TRIBUNE-REVIEW (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) 26 September 08 Snakeskin Liberates Your Whole Ensemble (JoAnne Klimovich Harrop)
Take a walk on the wild side by adding a touch of python or cobra to give an outfit that animalistic edge.
Snakeskin, real and faux, can be found across the board this season in shoes, belts and handbags -- even apparel. Its wide range of color and patterns make it both versatile and stylish.
"Snakes are very terrifying, at least to me," says Laird Borrelli- Persson, senior fashion editor for Style.com. "I think that is also what makes them fascinating when it comes to fashion. You can dye them, and that with the combination of the texture, which rises up a little bit, creates the look of thousands of little diamonds."
One look is to combine a snakeskin belt or shoes or bag with a jersey dress, Borrelli-Persson says. Or add the pieces to an outfit of khaki pants, white shirt and blue blazer.
"Snakeskin is extremely popular because it is both luxurious and exotic," says Gregg Andrews, one of the fashion directors for Nordstrom, which opens next month in Ross Park Mall. "People have always been intrigued by snake and other animal skins, and it is tough to tell real from fake because of the way they are made."
Just adding a snakeskin belt or carrying a snakeskin handbag can make a bold statement, says Eileen Lewis, director of fashion strategy for Zappos.com. A subtle way to incorporate snakeskin is to replace your basic black pumps with a pair of black snakeskin shoes.
Choose an accessory from which to build an outfit, she says.
"One piece is the perfect accent," Lewis says. "So don't go overboard, because there is already a lot going on with the pattern and the texture in the snakeskin shoe or belt or handbag. One piece is enough to change an outfit. Some people can go too crazy. You don't have to shout it out. You can still be up on the trend without screaming it."
Snakeskin shoes are an interesting and unexpected companion to the floral and animal prints that are so important to fashion this fall season, says Karen Peter, vice president and general manager for Saks Fifth Avenue, Downtown.
Lucy in Oakmont carries a snakeskin shoe by Arteffects that combines embossed snakeskin with metallic tones, which is another hot trend for fall, says owner Rosemary Zottola.
"We've found that a shoe such as this goes not only with red, denim, navy, black and all the wonderful shades of purple that are so big this season, but, when paired with browns and greens, it actually takes on a bronze tone," she says.
Adding a snakeskin trim to a leather bag creates an accent that gives just the right amount of flash, says Sydne Bolden Long, InStyle magazine fashion editor.
"I see a lot of inexpensive bags, and I can't tell whether they are real or fake, Bolden Long says. "Target has some of the best faux-snakeskin handbags.
"Snakeskin is an amazing look. Just a small touch can add to a look."
Snakeskin Liberates Your Whole Ensemble