Take a walk on the wild side this fall!

Cheetah Print Dress, $24.99 at Target.com

Somehow it seems like fall is synonymous with animal prints.  Maybe it's the warm tones associated with them, maybe it's some subliminal way of embracing the warmth of a foreign safari as the temperature drops, but whatever the reason, I love it.  I wear my leopard print flats year-round anyway!  And I've already got my eye on this cheetah print dress from Target.  (Though it's mis-named:  cheetahs have spots, not stripes.)

Leopard is always a popular look.  I love this cropped jacket – the shape has sort of a Mad Men feel, and you could just as easily wear it over jeans and a t-shirt as you could a little black dress and heels.  It's the kind of piece that will instantly lift your basics into a more polished look.  If you're feeling a little more adventurous, the same site also offers monochromatic leopard-print jeans.

Cropped leopard jacket,
$21.99 at NewportNews.com

Zebra print skirt, $19.99 at Target.com

Target also has a nice selection of zebra this fall.  Zebra is a great print because it's black and white palette and graphic look make it really versatile.  You can wear a zebra print piece with almost any other color.  Mix it with brights and it creates a bold, pop-art look.  I love this cardigan for exactly that reason – the bright pink (or is it purple?) border creates a nice contrast.  I also love that they continued the pattern into the colored area.   Or you can keep your look all black and white and still have the bright pop of the pattern.  This skirt would look great paired with a crisp white shirt and black pumps. 

Snakeskin purse,
$34.00 at NewportNews.com

If you prefer to keep things more subtle, you can still work some wild style into your look.  Try a snakeskin purse – the pattern is a little less flamboyant but you still get the idea.  (This is a better option if you prefer a bigger bag.)  Or remember those leopard flats I mentioned?  Shoes are a really easy way to give an outfit a little pop.  Check out these cute flats at ModCloth, or these from Payless – the Payless shoes also come in a cute blue and black version.  If you prefer pumps, there are plenty of affordable options.

Liven up a solid dress or cinch the waist of a cardigan with a zebra-print belt, like this one, on sale for $29.99.  (It also comes in leopard.)  Or give just a hint of the wild with a leopard print watch.  

"Feline Feisty" flat, $29.99 at ModCloth.com

If you do choose an animal print, make it the focal point of the outfit – I love the look of a bold print with bright colors, but keep the shape and style of your other pieces simple.  Print + ruffles or shoulder pads or any other kind of frippery can become too much really fast.  To keep it classy, keep the focus on the print.  Keep jewelry simple and makeup subdued (though a bold red lip and leopard print do make a classic bombshell combo).  Definitely stay away from actual animal print makeup.

A lot of people shy away from animal prints because they think they're hard to wear.  But really you can tailor them to your own style with the amount and type that you choose.  You don't have to look like someone out of Married to the Mob.