Spring Is All About Safari Style

Photos clockwise L-R: Fall 2015 Trina Turk, Michael Kors Spring 2015 (credit: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com), L.A.M.B Spring 2015, Acne Studios Spring 2015 (credit: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com), Michael Kors Resort Wear 2015, Altuzarra Spring 2015 (credit: Kim Weston Arnold/Indigitalimages.com), Hermes Spring 2015 (credit: Yannis Vlamos/Indigitalimages.com)

Spring 2015 is all about safari style. What better way to ward off the winter weather woes than to go on an African safari? If you cannot go on safari in person, let your clothes take you there in spirit.

The safari trend first originated in the 1960s when Yves Saint Laurent dedicated a 1967 fashion show to an African themed collection. The designs were more tribal in aesthetic, but they changed the way women looked at travel wear and laid the foundation to the first safari jacket that YSL would debut the following year.

1960s supermodel Veruschka photographed by Franco Rubartelli for Vogue in the original safari jacket.

The foundation to safari style starts with images of Africa. Designers tends to use color palettes based in earth tones and natural colors: beige, tan, olive, ivory, green, and white. Fabrics most commonly used are linen, cotton, muslin, and leather. Traditionally, safari style was accented by animal prints, bamboo accessories, and animal inspired jewelry,khaki, and cargo pockets. Recently, designed have added influence from tropical locations such as bright colors (as seen in Ralph Lauren's Spring 2015

ready to wear collection) and lightweight fabrics and feathers.