Take a walk on the wild side this fall!

Take a walk on the wild side this fall — hot animal prints and patterns are a quick and easy way to add trendy style. We’ve rounded up our favorite “wild” picks right here in this week’s edition of The Trend Report!

Pony up
There’s a new animal pattern in town — the black (or brown) and white pony pattern. You’ll see it in many of the latest accessories this fall. So go ahead and round up two trends at once — something wild and something Western. We love it in a sleek handbag that instantly transforms your daytime look into fabulous chic. (Our pick is from MICHAEL by Michael Kors; available at Nordstrom.com.)

Trend tip: For a quick, inexpensive dose of animal attraction, pick up a pony-patterned belt — you’ll find them just about everywhere right now.

Ruffle some feathers
Wild thing! If you're looking for the most fashion forward way to embrace the trend, ruffle some feathers! Feathers of all kinds are a fashionista favorite for fall, whether on their own or as a necklace or earrings. Look for feather embellishments on shoes, boots, handbags, shawls and sweaters. And if you really want to strut your stuff, peacock feathers are the most outrageous. (Our pick is from Anthropologie.com.)

Trend tip: Feeling crafty? Then pick up gorgeous feathers at your local crafts store or online, attach them to some earring wires or a pendant necklace, and voila!

Show some skin
Reptile skins are a wild yet chic choice this season — and embossed leather in crocodile or lizard patterns are an elegant way to go. To raise the trend quotient, we love the mix of skins with suede or leather or even with rich tweeds, which you’ll find in handbags, shoes and boots (our pick, only $39.50 from The Gap). For a truly trendy walk on the wild side, opt for cowboy boots printed with a reptile pattern.

Trend tip: Crocodile-embossed leather is a classic look that never really goes out of style, so if you want to invest in something you’ll wear forever, go for a quality handbag or tote in a rich neutral — like cognac, chocolate or black.

See spots and stripes
Accessories aren’t the only things that have gone wild for fall. You’ll find plenty of animal-patterned skirts and tops to choose from as well, especially in tiger, leopard and zebra patterns. Go for a printed silk skirt ($98 at Ann Taylor.com) that you can wear year-round. For fall, just pair it with a sweater and boots, and come spring, wear it with a tee or tank and a great pair of heels.

Trend tip: Animal-patterned silk camisoles are a pretty choice for year-round style. If you're looking for the trendiest way to jump right into fall, do it with animal-patterned wool or cashmere tanks or sweaters.

Snake bit
Express your inner wild child with snakeskin patterns and motifs (but don’t limit yourself to shoes or handbags). If you love the pattern, look for it printed on silk, wool, jersey or even suede. We’ve seen snakeskin-patterned dresses, camisoles, sweaters — even suede skirts and coats. Choose neutral tones — such as beige, brown or charcoal — to add a subtle touch of style to your wardrobe.

Trend tip: The snake motif is an ancient symbol of wisdom and strength. Wrap one around your wrist (this one is from Vivre.com) and see if it works!

Only on TODAY.MSNBc.com! Style editor Judy Gordon brings you the latest news and advice about apparel and beauty. LAST WEEK: Love is in the air — and in your closet GO TO ALL FASHION FRIDAY COLUMNS

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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