Why zebra - not leopard - is the print to try now
Think ‘animal print’ in the context of fashion, and you’ll no doubt picture leopard spots. Bold, overstated, and able to look luxurious in the right hands and cheap in the wrong, leopard dominates the fashion plain. But for autumn/winter ‘18, designers have riffed on the rump of another wild animal that’s often overlooked: the zebra.
In the fashion world, this is another beast entirely. Thanks to the naturally monochromatic colour palette, zebra stripes are bold without being brassy. While leopard print is still ubiquitous this season, zebra stripes are somewhat rarer - so you’re unlikely to match half the restaurant of an evening.
Top, £35.99, Mango; Scarf, £99, Rockins; Sandals, £49.99, New Look
Thanks to a dodgy patch in the ‘80s, many associate zebra print with ‘80s lycra clubwear and perms - but its fashion roots are far chicer. Its exoticism made it an early symbol of wealth and standing, the preserve of those who could afforded to wear the pelts of these beautiful wild animals, as they did then: thankfully, in this day and age we wear only homages, rather than real skins. In the ‘50s, risque beachgoers wore Tarzan and Jane inspired zebra swimwear; in the 60s, the stripes covered everything from evening dresses to hats. Zebra coats have won fans of tastemakers from Brigitte Bardot to Anna Wintour, editor in chief of American Vogue.
Hush dress, £110, John Lewis; Marni skirt, £880, Net-A-Porter
The key to wearing this season’s zebra prints well is all in the mix - or rather, lack thereof. Attempting to clash these stripes against any other print will lead to sensory overload. Also best avoided are bright colours and certainly neons (lest you inadvertantly reference the ‘80s). Instead, opt for black and white. If you already have zebra stripes in your wardrobe, it’s this restricted colour palette that will bring them bang up to date (and to remedy any faded patches of colour, try a black fabric dye pen).
For those who already stick to this palette most of the time, zebra will provide an impactful print hit that’s still in your comfort zone. Mango’s blouse layered under a sharp black trouser suit will liven up workwear - lose the jacket and pair just with black trousers for evening or weekend. Hush’s mid-calf dress is a good autumnal alternative to summer’s floral midis, and Marni’s stunning skirt, paired with a fine knit black jumper or white oxford shirt, will work equally well day or night. If you’re only looking to dip a toe in the waters, you couldn’t do better than Manolo Blahnik’s mules (budget allowing) or Rockins’ fringed scarf with a classic black coat.
Bangles, from £300 each, Saint Laurent; bag, £239, Radley; Manolo Blahnik mules, £895, Harvey Nichols
Of course, any print says something of its wearer. Though not the predatory big cat sensuality of leopard spots (see Anne Bancroft in The Graduate, Jayne Mansfield and Bettie Page) zebra stripes still say ‘wild’ - so wear with caution.
TRACKING THE TREND
Film Noir
Unlike other prints, Zebra loses none of its impact in black and white, as proven by this 1945 image of Film Noir leading lady Lauren Bacall.
Golden Age
Audrey Hepburn’s fashion legacy has proven to be just as lasting as her turns on screen. Monochrome was a particular signature of Hepburn’s - here, zebra adds a playful twist.
Of the moment
Givenchy, the brand that the Duchess of Sussex chose to design her wedding dress and many outfits since, was also the brand that Hepburn wore over all others. For AW18, new creative director Clare Waight Keller softened zebra stripes in the form of a fluffy knit.
