What was the original appeal of animal prints on intimate garments?
In the mid-1950s, Sheena Queen of the Jungle, played by Irish McCalla, created a hit out of the 26 t.v. episodes that were produced. Inspired by the Tarzan films, the series was so popular that even Elvis Presley made one of his first acting appearances on the show.
Irish ran, swam, and saunted through the jungle in her torn animal prints on 1950s t.v. when June Cleaver types were the normat home. As the decade progressed, the foundation for civil and familial unrest took root. Sheena and her jungle attire were precursers of things to come in society and a wonderful escape from the rigid roles women played at that time.
Sheena Queen of the Jungle has made its way to main stream fashion today. For the last couple decades, jungle prints have torn up the run ways, beaches, and back yard bar-b-ques, going in and out of fashion. Now-a-days, the print has become so popular that even my 54-year-old mother-in-law wears the wildest animal print she can find to go pool-side.
What are some of the lastest animal print swim suits that can be bought for summer?
The Le Doux suit (image above left) can be bought at figleaves.com for $65 (on sale now). The Dolce & Gabbana cross over one piece is $158 (above middle). While the Leopard Print Bikini by Michael Kors is £124 (above right).
In any case, these animal print swimsuits can bring out your sexy seductress side that likes to live on the edge!