’s available here in Portugal lol! I’m also loving the sandals too. The whole look is gorgeous. Is the dress button down? If so, it would look fab worn as a ‘duster’ too.
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Animal print is a classic pattern/print in my book and will always be in fashion! I’d have snatched that dress up too – I love the cut, and the fact that it is lightweight. I love the shoes you chose too – great look Rena!
xo,
Kellyann
I think animal print is a classic and it will always be in style! this is such a great dress on you too, I like the orange bag with it! 🙂
Thanks for the link up. Hope you are having a great day 🙂
I think animal prints will always be on trend! Your dress is fabulous! Love the entire look!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Oh I will always love a leopard print! And your shoes are fabulous! How do you keep those curls? Mine are totally gone!
What a stunning dress my friend! I can never get enough leopard. I don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. I still see a lot leopard this season. Thanks for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Leopard print is so fun to dress up and down. It is definitely a neutral.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2022/09/fall-trend-think-pink.html?m=1
Limiting ourselves to trends really is a bunch of hogwash, isn’t it? What a cool dress! I love the abundant leopard print on you and your shoes and bag are really magnificent as well! Fabulous look, my friend!
Shelbee
Leopard print always! I am quite fond of the zebra prints but love them in the non traditional tan or brown and cream. Love the dress on you and the bag adds a beautiful Fall touch. I have been buying mainly from Poshmark lately- I needed some retail therapy as well!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
What fun find! I don’t wear my leopard maxi skirt during spring and summer but I do love it in the fall and winter with a sweater and boots. It does work well with sneakers and a tee so maybe I will pull it out soon.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I had it commented to me at Buffalo Exchange, when I was selling them some clothes, that animal prints were not being accepted because they were “out”. I decided to keep my animal prints and have since observed that they are still being sold. I just bought a gorgeous poncho from Chicos in a wonderful leopard print. I love dressing to my own drum!
You can never go far wrong with a touch of animal!! Love it, Autumn’s the perfect time who cares about whether they’re in or out!!
Pamela
http://www.style-yourself-confident.com
It’s fun to dress with the trends, but even better to rock your own style without apology. I am down with this “paw”-tagecore dress! It looks terrific on you and I like your transition season styling with the fringe bag and sandals.
I am a sucker for anything animal print. Have always been drawn to it. Even before it became a trend. And it ain’t going out of my wardrobe.
A friend recently showed up in some animal print skinny jeans and I was in awe!
Animal prints are a beautiful classic. Your dress is perfect for fall!.🍁🐾🐾
Are you kidding me Rena- animal print especially leopard is always a fantastic idea! You look terrific in this dress- amazing! I love it so much. I’m crazy about animal print- I just got 2 dresses at a Macy’s sale in Florida and both are animal print. My husband said ‘another cat dress?’ LOL- I just can’t help myself.
This is a fabulous look, Rena! You look fantastic! A big thumbs up for the animal print. I love your thrift store purse. And the clogs are perfect.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Now, that is one stunning dress, Rena! Forget what anyone says, you wear that everywhere and anytime because you are all kinds of wonderful in it! I’m with you on the fashion trends. I’m finally learning how to dress my body, and if the trend doesn’t work…onto something that does! I’m also trying to limit my shopping so we’ll see how that pans out! Thanks for the link party…come visit Friday!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I love this dress on you Rena, I don’t think you can go wrong with wearing animal prints. We all love it.
Anna
Looking so very nice there. Thanks for hosting this great party.
I love this dress! Leopard print never goes out of style in my opinion. I have several leopard print dresses!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Whether it’s on trend or not, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with leopard! This dress is fabulous on you!
The dress is beautiful and you look fab in it. Your sandals are lovely.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I purchased lots of animal print pieces back in the 90s when it was all the rage. When the trend came back around 2-3 years ago, I didn’t buy any animal prints this time around. I kinda wish I had — it’s a fun trend to play around with. You look fabulous in your animal print dress!! It looks like it would fun comfortable to wear, too. I also like to have pockets in a dress. But, sometimes they end up looking a bit lumpy in the hip area. And I definitely DO NOT need any more lumpiness and thickness in my hip area! So, I think the fabric of the dress maybe lies more smoothly without pockets. Anyway – great buy on this dress!
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 35.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com