Wild Card
Animal print is back on the prowl, but it’s wandering far beyond the leopard section.
This fall, snakeskin, crocodile embossing, ostrich-inspired texture, and even deer print are giving the trend a fresher, more sophisticated personality. These updated patterns work surprisingly well as neutrals—just with considerably more attitude. InStyle’s Fall 2026 trend coverage highlights these wilder alternatives.
The styling rule is simple: choose one animal-print piece and let everything around it stay quiet. Pair a deer-print jacket with a black dress, snakeskin boots with dark denim, or a crocodile-embossed bag with a simple knit. The contrast keeps the look interesting without turning the outfit into a wildlife documentary.
We especially love these prints in warm brown, cream, black, and burgundy because they slip easily into a fall wardrobe. One wild card. Everything else under control.