Last month my closet expanded to include a dress marked with thicker-lined, dotted rosette detailing…detailing which leads me to believe I’m now the rather befuddled owner of a patchwork jaguar print dress.
I’d put money on the jaguar (panther onca) classification being accurate, but since I actually PAID for the dress I’m cutting my losses by using the generic tiger/jaguar/leopard/lion “panthera” label with abandon.
Besides: whichever big cat interpretation I’m sporting, the purchase is still mystifying. One minute I was returning a rather staid work top, the next I was walking out with an alterations chit for a married-to-the-HollyHobbie-Mob extravaganza.
I'm not really sure what to say about my love for this dress
In my defense, there’s so much going on with this dress I didn’t notice the animal print until I picked it up from alterations. Originally I just put it on and thought “Ooooh, flattering colors for me! tulip skirt for faking an hourglass shape! structured but soft fabric! great for travel!”
Oh sure: YOU wouldn't miss large patches of animal print on YOUR caboose etc
That’s not much of a defense, I know. New plead: I subconsciously needed a jaguar totem!
Jaguars live in caves and canyons close to fresh water. In mythology caves are linked with retreat and isolation, a place to go to aid soul work. Water is linked with the emotional body of humans. When the jaguar bounds into your reality it is asking you to go within, to release your fears, to heal your emotions and to awaken your inner sight. When you come out of retreat the jaguar will be there awaiting you. If you choose to follow his lead, he will guide you into the underworld where the secrets of life and creation are to be found.”
Hmmmm. My creative zest has been a bit MIA lately, but overall the last 6 weeks have included a lot of blue-sky-filled outdoor time, tasty Northwestern produce, socializing, and laughs.There’s even a much-needed, water-centric vacation finally on the books.
Shouldn’t that be enough to satisfy my inner jaguar? Why, even without the physical manifestation of its coat I’m practically all-onca’d up!
Jaguar: Endangered. Me: Knock wood, not endangered—though is anything in life certain?
Jaguar: Muscular build. Compact body with stockier legs than the lithe leopard. Stocky head as well, with a larger-looking jaw and an overall more square appearance to the face than the leopard. Very powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Me: Aside from leopard-y arms, ditto. Feral teeth + overdeveloped jaw muscles = unhappy dentist but major advantage if stranded on a desert island.
Jaguar: Unlike most big cats, loves the water. Swims, bathes, and plays in streams and pools. Me: Swimming is the only physical activity for which I have a natural affinity!
Jaguar: Solitary and territorial. Me: Often desire to lock myself in a closet for alone time. Liable to mark territory with aqua walls.
Jaguar: Excellent night vision. Me: Terrible vision in general.
How aligned are we? So aligned that I don’t even know how the average person could tell us apart at first glance:
Who's scarier? A jungle jaguar (panther onca)...or me, in a self-belted panther patchwork design
As the dress has a non-removable self-belt, it’s obvious a VERY powerful force compelled my short-waisted, H/Rectangle-shaped self to buy it and risk a one-way ticket to BlockyTown.
And yet not only did I buy the non-wallflower item, I’ve felt a strong pull to wear it ever since it first entered the house and seared Mr Vix’s eyeballs. [Panther Print Dress Blurb: “He was awestruck! Truly speechless! Wondered…when he’d be seen with me in the…dress!”]
And when I say I’ve been wearing it, I mean it’s been out the door for work and for play.
Adding a ruffled sweater and colored jewelry to domesticate vs letting the big-cat print out of the bag
YES (LAYERED UNDER/OVER) FOR WORK
Others may shudder, but I decided it behooves me to boldly invoke the predator rather than risk being tagged as prey….
Filed under: appearance, color, officewear, style over 40 | Tagged: body proportions, business casual, business creative, color, texture/pattern, there's medication for that |
Building a Colorful Life 
I love this dress!
Hi Ms B—I am so remiss in catching up with you, I know! Thanks for the compliment. You WILL stop me if I try to throw zebra-print shoes on with it, though, right?
But you are so funny, who cares about the prints? Really?
Amid/L—
I think if one is going to wear a print like mine, one had best have a sense of humor—especially about oneself!
Glad I can occasionally entertain someone other than myself; thanks much for stopping by.