Get ready to unleash your wild side! Animal prints are having a major fashion moment right now. Whether you’re a longtime leopard print fan or looking to experiment with new prints like zebra or snake, incorporating an animal patterned tee into your wardrobe is a fun and easy way to add a fierce edge to your outfits.
In this blog post, we’ll share our top 5 picks for must-have animal print tees. We’ll also provide tips on how to choose the best print tee for your personal style and advice on how to style them to create fashionable looks that are more chic than cheesy. Let’s get started!
Before we get to the printed tops, let’s take a quick look at why animal prints remain such a timeless, versatile, and popular fashion choice.
Animal prints have been around for decades and have been worn by countless celebrities and style icons. Whether it’s Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot rocking leopard print in the 1950s and 60s or today’s stars like Beyoncé and Rihanna sporting cheetah and zebra prints, these exotic patterns have maintained their fashionable appeal.
One reason is their versatility. Animal prints are bold enough to make a statement, but can also act as a neutral depending on how they’re styled. An animal print tee easily goes from day to night. You can dress it up with trousers and blazers for work or dress it down with shorts or jeans for the weekends.
Animal prints also have a fun, adventurous vibe about them. They allow you to experiment with different textures, colors, and silhouettes in an eye-catching way. Plus, they can boost your confidence and unleash your inner wild side!
Now let’s get to the exciting part – our picks for the top 5 animal print tees that need to be on your radar this season!
Top 5 Animal Print Tees
1. Classic Leopard Print Tee
First up is a wardrobe staple: the classic leopard print tee featuring that iconic tan and black spotted pattern.
Look for one in a relaxed, boxy fit made from a soft cotton jersey material. This style will pair perfectly with everything from pencil skirts for work to your favorite denim for the weekend.
When styling, opt for solid colors like white, black, gray, olive green, or denim to let the print pop. To dress it up, layer under a sharp blazer or tuck it into a faux leather skirt. For a casual daytime look, knot it at the waist or front tuck it into cut-off shorts.
Our top leopard tee pick is the Pointelle Short Sleeve Leopard Tee from J.Crew. J.Crew’s tees are high quality, comfortable, and their pointelle knit leopard pattern adds nice texture.
2. Zebra Print Cropped Tee
Step out of your comfort zone with an eye-catching zebra print cropped tee. This edgier style makes the perfect pairing with high waisted jeans or skirts.
Look for a cropped boxy cut in black and white zebra stripes. Play with proportions by wearing it with the matching zebra midi skirt for a head-to-toe look. For casual wear, pair with cutoff denim shorts and white sneakers.
Our fave is the Cotton Zebra Stripe Cropped Tee from Madewell. We love the soft 100% cotton fabric, cropped length, and boxy fit. Madewell offers classic tees in a cool variety of zebra prints.
3. Tiger Print V-Neck Tee
Show your fierce side in a tiger print v-neck tee! The flattering V-neckline and form fitting style is ultra sexy and stylish.
Look for one in a stretchy cotton jersey material with an allover black and orange tiger stripe print. Pair it with black trousers or a leather skirt and heels for nighttime or tuck into distressed denim with white sneakers for day.
The Wild Fable Tiger Print V-Neck Tee at Target is our top pick. It comes in women’s standard and plus sizes and features a slim fit, soft fabric, and cool distressed tiger print design.
4. Snake Print Cap Sleeve Tee
The snake print cap sleeve tee is perfect for transitioning between seasons when you need light coverage. This tee is also a great layering piece under jackets and flannels.
Opt for one with a silky poly-spandex fabric in black, gray, or green snake print. Dress it up for work with trousers, pencil skirts, and blazers in matching neutral tones. For weekend wear, pair with cutoffs, jeans, or joggers.
We love the BP. Snake Print Cap Sleeve Tee from Nordstrom. The fabric drapes beautifully and comes in 3 versatile snake prints: python, viper, and anaconda.
5. Giraffe Print Boxy Tee
Be bold in a bright and playful giraffe print tee! The looser boxy fit paired with a colorful giraffe pattern will add a fun pop of print to any outfit.
Look for a boxy tee in a soft cotton jersey knit. Try pairing a red or pink giraffe print with light denim for a casual weekend look. For work, tuck it into a solid black pencil skirt and add booties.
