The best fitting jeans for the pear shaped figure

Animal Print Is the New Neutral (Yes, Really)

If you’d asked us five years ago whether animal print could ever feel as calm and wearable as camel or navy, we may have raised an eyebrow. But welcome to AW25 – that’s exactly what’s happening. Animal motifs have quietly repositioned themselves from “bold statement” to “understated essential” – the new neutral for modern wardrobes.

It’s not just us saying it. Vogue’s “Addressed” column recently argued exactly this: treat zebra or cow prints as if they were black, snake-print as grey or beige, and leopard or tiger spots as brown tones. Vogue The logic is elegant and simple: once you see them as tonal patterns rather than loud graphics, they slot effortlessly into what you already own. Meanwhile, fashion sites like Who What Wear highlight how leopard, zebra, and snake are saturating runways and street style this season.

Our obsession, SheerLuxe, has long flirted with this evolution. In “3 Ways to Wear Leopard Print”, they offer styling formulas that feel entirely grown-up: high-waist jeans and a pussy-bow blouse, or leopard trousers with an asymmetric top. SheerLuxe Their confidence echoes exactly the shift we’re seeing: animal print is no longer a leaning-edge option but a quietly powerful neutral.

So what does this mean for us? Women who want to infuse a little edge — without feeling like we’ve stepped into an ancient episode of Coronation Street? Obviously you have to be of a certain vintage to get this reference to Bet Lynch!

Below are five ways to incorporate this AW25 trend into your wardrobe

5 Ways to Wear Animal Print in AW25

1. Start with accessories — the easiest entry point
A print bag, pony-hair loafers, or a silk scarf in leopard can act exactly like a neutral accent. A snake-print belt under a camel coat or zebra-print ballet flats under navy trousers—these small touches make the trend wearable.

2. Wear one printed bottom, anchor it with solids
Printed trousers or a midi skirt are perfect for dipping a toe in. Wear them with a crisp white tee, black blazer, or tonal knits.

3. Opt for a printed outer layer
A leopard or zebra-print coat or jacket gives you instant impact. It behaves like a neutral in many combinations: draped over tailoring, worn with jeans, or layered over knitwear.

4. Go tonal with prints rather than high-contrast
Choose prints where the motifs are close in tone (taupe on camel, warm grey snake, soft zebra in mocha) rather than stark black&white contrast. This softens the effect and helps the piece integrate into your wardrobe.

5. Layer prints with structure and tailoring
If you’re feeling bold, mix a printed blouse or shirt under a structured blazer, or pair a printed slip dress with a longline wool coat. Try pairing high-waist jeans and a pussy-bow blouse with a smart coat and don’t be afraid of subtle prints under heavier tailored pieces — you’ll catch glimpses of pattern that elevate your look.

Bonus Tips

Match scale to proportion: Larger spots or prints can overwhelm; medium motifs often feel more harmonious.
Tone-on-tone accessories: Think camel leopard with a suede camel scarf; soft grey snakewear with dove grey gloves.
Texture matters: Think pony-hair, jacquard, soft brushed wool prints — they add interest without shouting.
Commit to the look: The best advice from stylists (and fashion commentators like Trinny) is confidence. If you lean into the print with conviction, it reads as intentional, not costume. Woman & Home
Limit competing prints: For now, let the animal motif be the star — skip loud florals or graphic geometrics in the same look.