Both adored and avoided, animal print can be a controversial wardrobe topic. Whilst many will shy away from the vibrant prints, or bold statement, others bask in its beauty.

I haven’t always loved animal print. Everyone has to start somewhere and there was a time when I too would shy away from adding any prints into my outfit. There is often this idea that if you go for animal print with your outfit, it’s going to be incredibly overpowering, and shadow the rest of the outfit. I think some people have seen animal print also done wrong, and that image haunts them when looking at how versatile the print can actually be in a wardrobe.

Animal print will always be in style, and it comes back year after year, guaranteeing a timeless, classic piece if you look to add into your wardrobe. With animal print speaking for itself, you can utilise this print to add a subtle statement and finishing touch to a more simple outfit. With increased confidence, you’ll find yourself mixing and matching in no time at all!

When starting out with animal print, it can often be tricky to know where to begin. Once you get to know the prints, it can be one of the most simple and easy ways to add some personality to your outfit. Whilst at the start, it can often feel daunting, and easy to get wrong.

I’ve curated some of my top tips to get you started, followed by some of my must have items to get your wardrobe set up!

🌿 Top Tips for Styling Animal Print 🌿

🐆 Don’t over do it, you don’t need an outfit full of prints. Try to just pick a statement piece.
🐄 Do tone it down. You can use simple pieces or block colours to tone down the rest of your outfit.
🐆 Don’t clash prints. Try to stick to just one single animal print within your outfit.
🐄 Do experiment with what you like. Try different prints and colours to find your favourite.
🐆 Don’t try to match everything. Stick to matching no more than 3 accessories in a print. I would recommend 2.
🐄 Do subtly match accessories. Match a belt and bag, shoes and belt, or bag and shoes.
🐆 Don’t let your selection overpower the whole outfit. Pick out colours from the print to bring your outfit together.
🐄 Do feel confident. Animal print is a subtle statement. Own your choice – you look amazing!
🐆 Don’t feel intimidated if you’re just starting out! There are lots of prints out there and lots of different styles. There is something for everyone, and every style. Starting is where the fun begins …

You know some of my top tips, now lets have a look at some of my favourite pieces to get you started with!

🌿 Must Have Animal Print Items 🌿

Animal print is such a fun way to add some personality into your outfits. Whether you’re well established wearing prints, or you’re just starting out, I have the perfect items to add into your wardrobe. These products are all tried and tested by myself, they are things I have had in my wardrobe in some cases, years, and love to style. They are pieces I know are really good quality, and that I can genuinely recommend from using and wearing countless times myself!

Accessories and footwear are definitely the easiest place to begin with animal print. Both subtle and easy to style, you can build your accessories to create more of a statement, or keep it simple with a single talking point of one accessory. Stick to my top tips above when choosing your accessories for a flawless look.

My best advice is to have fun with it!

🐄 Cow Print … 🐄

This is such an easy print to style, and a really great place to start! Cow print can be much more understated than some of the others, and it will always fit seamlessly into any country wardrobe. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, this is it!
Considered to have a slightly Western undertone – this print has never gone out of fashion, being a popular choice for many, year in year out.

Considered relatively effortless to style, it makes sense that this print works its way into the Country wardrobe with ease. Styling cow print is often easier because whilst it is bold and attention grabbing, it is made up of neutrals, meaning it will often compliment all other colours your outfit may be made up of. When you want to add a little something extra to your outfit, without adding bright, block colour accessories, this is a great alternative.

COW PRINT FOOTWEAR
Welligogs Safari Cowhide Slides

An easy way to add some animal print to your Summer outfits is through your footwear. Slides are so popular right now, and considered a wardrobe essential for many. Whether you’re off on holiday, popping out for the day, or slipping them on for some time in the garden, they are an easy addition to add into any wardrobe.

Styling for print footwear is simple. Neutral colours will compliment brown print, and monochrome outfits will compliment black print. If you opt for a simple outfit or dress, you can let your shoes speak for themselves. These are a great addition if you’ve got a staycation coming up, or even when we can travel a little further afield, they will make a perfect capsule wardrobe item. When packing for holiday, team with a linen shirt and shorts for a casual day look, and why not try with a maxi dress for the evening!

The Safari slides from Welligogs perfectly capture the need for an essential footwear, whilst adding the luxury of a pony hair upper. Designed with comfort in mind, the 5cm sole is created from natural cork, with a rubber sole, for durability as well as comfort. These are available in UK sizes 4-7, and also available in 3 other animal prints if you have a different preference!

