Animal prints are back! Along with the browns and purples, plaids and stripes.

Fashion for Fall 1996 has definitely come full circle -- as like most styles -- with long straight or full skirts, the black and white combination, short or long jackets in velvet or fur trim and even leather.

The shiny look is also in in greys and bright colours.

At Trimingham's, assistant buyer Julie Grayston-Smith said Fall '96 offers newness in colour with continuity to seasonal favourites like brown and deep mahogany which works best for careers and spice tones for casual wear.

"Purple, in all tones from violet to grape, gold and chartreuse -- which is lime green, and greys are very important and they work back to bright colours,'' Mrs. Grayston-Smith said.

She added: "Black and white of course take on importance in patterns, but not just patterns -- they work great with lipstick red which is a fashion must.

"Also in style are corduroys for both career and casual along with hounds tooth and plaids.'' Mrs. Grayston-Smith also said in prints the newness is in space water colour florals, and new animal interpretations like Dalmatian and then of course tiger and leopard prints.

"Animal prints are still with us and anything done tonely like a darker with a lighter in the same colours.

"Shorter and softly shaped jackets and pants are very important along with pant suits for career,'' Mrs. Grayston-Smith said.

She added that zips are still on a lot of things like jackets and shirts and Gucci buckles are on jackets, skirts and pants.

"There is no set length for skirts. We have a tendency to go with longer, softer skirts although all lengths are in.

"There is also lycra blends in a lot of the casual pants. And shine is also in for outer wear such as jackets and vests in bright colours like chartreuse.'' At Twenty-Seventh Century Boutique owner Sharon Bartram said the shop will still have all separates.

"Our lengths are long and we have a lot of skirts and trousers -- narrow and a slightly flared leg -- in grey, dark brown, black and a touch of red,'' Mrs.

Bartram said.

She added: "We have A-line skirts and straight tunic dresses in black and beige. One of the strongest colours this winter is purple in different shades.

"Fashion is trying to substitute black with brown in chocolate,'' Mrs.

Bartram said. "And checks are also strong for the winter along with double breasted jackets and denim in pencil straight leg or the flare.'' Mrs. Bartram said the boutique also has a selection of fashionable boots and platform shoes in orange, chocolate brown, and black.

H.A.& E. Smith juniors contemporary buyer Diane Barritt said young people can also see animal skins as the number one fashion.

"It is a must-have item for this Fall wardrobe whether it be an all over print or a small accent on the collar, it is a great way to brighten up the darker colours of Fall,'' Mrs. Barritt said.

She added: "Leather is the number two it has come back even stronger this Fall and our juniors department has our widest selection of leather goods, suede skirts, pants and oversized two pocket shirts and a fabulous selection of leather jackets.

"Rafaella -- we carry the largest selection of this multi-functional contemporary sports wear line. Things to look for are slim pants with a zip up wool jacket.'' Mrs. Barritt added that hard wear is the key word for Fall with zipper pockets on jackets and the front of dresses -- it makes "a statement''.

In the Ladies department animal skins is the all-over print. Also available are Angora sweaters, hats and solid colour sweaters with the collar in animal print again.

"Slim pants is a very strong item and an easy way to change the look of your Fall wardrobe. Kasper is always the leading manufacturer for career merchandise and they are featuring the colour cafe latte' (brown) for Fall in a very big way.

"Cappuccino, and nutmeg, are the colours from all the designers this year.'' At men's clothing store The Edge owner Ronnie Baksh said men can expect to see jackets in white, black, navy and grey and velvet jackets.

Also on hand are velure corduroy jeans, and sweaters along with the usual dress shirts and dress pants.

Buyer for Aston and Gunn, Ernie Lewis, said there will be lots of leather and ladies will be "sexy''.

"We are going a lot more casual for women with Calvin Klein lingerie and lounge wear,'' Mr. Lewis said.

He added that there will also be a younger and hipper look in men's wear for business. The main colour in Calvin Klein for the season is brown, camel off white, and black.

"Brown, navy blue and black are what's in for men but for women navy is not shown too much.'' Mr. Lewis also said the store will also have leather skirts and pants along with the hooded models -- "a real funk and street look''.

And for the more "eclectic'' Aston and Gunn has beautiful Chanelle sweaters for both men and women in the basic brown family.