The Cher Zebra Coat by Couture by Sophie
“Who’s that?” wondered Sophie, ears standing erect and nostrils flaring. She wasn’t staring at a another dog coming around the corner or a squirrel in the park. Sophie was wondering who that fine-looking (if not straggly) pup was in the mirror, wearing a zebra print dog coat! 🙂 And Sophie isn’t the only one rocking exotics this season. Animal prints, especially black and whites and leopards of all colors, are one of the hottest trends. If you’re like me and want to have fun with the latest trends for your dog (or cat…some of our feline friends do wear clothes and accessories), then join me in discovering some great animal print clothing and accessories available and why we love them so. Let’s go!
The History of Animal Prints
We know the cavemen wore the skins of the animals they killed for food to keep them warm and protect their bodies from the elements. That’s how it started. And our love affair with animal prints has endured. Some say this affinity is actually embedded in our DNA from those times! I have to give props to Shauna’s Vintage Closet (www.shaunasvintagecloset.com), where I found some great historical tidbits about the history of animal prints. Noblemen treasured them. They were exotic and imbued status upon the wearer. Some, like from Africa, were very difficult to find and only the rich and powerful could acquire them. But it took the pomp and circumstance of Hollywood to bring animal prints into modern times, of course! Apparently, in 1925 during the height of the excess and adventure of the Roaring Twenties, American film star Marian Nixon paraded down Hollywood Boulevard walking her pet leopard, and wearing a matching leopard coat. Now, even for those crazy 20’s, that was something to see! It caused quite the sensation.
During the 1940’s it was worn by ladies in support of the women’s movement. Animal prints are empowering! Sex symbol Bettie Page loved to wear cheetah prints and Christian Dior introduced a leopard print fabric for dresses. But in the 50’s during a trip to Japan on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe wore a leopard print scarf and the masses responded. The leopard print became mainstream. After that, it was appropriated. By everyone. In the 60’s the hippies utilized it; in the 70’s it was the punks. Today, it is a trend that doesn’t quit and this fall,
Leopard Print Dog Dress
it’s bigger than ever.
Making Animal Prints Work for your Dog
There’s so much to choose from, it’s like being a kid in a candy store. A darling little black and white (also a big color combo this fall) leopard dress like the one to the left, or a striking and sexy fleece jacket, like this golden brown leopard/boa combination.
Leopard Boa Floozie Jacket
Gorgeous Zebra Dog Bed
In Summary
Having one piece of animal print this fall/winter season in your dog’s wardrobe will add a fun, exciting and fresh look. However, it can be such fun, we may tend to over do it. Don’t. Too much of a good thing isn’t good anymore and screams overkill. And please, if you’re going for an animal print fur coat, go faux. There are beautiful faux fur fabrics out there. If you want suggestions of where to buy fabric to make your own, email us at Ask Jody and Sophie and we’ll be happy to give you more great resources. Enjoy your safari hunt for fabulous exotics!
Until next time…
