
How to wear animal print
Leopard, cheetah, cow: animal print is a fashion staple that never goes out of style. Here’s how to wear it now
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Year after year, fashion show after catwalk extravaganza, one thing that will never go out of fashion is animal print. Playful but chic, punchy but classic, and considered by many pro-stylists as an alternative to neutrals, animal print is a timeless choice, whatever your age, whatever the season and wherever you are. Leopard print is the all-time favourite (celebrity fans include Kate Moss, Mel B a.k.a Scary Spice and Alexa Chung), but other jungle, safari and farm varieties include snake, tiger and cow.
A hard worker in your wardrobe, whether you’re after a head-to-toe ensemble or a subtle splash of wild style, make animal print your SS25 go-to. Whether used to make a bold statement, add to neutrals or simply add a vibrant accent to your outfit, the beauty of animal print is its versatility. Whether you consider yourself a maximalist or minimalist, here’s how to wear animal prints now, featuring some of our favourite new-season pieces to buy now.
Off-duty
Don’t overcomplicate animal prints; they are more than capable of doing the talking themselves. Whether leopard, zebra, cow, or even tiger, add playful prints to your daytime attire for cool, contemporary, casual vibes. Look for simple silhouettes, like a pair of jeans or a cosy knitted cardigan or jumper,, to elevate your style with some modern edge. Ganni’s leopard-print jeans are a staple, and if you haven’t seen them on your friends, sisters or colleagues by now, well, we don’t know where you’ve been. For a Dalmatian-esque take on animal print, Ba&Sh’s black and white alpaca wool sweater is a low-key piece that Cruella De Vil would most definitely approve of.
Smart and formal
On the other end of the spectrum, why not use animal print to smarten up your look? Tailored trousers and shirts, or even a full two-piece suit rendered in a striking pattern, can be equally formal and fun. From a suave statement matching set, like this chic skirt and jacket combination from Rixo, to a satin shirt (we love this one from The Kooples) tucked into slacks or statement straight-leg leather trousers (we’ve got our eye on Whistles’ snakeskin variety), channel girl boss energy at office meetings and networking events with a punchy animal print that means real business.
Parties and dinner dates
Turn up the heat at your evening dinner and dancing dos in animal print. Daring and a little bit seductive, wear a dramatic floor-grazing dress, like Rat & Boa’s semi-sheer leopard print design, paired with heels and a slick of red lipstick for a striking party look. Alternatively, throw an animal print coat, like Rotate’s zebra-striped one, over your LBD to really make an entrance.
Animal print outerwear
An easy way to get animal print into your wardrobe? Coats and jackets. Layer on a trench coat, like Stella McCartney’s new season belted offering, or a preppy collared jacket, such as Ganni’s canvas one, and take your style from ordinary to extraordinary. Perfect for adding a bit of street style glam to crisp mornings and chillier evenings.
Mix and match
Feeling brave? Go all out and mix and match different animal prints, clashing leopard with a spot of tiger, snake with a touch of zebra. This is a statement look, and will give you some serious style points. Go big with clashing tops and bottoms, or add juxtaposing accessories for a playful, daring take on the trend. If you’re not sure where to begin, start by picking a one-piece rendered in a bold animal print, like Stella McCartney’s leopard-print midi dress, and pairing it with shoes in a different print, such as Amina Muaddi’s zebra design heels – an iconic duo.
Experiment with colour
For a fresh take on animal prints, go colourful. Either style your preferred printed piece with a single statement colour throughout the rest of your outfit, or choose a print in a colourful shade for an extra eye-catching result (Kitri’s blue-hued leopard print dress offers a unique take on the trend). Or match a classic pair of printed jeans with bright knitwear, like Kitri’s red cardigan, for killer impact.
Tone on tone
For something a little more subtle than a mix of conflicting prints and bold, bright pairings, stick to a colour palette when wearing animal prints for a more toned-down, less dramatic but equally effective look. Match leopard prints with tonal hues, such as Alessandra Rich’s skirt with Another Tomorrow’s cream sweater, or Blaze Milano’s brown leopard print jeans with a similarly-hued mink cardigan from Reiss. Styling plains with prints in similar hues will make the animal design pop, trust us.
Accessories
You can easily dip into animal prints with accessories. A simple way to give your outfit that little spicy edge without going overboard, add in a belt, scarf, bag or shoe for a subtle nod to the trend. From Khaite’s snake-effect belt to cinch you in at the waist, to Celine’s chic zebra print sunglasses to set off your outfit, it’s all about the details. Go for drama in the shoe department with a pair of animal print trainers (Dries Van Noten has great options), or a funky bag like this monochrome cow-print one from Amina Muaddi.