In the past few weeks, I’ve been analyzing specific trends and types of clothing within the fashion industry. But this week I am going to be writing about a specific pattern that is repeating itself into 2020 as it has also done so in past years. And this is animal print. Yes, I know that animal print can look a bit tacky as it has in the past. But 2020 has brought a new twist to this old trend…It now looks edgy and chic.

 

Animal print can take a variety of shapes, patterns, and colors but the thing that the fashion industry loves most about animal print is how versatile it can be. It can be any material: denim, leather, polyester, cotton, and so forth thus making the options for clothing articles infinite. The animal print that has become popular in 2020 is predominantly on pants and jackets.

I was first introduced to this upcoming trend by my hometown friend who goes to the University of Washington in Seattle. She is quite fashionable and has great taste so I always try to trust her with her new wardrobe changes. She sent me a picture before she was going out for my fashion approval. The outfit she had on was a skin-tight black bodysuit, a black leather jacket, black leather boots, and a pair of zebra print pants. At first glance I thought the pants were a lot but honestly this new print has now grown on me. They are from “Motel Rocks”, an online retailer very similar to the sites I mentioned last week, “Nasty Gal” and “Princess Polly”. 

The new animal print when paired with the right color and accessories, can look quite edgy and expensive and more mature than the older trends of animal print. I personally will definitely be buying a similar if not the same pair as my friend. I think that animal print is exactly what 2020 needs because it just looks so much more fun and fresh than some of these other trends. Even if the idea of wearing a full on zebra print pant scares you, there are so many fun new purses, earrings, shoes, and so forth that also can compliment this new trend. The modernization of animal print is really just evidence that the fashion world is evolving more than ever this year and I could not be more excited to see where it will continue to lead us.

https://us.shein.com/Leopard-Hooded-Faux-Fur-Coat-p-1578826-cat-1735.html?url_from=adplaswouter07200903575L&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqdP9BRDVARIsAGSZ8AlvpfZv3cEAHozDemW8RwoUWcwDJj0oIHWrRLqfudeXDa-MuTv4tHkaAl6dEALw_wcB

Zoven Trouser in 90's Zebra Black and White

 

Even though the last few days have been in the 70’s, Pennsylvania is starting to see the colder weather slowly trickle in. I was walking around downtown State College earlier today and although it was quite cold, not one student was wearing a jacket. I’m not sure if this is due to convenience, fashion choice, or just plain stupidity but regardless very few students are acknowledging the dropping temperature. So instead of my usual analysis of current fashion trends, I’m going to predict one that I think will take over this winter when Penn State Students can no longer bear the cold in t-shirts and leggings.

 

My go to online shopping websites at the moment are “Nasty Gal” and “Princess Polly”. I like these sites because usually they are on top of trends among younger women and aren’t ridiculously expensive. They’re clothing styles are pretty opposite with “Nasty Gal” relying on more hard-core  and modern fashion styles and “Princess Polly” relying on more girly and floral fashion. Although opposites, both just released a large inventory of what they’re naming as “Puffer Jackets”. They are kind of like a hybrid between down jackets, and 80’s ski jackets. They come in all different colors and are cropped at the hip. 

Now why do I think these are going to become popular? Well, I was at the Target downtown the other day which for those who have been, know it’s quite small with limited inventory compared to that of a normal sized target. Despite this, they were actually selling these “Puffer Jackets” that were just about identical in comparison to the ones that I saw on “Nasty Gal” and “Princess Polly”. They’re on the more expensive side for typical Target fashion merchandise priced at $32. Downtown has very limited clothing retail selections for students and if the student is opposed to online shopping, the Target is a great place to look. THIS is why I think these jackets will be so successful and trendy this winter: because they’re now convenient.

Although a large retailer like Target selling these jackets is going to make them lose their “sparkle” and originality,  I still am going to buy one of these jackets just because they’re not only warm, but definitely on the fashionable side. Being from Colorado I own my fair share of large puffy jackets, but I think the bright colors being sold will be a nice change to my black and gray collection of cold weather apparel.

 

Links to Photos:

https://www.nastygal.com/crop-n-roll-padded-bomber-jacket/AGG40757-165-24.html?istCompanyId=c0be3c48-e653-4c39-b0ef-f608859d9f17&istFeedId=6391ec2f-cb91-4734-b4e8-dc6e630eb98c&istItemId=imlmaaqtr&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAtK79BRAIEiwA4OskBo7z8l_4MrVjcPWEFUVBgPxbPNKTaAVOJ3ZocqhqfDpAxC9tBsAiphoCHckQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.target.com/p/women-s-cropped-retro-puffer-jacket-wild-fable/-/A-80208306?preselect=79857500#lnk=sametab