Tis the season for animal prints. Not that they ever really went away, but this winter season you will find animal prints everywhere, from the catwalks to the high street. Let’s take a look at the different prints on offer, plus a few festive fashion favourites.

Leopard print

When we think of animal prints, more often than not leopard print is what comes to mind. High street shops are full of clothes and accessories displaying prints that seem to represent the entire animal kingdom, including leopard, zebra and cheetah patterns. They also tend to come in numerous different colours and shades, which helps to make it an accessible style for all – whether you like bright prints, or opt for more subtle shades. Nobody wants to look like Coronation Street’s Bette Lynch, so sometimes less is more.

Zara currently have a non-traditional type blazer in a lovely leopard print for under £50 (above), which can easily be worn with smart trousers, a skirt or even over a plain dress. Jumpsuits, which are still very popular, also come in an assortment of animal prints and colours.

If you want to add just a touch of animal print to your wardrobe, opt for accessories – think handbags, sunglasses, shoes and even trainers.

Snake print

Another popular and extremely flattering style is snake print, which is perhaps slightly more subtle than many of the other options. If you imagine a snake’s skin, it has long lines running down the body, and this makes for a great illusion of slimness when transferred to a pattern on clothes. Black, white and grey make for a softer look and are easy to accessorise.

Pleats

We often think pleats tend to make us look larger and in the past they occasionally did, but the styles today can be very flattering for most figures. Some knife like pleats are very subtle and can be barely seen as they are cut so well. Stripes and horizontal pleats can also look very stylish, and many pleated clothes come in fabrics that don’t crease, so ironing is not a problem. Lots of pleated clothes come in metallic fabrics which would look lovely over the holidays with a seasonal jumper or blouse.

Tracksuits

Now we’re not talking exercise or lounging around – these tracksuits are for hitting the town! High street Gucci knock-offs are very popular styles, and many of them come in rich vibrant shades – the velour tracksuits look like authentic Gucci. Lots of these have wide leg pants, often with a thick stripe running down the leg, making them stylish and, of course, they are very comfortable.

Pleather skirts

Since Meghan Markle wore her pencil style leather skirt, the high street has jumped on this look. Most items are made in ‘pleather’ (artificial leather) which, frankly, is much easier and more pliable to wear, and it’s hard to tell the difference from the real thing. Lots of pleather skirts come in vibrant and unusual shades, which make them look very modern. Primark has a selection of pencil skirts in great colours for around £13, and Dorothy Perkins also has a good selection at reasonable prices. This is a nice addition to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Sparkle

A little glitz and glam makes us all feel in the holiday mood and ready for all those parties and get togethers. Whether you add sparkle to your clothes, accessories or make-up, have a little fun and enjoy the festive season!