Animal motifs in fashion have usually trended one of two ways: towards kids in kitty sweaters, or towards leopard prints that are better off in the boudoir than the boardroom. These days however, designers have started turning animals into sophisticated accessories and garments.

Jewelry design is rife with animal motifs. Who hasn't seen a coiled snake ring or a jeweled jungle cat brooch? Kenneth Jay Lane is among my favorites. His extensive creature features include octopus rings, Bengal bangles, and owl pendants. Ellie Rocks NYC sets diamonds and other precious gems into 24k gold to create dog charms and bone earrings, with a portion of profits going to animal charities. You probably don't want a bug on your person--unless it's one of Ben-Amun's golden beetle or mosquito necklaces.

I myself am somewhat obsessed with animal footwear: my Marc Jacobs mouse flats, my Moschino crab sandals, my Miss Trish fish flip-flops. Once I saw a pair of wellies with elephants on them, and I regret not buying them. Roger Vivier took animal shoes to the next level last year with real, taxidermied birds perched on the toes of golden stilettos.

On the apparel side, Primp offers an extensive line of casual tees and leggings with simple animal silhouette prints. Deer, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and owls are just some of the fauna in their ever-changing menagerie. Miu Miu's Spring 2010 collection featured bird and cat prints on nearly every piece--even the shoes. Joy Han often incorporates bold tropical birds into her dreamy silk dresses. Anthropologie and sister line Leifsdottir stock their shops with flirty, feminine, vintage-inspired clothing--and there is always an animal or two to be spotted, such as the horse-print dress, or summery silk goldfish skirt. Queen of quirk Betsey Johnson is no stranger to animals, either. Birds, spiders, cheetahs (the print and the animal), and butterflies have all adorned her dresses.

As fall approaches, many designers are continuing the animal trend. Pamela Love's fall collection offers jewelry shaped like vulture talons and raven skulls. A.L.C.'s fall must-have is a breezy silk-crepe tank with a vaguely abstract beaded jaguar image. Anita Ko's fine jewelry line includes earrings, necklaces, and rings shaped like cougars, jaguars and snakes--and all studded with diamonds.

Much like pets do in our day life, animals add fun and flair into a wardrobe--that is why animal motifs are Character Approved.

[Images: The Telegraph, BlueFly, Author's Own]