Look: Zebra print with a touch of ethnic.

Animal print adds a little bit of excitement to any wardrobe. Mine especially needs more of it since I almost always admire it on others when I see it. Numerous times, I've purposely gone window shopping for articles of animal print that I can wholeheartedly commit to but the only items I can boast of presently are a pair of leopard print pumps, leopard print silk top, zebra print trapeze top and this zebra print jumpsuit that just "jumped" at me in Zara last summer (seem to be partial to leopards and zebras)!  I got it on sale for about 70% less than the original price. A totally steal! I have a couple of shopping rules but the one that applied during the decision period of this particular purchase was simply this: "if you really like it but it happens to be out of your budget, make it". When it first showed up in the store, it was definitely out of my reach, so I had resolved to making this garment as soon as I could find the time to go scouting for the right fabric. Imagine my pleasure when the price was cut to next to nothing by the end of the season. I've worn it once with a bright pink cardigan, gold jewelry and a thin black belt. Links to other bloggers who rocked it are here and here. I gave it a touch of ethnic with some coloured bead jewelry.

Zara zebra print jumpsuit.

 Tube rope multi-coloured bead necklace from Newlook, matched with Masai bangles/bracelets.

It may be possible to still find this jumpsuit on Ebay or on other resale websites. I haven't found it in the same print anywhere, but you can get it in a ditsy floral print here.

Accessories List

Tube rope multi-colour bead necklace (Get it from Newlook)

Masai bracelets (Gift from Nairobi Masai market)

Burnished silver chunky bangle (Chinese art store off Broad Street, Birmingham)

Black heels (Zara)

The Look: Annie Hall

The Woody Allan romantic comedy movie, Annie Hall has provided great entertainment as well as style inspiration for decades. The central character's (Annie Hall played by Diane Keaton) style is unusually androgynous and quite "out there" not only for 1977, but also for present day. I remember watching the movie for the second time last year, and being thoroughly amused by the quick wit in the dialogue, the quirky characters, the funny plot, and most especially, being wowed by the costume. I remember that I kept saying, "I have that", "I want that", and "I would totally wear that" a few times out loud, much to the chagrin of my company!

I have recreated this look a couple of times in different ways. My favourites are with Wide-legged denim, khaki, linen, nautical shorts, and the cotton seersucker trousers in this post. Flats, low-heeled or high-heeled brogues. Black or navy pinstripe vest. White shirt or White elbow-length sleeve v-neck t-shirt. I think my bust-line makes a knotted tie look quite over-the-top, but I think it can look great on some women! I prefer jewelry around my neck. Here's a collage of some key items in the look.

Here is how I wore it today: Wide-legged seersucker pants, GAP. White v-neck collarless shirt, Forever21, Black linen vest, Banana Republic. Black/white flat brogues, F-Troupe. Black satin ribbon (as belt).

I admire women who's style sense I consider somewhat out of the ordinary. The casual androgynous look is for women who have a confident, non-conforming, free-spirited self-image. I find that men's wear is very comfortable and the incongruity of masculine-cut clothes on the feminine form is quite sensual and flattering. The Annie Hall is a later adaptation of an earlier classic style movement which was launched in the 40s. It is even more relevant in our fashion generation thanks to a wide variety of men's wear items that have been adapted into the female wardrobe.