A/W 2015 trend alert: animal print

The animal influence, from fur and snakeskin to the classic spots and stripes, was everywhere on the catwalks this fall. Striking and stylish, animal print is also surprisingly easy to incorporate into your everyday look – here are our favourite ways to bring the trend into your wardrobe this season. 

Fur coats

A fur coat thrown over an outfit is a great way to make an impact, whether during the day or on a cold evening. Keep it classic with a fur jacket or coat in a solid, neutral shade, such as black or brown, or make a scene with a slightly bolder piece – take a look at Louis Vuitton’s neon-tinged leopard print design for inspiration.

Fur coats don’t have to feel like Cruella de Vil’s cast-offs. Try something more fitted, or with a little more structure, for a sleek, controlled look that still makes an impact. Steal an idea from Givenchy’s fall catwalk, and transform a fur jacket with a slim belt at the waist to create a sharp silhouette.

Classic leopard print

Leopard print is a timeless classic, and the perfect alternative to neutral hues for adding a touch of interest to any outfit. This fall, the print found its way into a number of collections in a variety of different ways: at Burberry Prorsum, a demure leopard print coat was given a little edge with leather detailing, whilst matching clutch and bucket bags swung in models’ hands. If a coat rendered entirely in leopard print is a little too much for you, a bag is the perfect way to bring just a touch of the trend into your look.

Colourful leopard print

They say a leopard can’t change its spots, but you can. Take inspiration from Miu Miu’s leopard print coats and dresses in acidic shades of turquoise or lilac, or Hedi Slimane’s fur capes and jackets in bolder hues. Combining whimsical colour with a classic print serves to emphasise the artificiality of a print that is inherently inspired by nature – and there is something very modern about that.

Animal print touches

If you don’t want to commit to a full-on fur ensemble, opt instead for the occasional animal-esque detail – try a touch of fur at the collar or cuffs of a coat, much like Alessandro Michele’s on the fall catwalk at Gucci. A fur scarf is a timelessly chic way to both keep warm and inject a winter outfit with a touch of subtle sophistication.

Don’t forget your feet – the thought of animal print shoes may sound tacky at first, but it could really bring a classic or neutral outfit into the modern world – pair with jeans and a casual jacket for just a chic daytime look.

Snakeskin details

If full on prints aren’t quite your style, snakeskin can make the same impact, but with more of an edge. Keep it sophisticated a la Marni fall 2015, where snakeskin appeared as a light accent in the form of bags, ankle boots and belts, tying each look together with fluidity.

New twists on the trend

Of course, there’s always room for something completely different. Don’t be afraid to experiment with less traditional animal-themed prints. At Max Mara’s pre-fall show, monochrome images of eagles or tigers were blown up across a dress or top, bringing a contemporary, graphic interpretation of the trend. Meanwhile, Stella McCartney transformed the meaning of “animal print” when she used the images of animals themselves as a print. A colourful cat motif repeated itself across a dress or coat – an irresistibly quirky way of bringing a timeless trend into the modern wardrobe. 

Grace Cain