The cat (cheetah? leopard?) is out of the bag: one of the hottest trends for fall is animal print! While you may have seen animal print décor surge in popularity over the last year or so, the fashion world has officially claimed these wild patterns for its own. When you hear “animal print,” you may have flashbacks to the leopard-spotted unitards worn by 80s glam rockers, or the ubiquitous zebra stripes high schoolers around the country rocked in the early 2010s. But at Cate’s Boutique in Anderson, SC, we believe that modern animal print is tasteful, not tacky – and here are some pieces that prove it!

Of all the animal prints out there, cowhide has undergone the biggest revival in the last couple of years. Whether authentic or faux, cowhide rugs and furniture are a rustic-chic gateway to the Wild West. Perhaps when you think of cow print, the classic black-and-white spots come to mind, right out of a kid’s picture book (and not exactly glamorous). But we are all about the down-to-earth vibes evoked by one-of-a-kind patterns of black, brown, and white. Don’t forget to complete the look with cowgirl-forward fashion!

We could go on for DAYS about how much we love feline prints: edgy, exotic, and seductive, these patterns have been a marker of luxury and excess for over a century! Now, we believe in treating cat prints as a neutral. Whether you prefer leopard spots or cheetah dots, a beautiful cat-print accent can add some excitement to your outfit without stealing the show. Our favorite trick? Use the classic black-and-tan cat print as a blank slate, then spice it up with a jewel-toned top. The rich color makes your neutral palette more exciting, while the animal print adds an unexpected accent to a solid-color staple.

As a boutique located in Anderson, SC, less than a half hour from Clemson University, you know we love our Tigers! And with tailgate season upon us, it’s the perfect time to find a new tiger-print dress, blouse, or shoe to show off at the next game day party. No matter if it’s the vibrant orange of a Clemson tiger or the more muted rust coat of a wild tiger, the exotic stripes steal the show and stand out all on their own. Just like Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney says, “best is the standard” – and that’s absolutely the case when it comes to tiger prints!

When it comes to animal print, we can’t let the mammals have all the fun! A new snakeskin or alligator-print accessory is just the thing to add a little “bite” to your closet. The tiny scale-like details add nuance to what could otherwise be a plain piece – and yes, we said scale-like, as all the reptile-print items in our shop are made of genuine or vegan leather and suede and not from the cold-blooded critters themselves. So take a minute to slide right into any of these beauties and put a little ssssspring into your ssssstep.

From cuddly cows to fierce felines and rowdy reptiles, animal print is the can’t-miss trend this fall. Take a walk on the wild side with any of these cute items from Cate’s Boutique – and don’t forget to round out the aesthetic while you’re here! We can’t wait to see you in person to shop in Anderson, SC, or you can order online. Share your style on social media, and be sure to tag us so we can be inspired, too.