I may be alone in this sentiment, but animal prints in fashion don’t generally light my fire. Leopard-print trench coats? Pass. Snake-print shoes? Pass. Tiger-striped scarves? Pass. Animal-print lingerie usually irritates me too: it can be a lazy design default for some mass-market brands, as though one of the higher-ups said “well, we’ve done white, beige, black, and red; let’s make a leopard one for The Sexy.” Sheesh.
The thing is, this season, I feel like maybe my prejudices were blinding me to some really, really lovely lingerie sets. It all started when I saw Panache’s new leopard print for the super-popular “Jasmine” at August’s Curve. I liked it! I really, really, REALLY liked it! I could even see myself wearing it! But it was animal-print– was I betraying all that I held dear? I thought maybe I needed to step away from it for a bit, and then all my usual feelings would reassert themselves. Nope, now it’s February, and the bra is starting to appear in stock at my favorite retailers, and it’s still calling my name. Panache seems to have had some trouble with prints for Jasmine; apart from the first black/bird print, none has really appealed to me. Now, when they choose to use the print I’m conditioned to hate, I absolutely adore it. Oh Panache, you tricksters. You win again. I’ve already set aside some of my discretionary budget on two other sets this Spring, but if I had the cash to spare this one would be coming home with me in a heartbeat.
Falling in love with the animal-print Jasmine made me want to explore some other sets I might have bypassed the first time I saw them, simply because I tend to reject animal-print anything out of hand. In a shocking twist that surprises no one, I was missing out on some beauties!
1. “Vava” by Miss Mandalay
This pretty padded bra by Miss Mandalay won me over simply by using my lingerie Kryptonite: the color green. Gorgeous! I’ve tried this and found it to run a bit snug, so I recommend sizing up in both the band and the cups.
2. “Coco Loco” by Mimi Holliday

“Coco Loco” by Mimi Holliday. Silk chiffon balcony bra, lace shoulder bra, classic knicker, suspender, and lace boyshort. Bra sizes begin at 28 D-FF and carry up to 38 C-D, depending on style.
Since the theme of today is apparently “fashion things that I don’t like”, the alleged Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid? Yeah, I hate it. I want no part of it. Sorry Pantone, can we go back to Emerald? I was on board with Emerald. Radiant Orchid isn’t lighting my fire. And yet here we are, with the sassy Mimi Holliday “Coco Loco” collection featuring not only vibrant leopard but also Radiant freaking Orchid, and I’m totally down with it. This is delightful.
3. “Kayla” by Goddess
Continuing with the Radiant freaking Orchid (well, magenta), Goddess offers a vibrant animal print bra for fuller figures in both an underwired and wire-free style. Though Goddess is an Eveden company, their bras feature US sizes, so the cup size progression goes like this: D, DD, DDD, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N. Kayla is also available in teal as well as a fun purple zebra stripe.
4. “Leslie” by Parfait
Built along the same lines as their popular “Charlotte” style, Parfait offers this lovely leopard set, paired with black contrast trim, sheer mesh panels, and bright red bows. I love the high-waist knicker with sheer sides! I’ve heard rumors this set might get a cup size expansion soon– has anyone else heard this?
5. “Mae” by Affinitas
For the more petite, Parfait’s sister brand Affinitas offers a slinky padded bra, ruffled thong, and even a coordinating camisole. This set is on sale at various retailers, so you might be able to grab a bargain!
6. “Marlena” by Crème Bralée
Crème Bralée launched in 2013 with a range of pretty, flirty bras, knickers, and accessories in band sizes ranging from 32-44, including “Marlena”, a dramatic plunge bra with a matching ruched suspender belt. While the current cup size range is smaller than some of the other styles I’ve shared today, I may have exciting news on that front before too long!
7. “Savannah” by Panache Swim
Now let’s return to Panache and take a gander at some swimwear. There’s some nice continuity between the main Panache lingerie styles and the swim styles for this season. “Jasmine” is available in both an animal-print and a white-and-floral print; the same goes for “Savannah” on the swimwear front. Much as it surprises me to say so, I prefer the animal-print over the floral in both the lingerie range and the swim.
Animal prints usually feel especially cheesy to me in swimwear, yet I think Panache has pulled it off with a great deal of elegance. Both the swimsuit and bikini are glamorous and slightly retro– I especially love the gorgeous bandeau swimsuit with detachable straps! I only wish, selfishly and also for some of my fit clients, that these two styles were available past a G cup.
8. “Maya” by Cleo
And then there’s Cleo‘s take on animal print in their “Maya” style, which, sorry, just looks BANANAS to me. It’s so all over the place! Pastel floral embroidery with rainbow animal-print cups and neon accents? What is even going on?
Oh Cleo, you beautiful tropical fish: I do not understand this bra. Maybe this is a bra for someone with a wildly different personal style to my own. I admit that the lookbook images above sell the bra a lot better than just seeing it on the floor at Curve– the model, the styling, and the location are all helping enormously. But where Panache went for classic and came up with winners, I can’t help but find Cleo’s take a little, well, tacky. But then I look at the images again and I think maybe it works? Please help me sort out my feelings.
