Earn your stripes (and spots): Nine ways to wear animal print this season
For spring 2025, the memo is clear: fuss-free or ostensibly femme worn with cool or subdued colourways. If you’re prowling for a fierce ‘fit, there’s room for both. Let’s see how.
Jenna Lyons called it. The former J.Crew executive creative director (and my style icon) once famously referred to leopard print as a neutral – such is its versatility. She wasn’t wrong.
No longer the provenance of ‘that girl’ who’ll try anything, the domestication of animal print (leopard or otherwise) makes it less of a trend and more of an expectation. In fact, we can’t get enough.
For spring 2025, the memo is clear: fuss-free or ostensibly femme worn with cool or subdued colourways. If you’re prowling for a fierce ‘fit, there’s room for both. Let’s see how.
Think of H&M’s leopard print balloon-sleeved blouse with black satin trousers or Arket’s square-toe snake print booties with a crisp white shirt and straight-leg jeans.
What’s not to love about a jersey zebra midi dress from M&S? One and done.
Should clean lines feel too detached, add extra dimension to your look with tactile leather.
Massimo Dutti leads the charge with its earthy and textured cow print accessories from bags to belts– perfect with denim-on-denim or the equally pervasive boho aesthetic.
Word to the wise: invest in a garment brush to alleviate shedding. Better still, check today’s How to Wear It for non-leather options.
Having prowled the high street myself, I have my favourites.
Top of my list? The Reiss ‘Naomi’ top leaves just enough to the imagination, thanks to a high roll neck and artfully placed snake print; sheer audacity.
As for Zara’s moccasin-style leopard print loafers?
I’m almost tempted to retire my heels. Big cat energy, after all, does not entail bunions.
1. Animal print trench coat, Next, €80
2. Square-toe snake print ankle boots, Arket, €249
3. Leopard print balloon-sleeved-blouse, H&M, €49.99
4. Cow print leather belt, Massimo Dutti, €59.95
5. Cow print leather bag, Massimo Dutti, €299
6. Tiger printed jersey column midi dress, M&S, €45
7. Cow print slip skirt, Zara, €32.95
8. Cheetah print leather and sheepskin loafers, Zara, €69.95
9. ‘Naomi’ snake-print roll-neck top, Reiss, €185