Our top pick is the Giraffe Print Boxy Tee from Anthropologie. This relaxed fit tee features a vibrant pink and red giraffe print that will liven up any outfit.
How to Choose the Right Animal Print Tee for You
Now that we’ve covered the most popular animal print tee styles, let’s go over some tips for choosing the right one for your personal style:
- Consider your usual color palette – Pick prints in color combos you typically wear. Black and white prints work with everything.
- Pay attention to fabrics – Look for soft, breathable fabrics like cotton jersey. Stay away from cheap, stiff fabrics.
- Make sure the fit flatters – Tailored tees complement hourglass figures while boxy tees flatter rectangle shapes.
- Consider fun details – Look for interesting cuts like raw hemmed edges, henley necklines, puffed sleeves or knotted sides to modernize your look.
- Shop at stores with a wide selection – Boutiques, department stores, and online shops like ASOS offer tons of stylish print options.
- Try it on! – Make sure you feel confident and comfortable rocking your chosen print.
Tips for Styling Animal Print Tees
You’ve got your fierce new animal print tee – now it’s time for the fun part of styling it! Here are our top tips for creating stylish looks:
- Pair with solid colors – Let the print pop by keeping the rest of your look minimal and neutral. Black, white, navy, olive, and denim work well.
- Try edgy print mixing – Animal print paired with leather, camo, tie-dye, or stripes can look super cool.
- Dress it up with blazers or heels – Add polish for work by layering under a blazer and trousers or pencil skirt and heels.
- Tuck it into skirts – For both casual and dressy looks, tuck the front into a midi or maxi skirt.
- Knot and crop – Knotting at the waist or cropping with a front tuck highlights your waistline.
- Layer it – Wear under moto jackets, cardigans, flannels, and kimonos for easy layering.
- Don’t forget accessories – Statement earrings, necklaces, cuff bracelets, and sunglasses complement any animal print look.
FAQs about Animal Print Tees
We know you probably have a ton of animal print questions. Here are some common FAQs:
What colors look best with animal prints?
Stick to neutrals and basics. Black, white, beige, gray, olive, and navy pair well with most animal prints. Bright colors can sometimes clash.
What prints pair well together?
Prints in the same color family typically complement each other. Matching a leopard and zebra print tee and skirt in similar black and tan shades creates a chic coordinated look.
Can I wear animal prints if I’m over 50?
Absolutely! Animal prints are timeless and ageless. The key is opting for classic styles and silhouettes and avoiding overly trendy pieces. Focus on proper fit and elegant styling.
Are animal prints still in style?
Yes, animal prints remain incredibly on trend right now, especially for tees and dresses. Brands like Free People and Reformation have incorporated exotic prints into many of their latest styles. However, since animal prints are a classic pattern, they will always weave in and out of mainstream popularity.
Is there an age limit for wearing animal prints?
Not at all! There are no hard rules. Wear animal prints at any age as long as you style them tastefully. Youthful cropped tees pair well with high waisted bottoms to show just a sliver of skin. For a mature look, try tailored leopard print tops under a classy blazer or coat.
How do I wear animal prints without looking tacky?
Stick to one printed item at a time. Choose classic silhouettes and colors. Pair prints with simple, muted pieces like white button downs or little black dresses. High quality fabrics and tailored fits will also keep your look elevated. Ditch the flashy rhinestones and fringe.
What colors and styles should I avoid?
Steer clear of neon brights and loud patterns which tend to look over-the-top. Baggy oversized fits can also appear sloppy. Instead, look for dark neutrals and fitted or cropped styles.
What shoes work best with animal print tees?
Since most tees are casual, sneakers, flats, and sandals make great pairings. Heels can also work for night outs. Make sure the color complements the print rather than clashes.
What tops pair well with animal print tees?
Neutral basics pair perfectly to let the print pop. White button downs, basic tanks, cropped camis, denim jackets, and flannels complement without competing.
Conclusion
We hope this post helped you find your perfect animal print tee and gave you lots of style inspiration! The key is choosing high-quality prints in colors and silhouettes that you feel confident and comfortable rocking. With the right styling, you can look chic, not cheesy, in your fierce animal tee.
So unleash your wild side and have fun experimenting with exotic patterns and prints. Life is too short for boring solid tees when there are so many cool animal prints to choose from. Trust us, your closet will thank you. Let us know if you have any other questions!