9. Bonus F/W 2014 Preview: “Deco Rebel” by Freya
Finally, as a sneak peek of some of the treats in store for the Fall (and as a preview of what we’ll be seeing at the trade shows at the end of the month), Freya will offer an animal print version of their beloved and hugely popular Deco molded plunge bra. This feels like such a natural fit for both the brand and the bra style– well done, Freya!
What’s your take on animal print? Any of these sets catch your eye? I’ll be interested to see what designers have in store for us for the Fall when I head to Lingerie Fashion Week next week!
lauriedancer
February 13, 2014 at 10:08 am (9 years ago)Love, love, love.
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 10:16 am (9 years ago)I’d love to see you dance in any of these, Laurie!
The Lingerie Lesbian (@LingerieLesbian)
February 13, 2014 at 10:52 am (9 years ago)I’m loving the sneak peek at the theme of the AW14 Freya look book– ‘rebel’ seems like an appropriate name!
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 10:57 am (9 years ago)I think so too! Very excited to see what the full collection has in store.
Laura Brasinha
February 13, 2014 at 12:46 pm (9 years ago)Animal print can look super duper mega tacky. BUT, I do believe it can be done right, very right.
And, sorry, but I’m super in love with that Maya by Cleo! I know, I know… it’s flashy. But it’s also diferent, vibrant, new and wild!
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 1:24 pm (9 years ago)You’re so right– sometimes you need a little flashy in your lingerie drawer!
Erica of A Sophisticated Pair
February 13, 2014 at 7:19 pm (9 years ago)You and I are a bit of opposites because I am a sucker for animal print fashion items. Just off the top of my head, I know I have two pairs of leopard heels, a zebra belt, two animal print based dresses, two different leopard print scarves, and a leopard print pencil skirt. We won’t even talk about the animal print rugs, chairs, etc. I have in the store or my home! 😀 That said, I have never really found an animal print bra or piece of lingerie that really called to me. It’s not that I’m not open to trying it, but like you, I think a lot of designers fall back on animal print is “The Sexy!” You did a great round-up though, and I totally agree about the Maya. I have not had a single customer like the look of that bra, and one went so far as to say: “Turn the page, that bra is too ugly to look at.” YIKES!
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 8:25 pm (9 years ago)Um, your leopard pencil skirt sounds DIVINE. I wish I’d written more coherently: I tend to find animal prints really cute and stylish on pretty much everyone who’s not me. For whatever reason, I just can’t get them to mesh with my personal style, though, like bananas, I give them a try every once in a while to see if I’ve changed my mind. I do really like the Jasmine though (well, and the Mimi Holliday, but alas: sized out), and if I don’t get along with one of the other sets I’m ordering this Spring, I may give it a try!
faustineli
February 13, 2014 at 8:04 pm (9 years ago)I saw an upcoming Maddie Animal which was a bright orange. Is it still coming out?
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 8:21 pm (9 years ago)Yes! You are 100% correct— thank you for the reminder!
windiegardie
February 13, 2014 at 9:01 pm (9 years ago)We are on the same page here! Animal print and I do not get along. Even when I like an animal print design, I still cannot imagine myself wearing it at aaaaall. The closest I ever came was Miss Mandalay’s Suzie, but still no cigar. But the SNEAK PEEK! Now I just want to see what else Freya has to offer 😀
Sweets
February 13, 2014 at 9:03 pm (9 years ago)Me too me too me too me toooooo re Freya.
Lily Twigg
February 13, 2014 at 9:11 pm (9 years ago)I share the same sentiment! I would probably never wear leopard print for everyday clothing, and while we’re on the subject, here’s another one to add to your list…
http://www.thelingerieaddict.com/wp-content/uploads/Lost_in_Wonderland_Lingerie_Magdale%CC%80ne_High_Waist_Front.jpg
So delicate and amazing :3
Sweets
February 19, 2014 at 9:44 am (9 years ago)oh WOW. Yes, that is totally amazing. I love it!
Missy M.
February 13, 2014 at 11:48 pm (9 years ago)99 out of 100 times, animal print doesn’t really impress me. But when it does? I tend to really, really love it. I really, really love the Leslie!
Sweets
February 19, 2014 at 9:45 am (9 years ago)I like it too! I’ll be interested to see which styles Parfait takes past a G-cup; I’d actually love to try Leslie!
Jessica
February 14, 2014 at 7:41 pm (9 years ago)We are on the same page. I really don’t love animal prints but I try to keep at least one animal option in the store each season because there is a lot of demand for it. Elomi has a nice new animal print option coming for the fall which I think will excite the masses. Parfait also has a new animal print for the Jeanie bra which will definitely rival the Deco.
Sweets
February 19, 2014 at 9:45 am (9 years ago)Oooh, I’ll have to keep an eye out for the Parfait bra. I’m SO excited to see what Elomi has in store for F/W14– the sneak peeks have been gorgeous.
Katherine
February 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm (9 years ago)I’m surprised a leopard Deco hasn’t been done already! I’m not sure how I feel about the orange bows, but I think it might be worth a try.