CCL Style Tip: Team with some relaxed fit shorts and a linen shirt for the perfect safari outfit style.
Perfect for: Someone wanting an easy go to, whilst introducing animal print into their wardrobe.

Shop the look …

COW PRINT JEWELLERY
Country Allure Teardrop Dangle Earrings

Opting for cow print jewellery may not be the most obvious choice, but it’s a good one! If you’re wanting to add a special piece to your accessories collection, or something a little more unique, cow print earrings can be a fantastic idea!

Probably more easy to style than you think, cow print jewellery can add a little something extra to either your every day outfits, or your going out looks! Team with a dress and boots for a casual evening style, dress up with your favourite LBD and heels for the perfect evening meal, or dress down with jeans or tassel tops for great everyday wear!

These earrings from Country Allure immediately caught my eye, and I have loved styling them as part of my wardrobe. They are handmade in Australia using genuine cowhide. I love the teardrop shape, the are lightweight and such amazing quality. Country Allure is one of the most incredible brands to take a look at if you are looking into starting or expanding a cowhide accessories collection – you will want EVERYTHING! These earrings are available in multiple colours too!

CCL Style Tip: Pair with a LBD and some boots or heels for a perfect, subtle, evening style.
Perfect for: Someone who loves to dress up for an evening out, but still wants to keep it country!

Shop the look …

COW PRINT HANDBAGS
Bethany Rae Upton Handbag

An animal print handbag is such an easy way to add a statement piece to your outfit, without having to worry too much about the impact of adding directing into your outfit.

Cow print isn’t an overly intimidating print, which works incredibly well with larger items such as a handbag. Whether you want to use as a work handbag, your every day go to, or a weekend style handbag, a cow print bag is such a beautiful, bold style, which will be well accepted into any wardrobe. With many colours and individual, unique prints available, this print can really be tweaked to exactly what you like. Really busy prints create a statement, whilst much larger patches are a more subtle take.

The Upton Handbag by Bethany Rae is some of the most striking cow print pieces you could find. This large tote features inside pockets, with a spacious main compartment, meaning this makes a perfect every day bag. The full zip closure ensures you can carry everything round securely. The luxurious cowhide exterior is timeless, and with every bag an individual, you are sure to have a one of a time piece which will last you for many years to come!

CCL Style Tip: Team with a matching belt to create a show stopping outfit.
Perfect for: Someone wanting to make a real statement with a timeless classic!

Shop the look …

COW PRINT BELTS
Bethany Rae Blandford Belt

Opting for a cow print belt is a super subtle way to introduce this print into your wardrobe. Cow print is unique but subtle and stylish, and adds a real Country feel to any outfit. Found classically in either a black or brown print, both are easily paired with all colours and styles of outfit, whether you want to opt for simple neutrals or a bold colour.

Team cowhide with an outfit with tassels for that classic country western style, or dress down with your favourite pair of jeans for a casual style. This print can be used to be as bold or as subtle as you like, depending on the style and tone of the rest of your outfit.

The Blandford Belt is designed to stand out from the crowd. A beautiful, high quality belt, which is wide enough to fill your belt loops, creating a real talking point. There are various colour options available, and every print will be unique! The Blandford are also unisex, so if your’e looking for a gift for a partner or friend, why not give this a try!

CCL Style Tip: Match with a statement bag in the same print for the ultimate Country style.
Perfect for: Gifting! Why not treat a friend, family or loved one to this.

Shop the look …

🐆 Leopard Print … 🐆

This is probably the most controversial of prints, and in my opinion, the easiest to get wrong! Whilst leopard print is actually hugely popular, it is quite ‘marmite’ and many would avoid it where possible. Whilst I agree that this can be a risky print, it can also be incredibly rewarding when you get it right. Colour and style of the print varies drastically, so look for a style that you like. I like the richer colours and smaller spots.

Leopard print can be treated as a neutral, and when used carefully, it has the ability to totally transform your outfit. Pairing beautifully with tan accessories, you can pull on classic footwear and handbags to tone down your statement leopard print piece.

Probably the most eye-catching of the animal prints, you can make a beautiful statement with leopard print accessories added to your outfit. Use conservatively to create a pop to your outfit!

