Never straying too far from the fashion radar, leopard, cheetah, zebra and tiger prints are ultra big this season.

Along with florals, animal prints have become less of a classic women's fashion staple and more mainstream, transcending from season to season.

Just to prove the point, former Spice Girl Mel B (Scary Spice) has launched her own clothing line in animal prints. Her aptly named Catty Couture line reflects the contents of Mel’s own stage wardrobe with figure-hugging, sexy outfits featuring her beloved leopard prints. The launch took place on 7th April at the California Market Centre in Los Angeles, where she had her own runway show.

According to hellomagazine.com Catty Couture has frilly leopard print tops, flowing skirts and funky T-shirts. However, how these outfits translate into the high street remains to be seen as most of the styles are so skimpy that you need the enviable figure of Mel B to carry them off.

This season though it is not just about clothing. Whilst leopard print tops, skirts,swimsuits and dresses have always been a firm favorite with the fashion world, shoe and handbag designers have experienced the call of the wild. Bags, shoes, hats, scarves and belts are covered in the leopard, zebra and pony hair prints of the season. Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin all include animal prints in their recent shoe collections and Prada, Valentino, Tod's and Dolce and Gabbana offer some great purses.

Pony Prints

A new kid on the block is the zebra print, and pony hair featured in shoes and bags. Prada, Marc Jacobs, Valentino and Jimmy Choo have pounced on the trend.The Giuseppe Zanotti open toe mary janes, as featured in theshoegoddess.net are a classic example, and Tod’s Girelli East/West Zebra-Print Pony Bag, as highlighted in Purseblog.com.

Animal Print Shoes

From boots to courts and flats to wedges, there is no escaping the jungle influence. Says Florence (the Shoe Goddess) of theshoegoddess.net, “The benefit of animal print shoes is that they are almost like black shoes completely timeless, they match basically everything, and add a subdued elegance with a trendy hint.”

Christian Louboutin’s Rolando Leopard Print Shoes are a classic example of how stylist animal prints can be. Not to mention Louboutin’s “Peanuts” animal wedges, fun and funky.

If it’s ballet flats you are after, then Rock and Republic have come up with some really stylish Zebra prints. Black and white zebra and pony prints give a new twist to the classic (and often saturated) leopard, these shoes are stylish and trendy.

Online retailer Asos.com offers a leopard print flat sandal , just perfect for the beach and a cheeky underground leopard ballet pump with ribbon.

Animal Print Purses and Bags

Another way to “do” an animal print is to wear it on your arm. Make sure though that your outfit is not too busy if you want to look classy and not brassy.

Jimmy Choo's Marin Zebra Clutch is a great example of a go-anywhere bag and Valentino White Zebra Pony Hair Shoulder bag is a practical alternative. Dolce and Gabbana have a collection of leopard prints purses, available from Saks. Their leopard print messenger is right on trend and the leopard tote is a stylish alternative.

Animal Print Hats, Belts and Scarves

If animal prints are not really your thing, then consider just dipping a paw into the trend by adding a leopard print scarf or donning a feline sunhat or headband. Tie a scarf around the waist of a little black dress for a new twist or wear an elegant leopard print belt with a camel colored or plain black top .

How to Wear Animal Prints

Whilst much has already been touted about animal prints in numerous fashion articles on Suite 101, the message is still the same. The important thing to remember when wearing animal prints is to avoid overkill. “A little goes a long way, “ says Anne-Marie Crtuis, Elle fashion director. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe agrees and adds “Take baby steps, a belt here, a pair of shoes another time. Only do one piece at a time.”

Animal print shoes “look good with any kind of outfit and color. They are almost as neutral as a pair of black shoes," says the Shoe Goddess. Spice up a little black dress with a pair of leopard print courts or wear zebra or pony print ballet flats with skinny jeans. Animal prints and denim jeans are a marriage made in heaven!

Don’t go wild with clashing prints, this only serves to look trashy. Let animal prints bring out your wild side but tame your instincts and allow yourself just a hint of one particular print, keeping the rest of your outfit simple. Stylist Rachel Zoe suggests that you “choose carefully , and play it as a highlight.”