Fashion’s a zoo—or at least it’s starting to look like one. Winter’s breakout trend is further testament that womenswear is distancing itself from the mellow temperament of quiet luxury. Everyone seems to have or want at least one leopard-print or croc-embossed piece in her wardrobe this season. It’s about time that fashion showed off its wild side.
Hints of an animal-print resurgence were spotted throughout the Fall/Winter 2024 and Resort 2025 runways. This spring, Michael Kors sent down the catwalk a shimmering overcoat made from jaguar-printed calf hair—incredibly opulent, incredibly fierce—while Jacquemus opted to refresh the classic black-and-white color palette through a bold zebra print splashed across a mid-length pencil skirt and sprawling wrap coat.
And if you thought the swirl of texture and print would be a short-lived act of rebellion, Resort 25 collections proved the trend’s staying power. Roberto Cavalli coated his western-inspired pants and overshirts in a zebra print, while Givenchy delivered a fur-trimmed biker jacket and matching skirt crafted from snakeskin-effect leather drenched in red—a siren in reptilian clothing.
Aside from the proverb that everything old becomes new again, how do you explain the enduring appeal of animal print? Once the height of glamour, animal print lost its luster over time, becoming unfashionable—even tacky—before becoming the popular trend it is today. One argument is that it resists the human urge to hibernate. With bone-chilling winds taking over short days and even longer nights, it’s all too easy to cancel plans and stay indoors. But what’s the fun in that?
These prints require—rather demand—to be seen. But figuring out how to incorporate them into a wardrobe for long-term wear isn’t always easy. Below, we’ve broken down the biggest animal-print trends and how to style them.
Big Cats
Perhaps the most popular of the animal prints are inspired by the big cats: cheetahs, leopards, tigers, and jaguars. They’re available across a range of outerwear and accessories, and you can add a silky calf-hair boot or leather belt to a neutral slip for a pop of color and texture or go all out with a spotted shift dress layered under the pièce de resistance: an oversize spotted balmacaan.
Norma Kamali Cheetah-Print Minidress
Mango Leopard Leather Belt
Reformation Remy Knee Boot
Cow
Cow print, like the sweet-natured mammals it references, is softer than the fierce felines but just as eye-catching. This is a print that will work well with dark neutral colors like black, navy, and brown. Wear it on an ankle-grazing slip like Altuzarra’s and let the dress do all the work for you. Or you can wear it across a statement shoulder bag or brushed loafer for a playful accent.
Maje Reversible Shearling Jacket
Altuzarra Cherie Printed Silk Maxi Dress
Alaïa Le Teckel Shoulder Bag
Tod’s Gommino Calf Hair Penny Driver Loafers
Reptiles
Reptiles are both alluring and occasionally dangerous. This mix of hard and soft, tough yet sensual, is what makes leathers embossed with snake and croc print appealing for eveningwear. But if you’re looking to extend your reptilian wear into the daytime, an accessory such as Khaite’s patchwork tote or Zara’s studded sash are easy substitutes for their nighttime counterparts.
Khaite Zoe Tote
Frame Midaxi Leather Skirt
Zebra
The bold contrast of black and white is timeless, but you don’t have to rely solely on solid colors to get the effect. With its broad stripes, zebra print creates a sea of waves across a canvas of stark white. It’s masterful in that it can be both funky and elevated. Pair your look with gold accessories for maximum effect.
Mango Zebra Asymmetrical T-Shirt
Jacquemus Rond Carré Shoulder Bag
Malene Birger Boshan Zebra-Print Maxi Skirt
Roger Vivier Belle Vivier Zebra Buckle Pumps
Michella Oré is the fashion commerce editor at Harper's Bazaar. Previously, she was the style commerce writer at GQ and associate producer at Vogue. Her writing has been published in i-D, 10 Magazine, and WWD.
