Jump directly to the content

LEOPARD print? That was SO last week, darling.

There is a dark horse on the High Street — and it is the new leader of the animal-print pack.

Abbey Clancy reclines in her stripey top which accentuates her curves and keeps her looking sleek
13
Abbey Clancy earns her fashion stripes as the face of Lipsy
The Zara Zebra shirt is £29.99 and will be suitable for all occasions
13
The Zara Zebra shirt is £29.99 and will be suitable for all occasions
  • Shirt, £29.99, Zara -
The feisty rapper, Cardi B, can’t be tamed and wears head-to-toe zebra print with pride
13
Feisty rapper Cardi B can’t be tamed and wears head-to-toe zebra print with prideCredit: BackGrid

It may have less bite than its predecessor but is just as fierce for style.

Behold . . . the often overlooked zebra print.

The monochrome stripes are less common than the leopard patterns flooding shop floors, offices . . .

and the queue at your local bus stop.

Holly Willoughby fit right in with her stripes while presenting I'm a Celeb, although this yellow Zebra number isn't a true representation of Zebras
13
Holly Willoughby blended right in to the jungle backdrop with her stripes while presenting I'm A CelebCredit: ITV
Coat, £59, Topshop
13
This Topshop coat, £59, will add exciting curves to your body line
  • Coat, £59, Topshop -
Boots, £22.99, New Look will give your feet the jungle look
13
These boots, £22.99 from New Look, will give your feet the jungle look
  • Boots, £22.99, New Look -
Supermodel, Heidi Klum, has her foot – and legs –in the door with these trousers
13
 Supermodel Heidi Klum has her foot – and legs –in the door with these trousersCredit: BackGrid

The leopard look has clawed its way into every woman’s wardrobe since the spring.

Just last month, we declared it was spot on. But fashion is fickle, so instead of turning up to parties afraid you will run into yet another leopard lover, put the cat on its leash and let the zebra run wild. After all, the monochrome print provides a much easier colour palette to wear — and won’t earn you comparisons with Corrie’s Bet Lynch.

Black and white is a sophisticated pairing that can work for all occasions.

For a night out, accessorise with statement heels, bright earrings and a sweep of bold red lippy. Or pull on a zebra jumper with your go-to jeans and trainers for a bit of daytime fun.

This pouch bag, £15.99, from New Look is perfect for looking like a jungle Queen
13
This pouch bag, £15.99 from New Look, is perfect for looking like the queen of the fashion jungle
  • Pouch bag, £15.99, New Look -
Pixie Lott's hat a cat-astrophe but she makes a splash in one-piece
13
Pixie Lott's hat is a cat-astrophe but she makes a splash in a one-pieceCredit: Instagram
This skirt from Mango, £49.99, will make man-go mad over your stripes
13
 This skirt from Mango, £49.99, will make your man-go mad over your stripes
  • Skirt from Mango, £49.99 -
For Denise Van Outen, the TV host opts for monochrome and proves the thigh is the limit with this trend
13
Denise Van Outen opts for monochrome and proves the thigh is the limit with this trendCredit: BackGrid

The pattern will truly earn you your fashion stripes, from morning to night. It lets you make a statement without needily roaring: “Look at me.”

Still on the fence?

During Holly Willoughby’s stint hosting I’m A Celeb, she made the case for coloured stripes. Sales of the telly star’s red Rixo and yellow Zadig & Voltaire frocks soared.

The zig-zag lines flatter all body types, creating curves while distracting from any problem areas.

This cross-body bag from Clutch, £35, Accessorize will keep you safe - it's a jungle out there
13
This cross-body bag from Clutch, £35 from Accessorize, will keep you safe - it's a jungle out there
  • Clutch, £35, Accessorize -
These knee-high boots, £110, River Island give you the edge over the padding Leopard-print
13
These knee-high galloping zebra boots, £110 from River Island, will give you the edge over leopard-print
  • Knee-high boots, £110, River Island - 

Balenciaga, Tom Ford and Dolce & Gabbana welcomed zebra print for this year’s autumn/winter collections, further cementing its status as queen of the jungle.

England Sevens star gets a paint job: Alice Richardson
Topics