Heat up the holidays with jungle fever fashion
TODAY Style editor Bobbie Thomas on how to wear winter’s wildest trends
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“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” ... fashion feels alive! From the print of a leopard and the swivel of a snake to the fuzzy layer of a fox’s coat and the vibrant feathers of our fluttering friends, it’s easy to explore the exotic elements of safari style. Bobbie Thomas, TODAY Style editor and author of the Buzz column for “In Touch Weekly,” takes us on a journey to find the best fashions the forest has to offer.
Leopard prints
Leap into this trend with a spotted piece. There’s something undeniably sexy about a silk shirt or flowy dress in this neutral-toned print. But if you want to tone down the boldness, balance a basic outfit with a luxe leopard accessory. And you won't have to hunt for animal-inspired handbags or shoes this season — from Jimmy Choo’s best-selling Carolina handbag (net-a-porter.com) to more than 40 pairs of leopard-print pumps and flats on Nordstrom.com, there are plenty of options to choose from!
Bobbie’s Buzz: Prefer to keep your prints under wraps? Scour the stores for some leopard-print lingerie. Myla, D&G, Hanky Panky and Betsey Johnson all offer classy options that are well worth prowling for.
Snake sculptures
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saks.com Kenneth Jay Lane cuff |
Now is the perfect time to pick up a piece of jewelry that snakes around your body. Cuffs from Kenneth Jay Lane (saks.com), earrings from CC Skye (revolveclothing.com) and pendants from Jessica Elliot (couturecandy.com) are just a few of the items slithering onto the style scene this season. Whether you wear a bracelet halfway up your arm or opt for danglers that latch onto your lobes, these designs are dangerously addictive.
Bobbie’s Buzz: Roberto Cavalli is known for fusing animal inspirations into his designs. His latest collection for H&M was no disappointment — his famous animal-print blouses and blazers and cool serpent and snakelike jewelry sold out of stores in just six minutes! How's that for animal instinct?!
Faux fur 
Whether you want a full coat, or just some simple trim, bundle up beneath the softness of a faux fur item. The plush fabric can be used to dress up your look, but faux fur doesn’t have to feel formal. The camel coloring and bell sleeves of Juicy Couture’s swing coat are fun and flirty (shopbop.com), while the cropped length of Banana Republic’s faux fur shrug makes it easy to throw on over any outfit (bananarepublic.com).
Bobbie’s Buzz: Fur-lined boots are not only extremely hot — they’ll keep your feet from being cold! Hint at your secret survival skills by sporting a pair with trim that sticks out over the top.
Feathers 
While all the birds may be flying south for the winter, their bright-colored feathers are appearing on the latest fashions. From gowns and brooches to eye-catching evening bags, vivid wisps add a wow factor to any outfit. I’m loving the use of feathers on dresses, but for a fast way to incorporate the trend, try on some simple earrings like the peacock pair from Fred Flare (fredflare.com). Or, as I’ve demonstrated before, make your own just by using feathers and hooks — you’ll get plenty of wear out of this crafty creation!
Bobbie’s Buzz: Sarah Jessica Parker is carrying a feathered Salvatore Ferragamo clutch in the upcoming “Sex and the City” movie. What more proof do you need that this trend has wings?
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