LEOPARD PRINT BELTS
Hicks & Hides Leopard Safari Belt

Leopard print sometimes has a reputation for being a little bold and out there. Many would think you have to ooze confidence to pull off this popular statement print in style. This is simply a myth! Leopard print is one of the easiest prints to style, one of the most accessible in terms of styles and designs available, and one of the most fun to play with. As always with prints, if you’re looking for a starting point, why not start with a simple belt to start to add leopard into your wardrobe.

Pairing incredibly well with tan, you can easily team leopard print items with neutral outfits to create a little bit of bold amongst a toned down outfit. Use tan to compliment through your footwear and accessories to create a subtle style. Leopard is great fun alongside your favourite Summer dresses, but this classic print will work all year round.

Hicks and Hides have created a really beautiful Leopard print. The deep colouring remains ultra classy, whilst the intricate detailing of the print keeps this looking really smart, whatever you pair with. The safari belt is 2.5cm width, creating enough of a statement through belt loops, whilst still looking fine and neat, even when paired round the wait with a dress. Available in X-Small to XX-Large for the perfect fit, and also available in another animal print!

CCL Style Tip: Team with the other items from the H&H Safari Collection to create a subtle statement!
Perfect for: Someone looking to experiment with leopard print, without wanting something too overpowering!

Shop the look …

LEOPARD PRINT PURSES
Hicks & Hides Leopard Zip Around Purse

A purse can be as much of as little of a statement as you like. Whether you love leopard print and want all of your accessories to match, or whether you want a little piece of leopard to carry round in your bag, without impacting your outfit, a purse is suitable for everyone.

Incredibly practical, you rarely go out without your purse tucked in your handbag, however, there’s nothing stopping you simply taking your purse – no bag! Heading to the local pub after work, why not ditch the bag and just take your purse with you, showing off a small flash of animal print.

Leopard print can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, but if you love the print, a small purse is a fantastic way to enjoy the print, without creating too much of a distraction!

The colouring of the Hicks & Hides leopard is ‘spot’ on! It’s the perfect shade to team with tan outfits, but it is vibrant and classy. The small spots are elegant and the purse had a very classy look to it. The print features on the front and back of this purse, and whilst this makes an amazingly eye-catching every day purse, I have also taken this purse out alone to really give it the spotlight when wanting to travel light. It features 8 card slots, 4 inside pockets and an interior zip, making plenty of space for everything you need! You can also have these personalised!!

CCL Style Tip: Team with the matching leopard print belt and a neutral outfit for a subtle statement.
Perfect for: Someone completely hooked on leopard print, or not sure where to start with their outfit!

Shop the look …

🦓 Zebra Print … 🦓

Wanting to try something a little different? Why not give zebra a go!

I think that Zebra print can be one of the easiest prints to style, despite it maybe not being one of the most well known, or commonly seen. If you love your monochrome outfits, this print will just fall into your wardrobe, and you’ll wonder what you ever did without it. The classic black and white stripe will compliment neutral outfits with ease, and little planning.

Having experimented with zebra print at length, I have found this pairs with most the the colours commonly seen running through my wardrobe, which may be anything from neutrals to pinks to bright orange!

ZEBRA PRINT FOOTWEAR
Fairfax & Favor Henley Driving Shoe

Zebra print footwear can really compliment any outfit, but if you love your monochrome style, if you haven’t tried zebra print yet, you’re missing a trick. This is a really easy way to tie the monochrome aspects of an outfit together, whether that be a pretty dress, shorts and a top, your favourite jeans or a skirt!

There isn’t a colour that I have tried so far that doesn’t compliment these zebra loafers, from subtle monocrome, to baby prink, to bright orange – I’ve been trying it all and I can safely say, these are becoming one of my most worn summer pieces. This is my first pair of zebra print shoes, and I never expected them to match such a wide variety of colours and outfits.

The Henley Driving Shoes are SO comfortable. These are like slippers, featuring a full rubber sole, and comfort insole, if you’re looking for an everyday loafer to slip on – these are your shoe! The gold detailing sets off beautifully against the black and white stripes, creating a really stunning shoe that will certainly get people talking!

CCL Style Tip: Team with a black dress for a fun twist on a classic look.
Perfect for: The comfort seeker wanting a pair of shoes to team with everything!

