Gone are the days when animal print was relegated to reruns of The Nanny and Jersey Shore: Today's it-girls are styling those wild patterns anywhere and everywhere, from the office to after-hours happy hour. Animal print, famous for its attention-commanding glamour, has embarked on a sleeker journey, making the case for itself as an inspired neutral that you can turn to for almost any situation. As Virginia-based plus-size style coach and personal stylist, Salifya Akers, paints it, this sudden uptick in literally fierce looks could stand as yet another iteration of the reigning Y2K-inspired trend cycle. However, this year's styling is far more approachable than ever before.
Ready to work a hint of playful edge into your ensembles? Ahead, we break down wearable ways to style five of the most popular animal prints, complete with product picks you'll turn to again and again.
1. Leopard Print
Leopard print crept back onto the scene with velvety paws when it quietly took over the fall 2024 collections of designers like Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent. (Likewise in Sézane's outerwear designs and Brandon Blackwood's iconic trunk bag.) Now, we're seeing the full market saturation of this tortoiseshell-adjacent animal print with peak versatility. As Akers argues, leopard firmly qualifies as a neutral because "it's composed of neutral colors like white, black, browns, and other colors"—so don't be afraid to pair it with countless ensembles this fall.
2. Zebra Print
This year's sumptuous chocolate brown obsession has taken a wild turn as part of the zebra stripes revival. Weleny recommends grounding a neutral-toned print with a handful of other neutrals, creating a cohesive (yet not quite monochromatic) look that's a touch more special than typical office ensembles. Combine chocolate and cream zebra stripes with a mocha midi skirt, or toss on a black and white zebra tote with a beige blazer ensemble. On the flip side, some style icons (like Izzi, above) have found success in mixing and matching with a pop of neon.
3. Crocodile Effect
Crocodile textures are an undercover yet ultra-cool way to test out the animal print trend. (The look also adds a textural element to leather staples, like internet-loved Pistola Denim’s straight pants.) Here, Jenna Ortega styles a croc-style blazer with a sleek tote and coordinating sunglasses, making for an excellent going-out look that subverts the traditional LBD.
4. Snakeskin
Still feeling intimidated by animal print? Weleny says to start small. Consider investing in a snakeskin handbag or an asymmetrical dress that naturally flows with your existing wardrobe. The slouchy mini bag pictured above is effortless enough to combine with a sporty polo and tennis skirt.
5. Cow Print
The Western trend is digging in its heels. Fresh off the wave of cowboy boots and flared jeans this summer, many of autumn’s best accessories have a subtly agricultural twist. This fall's cow print iterations are also brilliantly wearable: refined and natural in shape, blending washes of soft gray, brown, black, taupe, and beige all over.
