Style Advice Plus

Marks and Spencer

It may still be cold out there, but in the world of fashion, Spring is on it’s way already, and as always, with the new season, comes new fashion trends. One of the trends featured heavily in the Spring/Summer 09 Collections on the catwalk, and tiped by vogue as one of this years hottest trends is Tribal, modern African inspired pieces, includinganimal print, and chunky jewllery.

A fashion trend that so heavily features animal print may not sound ideal to many plus size women. When you mention animal print to many people, they instantly conjure up images of tacky soap stars in leopard print fur coats, or tight lycra dresses, but if you get it right, you can look stunning and stylish in animal print, no matter what your dress size.

If you’re a little reluctant to wear animal print, but like the Tribal trend, small touches of animal print, like a chunky bangle, will really complete your tribal look. A pair of animal print shoes,worn with a plainer outfit will also look great, and keep you on trend. As will and animal print belt, which is also fantastic for defining your waist, and making the most of your curves.

If you do decide to be a little more daring, as with any clothes, the style, cut, print and colours you choose when buying animal print will have a great impact on your over all look. Consider your body shape, and the types of clothes you usually look and feel best in.

If you are a top heavy lady, it is best to avoid tops with brighter or larger animal prints, as these will emphasis your larger top half. Instead wear darker shades, or smaller animal prints. Tops with an animal print trim, either runing down the centre of a top, or around the bottom or sleeves will also look fantastic, and really flatter your shape.

Evan size 14 to size 32

If you’re a bottom heavy lady the brighter, larger animal prints are ideal for you. Teamed with plain bottom, everyone will instantly be admiring you fashionable animal print top, and all attention will be detracted from your heavier bottom half.

No matter what shape you are it is also important to ensure your animal print top is well fitting. A shaped or fitted waist is best to ensure an elegant, feminie look that will show off your curves, not hide them. It may also be best to try a couple of sizes, as getting the right fit is very important in achieving a stylish look. Too tight and the style and shape of the top is lost, too big and your shape is hidden, and you will look bigger than you are. Get the right fit and you’ll look fantastic.

Plus size women can look good in animal print, or any other pattern, you just have to select clothes that will best flatter your shape and fit you well. With the stylish and elegant look you will creat, you’ll look much more African Queen, than tacky soap star.

Animal print pieces are starting to appear in the high street stores alredy, and there will be many more as Spring gets nearer. Here are a few of my favorites.

Dorothy Perkins sizes 3 to 8

Fiorelli bronze animal clutch

M&S giraffe print top

Yours size 16 to size 32