Our Year of the Snake Picks for 2013

MAC Year of the Snake Collection

MAC Year of the Snake Collection

MAC Year of the Snake Collection

MAC Year of the Snake Collection

According to Chinese traditions, the snake is the most enigmatic of all the zodiac signs. People born during a snake year are known to be clever (or deceitful), quick witted (or rash) and philosophical (or crazy). Sound slippery? Indeed, but one thing is for sure: The fashion world loves a snake. Whether an entire brand is built around a serpentine motif (ahem, Roberto Cavalli) or a designer is just using a signature serpent skin, anything bearing the reptilian mark is likely to be luxe and lush. So while we don’t know exactly what this year of the snake will bring, we’ve collected our favorite snake-inspired picks to wear all year long.

MAC is known for its limited-edition collections that send beauty collectors into a frenzy, so this year they’re making it easier — or harder, depending on your shopping style — for beauty junkies to get their mitts on the brand’s Year of the Snake collection. Available exclusively online, the collection features favorite hues of the brand’s beauty powder (in Shell Pearl, one of their most popular shades), eye shadows (pressed options include Carbon and Aztec Brick, as well as  loose pigments in Brash & Bold and Push the Edge), and  lipsticks all emblazoned with a unique snake embossing. The whole collection will debut online at www.maccosmetics.com January 31st. The brand’s Web site is the only place to get these one-of-a-kind products, so be prepared to get your glam on — quickly.

Giuseppe Zanotti Snake-Print High-Top Sneaker

Giuseppe Zanotti
Snake-Print High-Top Sneaker

Giuseppe Zanotti is a go-to designer for novelty footwear. Sex on stilettos? He’s got the market cornered for gravity-defying, vertigo-inducing shoes that are pin-thin and walk the fine line between taste and tacky. He’s used everything from rhinestone spiders to 24-karat gold in his designs, but for the year of the snake, we’ve chosen his riff on the popular wedge sneaker ($725). Combining street-wear favorites such as the high-top silhouette and bold hardware with more high-end features such as the luxe snakeskin print, this shoe is a literal walking contradiction. Comfortable sneaker meets boa constrictor. Tasteful meets tawdry? Enigmatic indeed, making it the perfect shoe to walk the walk this year.

Available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Hunter Rain Boots - Carnaby Snake Welly

Hunter Rain Boots – Carnaby Snake Welly

For an option that’s less Real Housewives of Miami, we love the Hunter Boot welly in the brand’s all-new psychedelic snake print ($195). A classic go-to when the weather turns a bit nasty, Hunter boots never been known for glamor until recently, that is. With new patterns and colors being offered, the staid brand is breathing new life into its collection of rainy day staples. Sure to be a celeb favorite (we can picture just about any one of Hollywood’s PYTs donning these during an L.A. sprinkle), we can see these slithering into the next few seasons with no problem at all.

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Giles & Brother Nara Armor Snake Bracelet

Giles & Brother Nara Armor Snake Bracelet

Philip Crangi is known for his industrial-meets-chic designs, but it’s a surprise when he takes inspiration from more natural sources. After all, he’s all about spikes, screws and hooks, not the usual flora and fauna. The Nara Collection, however, is inspired by snakes and plate armor, evidenced in the Armor Snake Bracelet ($195), a tough yet bohemian take on serpentine motifs. The tough-yet-soft bracelet combines hammered brass as well as two tones of leather, giving you the ability to match it with everything from Helmut Lang skinnies to your summer maxi dresses.

Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Elsa Peretti Snake necklace

Elsa Peretti Snake necklace

For a more understated take on the snake, Tiffany & Co. has an Elsa Peretti stunner that’s as versatile as it is beautiful. The sterling silver Snake necklace ($3,900) is adjustable so you can have your creature couture slithering up around your neck like a choker or lower in a more lariat style. You can even wrap it a few times around your wrist for a gleaming reminder of this year’s zodiac sign. And, there’s also an entire suite of jewelry to match, so your slithering companion can have earrings and a ring to match — or go all out and snag this show-stopping piece in gleaming gold and you’ll stop any street style photog right in his tracks.

Available at Tiffany & Co.

Photos courtesy MAC, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co.

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Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

Christopher Luu is a Fashion Trends Daily Senior Writer and Menswear Editor.