Mumsnet Talk

My blonde friend mentioned a while ago that she couldn't wear animal print because she was blonde and it would be 'too much' a nod too far towards bet lynch, but that it would suit me. I thought, mmm, know what you mean, mgiht be a bit cliched on a blonde.

Then lisa armstrong (times magazine) wrote that animal prints are gorgeous unless you ahve brown hair, then they're too frumpy.

and then i felt

Any comments on this extremely important issue?

I'm ginger and I wear leopardprint a lot.

I'm not sure if this helps.

OOh another angle! not sure that helps no.

well i love me some animal print and i have brow hair. in my youth i had pillarbox red hair, and that really set it off.

i think fashion 'rules' are all a bit shit myself. except the one about legs or cleavage.

Some people can wear it and look trendy and cute. I wear it and look like an unemployed prostitute. It just doesn't work on me.

i have browN hair, not brow hair like a neanderthal.

leopardprint should be worn with confidence I think- if you're worried about it going with your hair, you may have missed the point?

Not you personally, one.

lol Alouiseg, this is what I'm afraid of!

Sometimes when I'm ina good mood and getting ready I look in the mirror and think, you fox, ok, well, you plumpish, short fox, but then at the end of the night i look like an out of work prossie whose been living outdoors in the foxes' den.

It's a fine line between hideous and quirky.

lol at brow hair.

It is a hard one to do. Best to avoid if hair is over-dyed perhaps.

I'm ginger and can't resist a leopard print coat or shoes. Sadly for me, given all the other things I can't resist (red lippie, high heels, etc) there's a very fine line between Classic Hollywood Bombshell, and Elsie Tanner, The Street Corner Years.

All things in moderation...

I love animal print and think it is very important to get in touch with one's inner barmaid.

I am a blonde, and would not be bothered in the slightest by Bet Lynch comparisons.

But if you are nervous then accessories eg ballet pumps are the way to start.

Had a week drinky earlier. I'm leopard skin on the inside

Just wondering if I can carry it off without Lisa Armstrong's disapproval.

Oh that was somebody else's mistake. Too quick to take the blame!

I love leopard print.

Am blonde (chemically enhanced) and wear it - have just bought a dress thats a sort of grey leopard print.

Love it on shoes/bags/scarfs too.

And knickers

and knickers!! well holy god.

I need 2 mirrors. The bedroom mirror that I look in whilst holding my tummy in, pushing my shoulders back and tucking my bum under.

The shop window that I walk past 2 hours later that reflects someone resembling me who's a bit fatter with dreadful posture and the beginnings of jowls.

I just need them both in my room before I leave the house.

I have honestly never seen anyone over the age of 21 and bigger than a size 8 look good in animal print. Blonde or brunette.

I love animal print.

On everything, just not worn all at the same time

Shoes and scarves are a weakness of mine.

I'm a brunette and think I look fabulous in animal print

Yes Ele, because once we're past 21 we should just jolly well cover ourselves up and forget fashion

Seriously - perhaps not the full on bet lynch but there are some really lovely animal print items around this AW.

lovely on a brunette and I really don't think you'd need to be under 21 to wear that.

I know a certain fishy poster who has a penchant for animal print. She is brunet and looks fabulous in it.

You are spot on Tracey. We should be walking around in black with our heads bowed at our advanced age

Oh lord. So old i can't spell brunette!!

i am very conservative so only go for small touches like scarf or belt

No, not at all. I'm not saying we should all just give up and sign up for a Per Una loyalty card.

I just think animal print on grown women looks Bet Lynch on 99 per cent of the people I see wearing it. Harsh but true.

Kristina - little touches not so much. It's more whole garments in leopard print. It just looks shit, no matter how much the fash mags gush that it is so 'this season'.