I am a big fan of animal prints, and they continue to be a hot fashion trend.  Animal prints spend so much time on the “hot item” list season after season, they actually deserve “timeless classic” status.  I own leopard print pumps that I’ve had for at least 5 years, and they are just as trendy today as the day I bought them.  The same goes for my 10 year old zebra clutch. 

The key to wearing animal prints when you are petite is to wear one animal print piece at a time.  A cheetah print twinset with matching shoes and handbag results in “overkill.” (pardon the pun)   A cheetah print twinset worn with a pair of black wool gab pants and black accessories  makes a flattering choice for all petite women.  The animal pattern worn on the top half of the petite figure draws attention upward for added height.  However, the petite woman with fuller hips or thighs should avoid wearing animal print bottoms.  A giraffe handbag could be the perfect accessory for a brown dress or suit but when paired with a giraffe print skirt, you have one too many animals in the zoo. 

 I am all for a walk on the “wild side” to update your fall wardrobe, but urge petite women to coordinate outfits around one fabulous animal print piece in order to avoid fashion “faux paws.”