Jungle fever: how to wear the animal print trend about to take over your wardrobe

According to the spring/summer 2019 street style set, we’ll all be dressing in shades of animal the next summer.

Zebra, leopard, cheetah, tiger, snake… they’re the ultimate predators of the wild, creeping, sneaking and slithering their way through plains, jungles and forests. Marking out their territory with the help of intricate striped or spotted coats, their uniform is universally known—and equally as feared. Always a bold print, iterations of animal skins in fashion have been around for a long time, conjuring images of Madonna and Fran Drescher—glamorous, sexy, and grown up!

Now, the concrete jungle, at least during fashion week, has been overrun by variations of the classic animal print; snakeskin boots, cheetah printed slip skirts and silky tiger stripes plastered across a shift dress or emblazoned in the place of florals on a Hawaiian-inspired box shirt, taking the place of pretty patterns and demure pastels.

From New York right through to Paris the street style set have taken on the predatory prints and made them fresh, current and oh-so-covetable. Who would have thought that in 2018 we’d all be clamouring for snakeskin clad cowboy boots or a sheer long sleeve top patterned with leopard spots. No longer a drawcard for maximalists only, the animal print craze is most definitely a trend for even the shy.

So how can you pull off the animal print without looking like you stepped out of the 80s? Steer clear of heavy fabrics like wool or cheap polyesters and opt for silks or light cottons, both of which will ensure the patterns look current. Opt for cuts that are in line with other trending shapes, like mid-length slip skirts or dresses, boxy button up T-shirts or oversized suits, all of which will ensure the piece says fresh. As we’ve learnt this season, anything goes, so stacking your animal prints might feel dangerous, but in days like these, you have to do a lot to stand out. Layer one print on top of another, or style a leopard top with snakeskin boots for a decidedly exotic take on the trend. Your non fashion friends might look on in confusion, but remember their faces when they first saw ugly sneakers? Who’s laughing now.

For the less daring, try a shoe cut from (faux) snakeskin in a mule instead of the current cowboy cut. Or, go for a leopard print micro bag—it’s all in the details.

Of course, there’s no better time than the present to embrace the jungle fever full on; go bold or go home with a tailored take on spots and stripes, opting to double up on the same print for maximum mileage. Embrace the body-con and go for a glove-like maxi dress complete with cheetah or leopard spots, which, paired (if you dare) with snakeskin knee-high boots from the likes of Zimmermann or Rochas, will make you queen of the jungle.

Still not inspired? See below for more ways to wear animal prints.