Shop the look …

ZEBRA PRINT BELTS
Fairfax & Favor Sennowe Belt

As with the other prints, a belt is a great introduction into zebra print. Whether you’re wanting to team with matching accessories to create a statement, or wear alone, a belt is easy to style, and east to add in. If you’re looking for a piece that will get a lot of wear, a belt is a great option to go for, you can pop this on with a multitude of different outfits.

I buy a lot of my belts taking into consideration being able to wear them as a waist belt as well. A zebra pop not only looks great paired with jeans or shorts, but it looks amazing round the waist with your favourite dress. Teaming with a black or white dress will really compliment a black and white print for a seamless look, or team with a block colour to break up the outfit with a simple but effective design.

The Sennowe Haircalf Belt from Fairfax & Favor features the classic iconic detailing you would expect from this luxury brand, with the beautiful shield buckle and stud logo. The suede Sennowe belts are usually a 2cm depth, but the haircalf belts have been made in 2.5cm – sitting slightly wider in your belt looks for that increased impact! This belt has been designed with the practicality of wearing round the waist in mind too – so check the size guide for the perfect fit. There are also other haircalf designs available.

CCL Style Tip: Slightly size down in your animal print belts so that you can wear as a waist belt too.
Perfect for: Adding something a little extra to bright block colour or monochrome outfits.

Shop the look …

ZEBRA PRINT FOOTWEAR
Fairfax & Favor Saint Tropez Embroidered Espadrille

Wanting to add a very small amount of animal into your wardrobe?
I suppose I have cheated a little by adding this one into the collection, BUT I couldn’t resist. This is entry level for adding animal into your wardrobe – and everyone has to start somewhere right?!

Espadrilles are a real summer favourite. With another heatwave due, it’s the perfect opportunity to jump back on this Summer essential, and team with your favourite outfits for a real holiday vibe (even if its just from the comfort of your own home!).

A new addition to the Fairfax & Favor family this year, The Saint Tropez Embroidered Espadrille incorporates all of the classic features of an espadrille, but with that special F&F twist. The platform jute covered sole has a non-slip rubber base, and comfort insole. These look incredible paired with everything from summer dresses to shorts to jeans. Whether you want something subtly pointing towards animal for at the pub, or want to team with your favourite dress for brunch – these espadrilles have you covered!

CCL Style Tip: Team with a Summer dress for a go to pub garden look.
Perfect for: Someone wanting to tip a toe into introducing animal into their wardrobe!

Shop the look …

⏰🎉 It’s Giveaway Time! 🎉⏰

I am so excited to be able to announce that in line with the launch of this blog, I have teamed up with Fairfax & Favor to offer one lucky CCL follower the chance to win one of my favourite items from the blog … The Zebra Haircalf Sennowe Belt!

Please head over to the Country Classic Lucinda Instagram page (find it here!) to enter!

Good Luck 🦓🤍

(T&C’s can be found at the bottom of this page!)

I really hope you have loved this blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed pulling together some of the pieces from my wardrobe to show you how to style animal print within your own wardrobes. Animal print can be a really subtle addition, as well as a bold statement. With so many prints available, and style of accessories to go for, there really is something for everyone!

Don’t forget, if you loved this blog, you can check out my other recent blogs below, or subscribe to get my posts straight to your inbox.

See you next time 🤍

Lots of love, Lucinda xo

“As far as I’m concerned, leopard is a neutral”
– Jenna Lyons

Competition T&C’s
(Please read before entering):

This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram
There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
The entrants must have a valid and active Instagram account, and must enter via Instagram.
The entry requirements should be followed in full for a chance to win.
The giveaway will end on Sunday 29th August at 23.59pm GMT+1. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
The winner will be chosen at random using a random entry generator.
If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 2 days we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prize is not transferable. We reserve the right to substitute the prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
‘Country classic lucinda’ and ‘Fairfax & Favor’ reserve the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice, in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control.
Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible.
‘Country classic lucinda’ and ‘Fairfax & Favor’ decisions in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. The public vote to select the winner will be final.
By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Your details will be used in relation to the administration of this Competition and the delivery of the Prize.
‘Country classic lucinda’ and ‘Fairfax & Favor’ are not be liable for any losses and/or damages of whatever nature and howsoever arising from this Competition and/or the Prize, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws.
‘Country classic lucinda’ and ‘Fairfax & Favor; reserve the right to cancel the competition if circumstances arise outside of its control.
This competition is being run with Fairfax & Favor Ltd– REGISTERED ADDRESS: Narford Hall, Narford, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, PE32 1JA