Animal prints are big this year with the safari trend bringing back the whole leopard skin look that has been simmering away for a few seasons now. Animal prints are great and can look fun but should be worn with caution.  Head to toe full on leopard skin print can be too much. The new animal print is subtle and stylish with muted prints and cool accessories to add a finishing touch to an outfit. The monochrome or neutral prints can also be cleverley matched with other colourful prints for a dramatic  eyecatching effect.

Christian Dior Resort 08 - leopard skin print chiffon is a really glam way to wear this trend. 

Derek Lam, Ready to Wear Spring Summer 08 -This dress uses animal print but scales right down in muted colours

Christian Lacroix Ready to Wear Spring Summer 08 - Dress incorporating animal print into a colourful fabric design.

Thakoon Resort 08 - A beautiful silver animal print gown for a really different way to wear this trend.

Go for a look that will bring out the pussy cat in you with these lovely leopard print tights. Very trendy these up-to-the-minute tights will enhance your outfit no end. There is a  whole range of colours to suit every mood. They would look great with a little black dress or a neutral coloured safari style shirt dress.

This seasons safari trend is great if you are planning  a trip to Africa, but it is also a really smart and cool look for any occasion this summer. The key to this look is the softly structured jacket pulled in at the waist with a belt. Short shorts showing off tanned legs and leather sandals. The beige and khaki colour scheme is mixed with whites, browns and tans. For  a really dramatic effect, designers like Christopher Kane have used animal skin prints. Chiffon also featured, giving some of the outfits a much softer feel.

At Versace white was the predominate colour but with this seasons safari shorts - short, khaki and tailored.

At Donna Karen loose fitting and softly draping shorts looked great with a fitted top, wide belt and 3/4 length coat for a really elegant take on the safari look.

At Michael Kors, a crisp and clean cut safari jacket was teamed with short white shorts. A floppy hat and sunglasses completed the look and were also great for protection from the hot African sun.

At Blumarine, a khaki shorts suit with softly structured tailoring looked cool and laid back.

 Pictures from Style.com

If you don’t have the legs of  a super model, but still want to look cool in this summers safari shorts trend, these Bermuda Chino Shorts are perfect.