The Most Popular Animal Print of 2023 Has Arrived: Here Are 5 Ways to Wear It
If you're simultaneously obsessed with Wholesale Replica Bag micro-trends but too intimidated to test them out, you've come to the right place. This is Ways to Wear, a monthly series where editor Eliza Huber offers a dose of outfit inspiration centered around current trends that feel intriguing and overwhelming at the same time. Consider it your guide to actually wearing the coolest items of the moment, no matter how puzzling they might appear at first.
As someone who tests trends for a living, it's rare for one to stump me. Whether it's wearing underwear as pants on the streets of New York or trying a whale tail, I'll wear anything once—and probably a few more times after that. One of the only fashion trends to ever throw me is snakeskin. While I can wear a leopard-print bikini or a cow-print coat, something about snakeskin has always felt especially intimidating, making the print seem hard to style in a nonchalant way.
But when I noticed the print gathering momentum after spring/summer 2023 runway shows last September—it was especially prevalent in Khaite and 16Arlington's collections—I knew it was time to crack the code and figure out how to wear snakeskin right. Four items, five looks, and plenty of discarded combinations later, I can finally say I'm no longer intimidated by spring's fastest-growing print. In fact, I'm more than ready to embrace it. Prepare yourself for the same conclusion by scrolling down.
How snakeskin was styled on S/S 23 runways:
How I'm styling snakeskin in 2023:
A snakeskin belt is the easiest way to add the print to your wardrobe in a low-key manner. No matter how simple your outfit is, finishing it with a python-print belt will take it up a few dozen notches in five seconds or less. Just look what it did for the simple barrel-leg jeans and black top I'm wearing above.
Shop the look:
I've always loved a leather motorcycle jacket but never thought about expanding my collection to include new prints. Now that I think about it, every moto jacket I've owned has been black. But for the sake of this story, I ventured out of my comfort zone and chose a snake-print alternative for my latest addition, styling it with my go-to denim maxi skirt and a high-neck black tank. Whether it's with the outfit above or over a classic jeans-and-tee ensemble, this jacket has been surprisingly almost too easy to throw on.
Shop the look:
I love an everyday bag that goes with everything just as much as the next person, but sometimes only a statement purse will do the trick—especially when your outfit leans toward the plain side and needs something to liven it up. If and when that's the case, I suggest grabbing the snakeskin version of Staud's iconic Moon bag.
Shop the look:
There's almost nothing I rely on more sartorially than a really good coat. As someone who's never had the pleasure of living somewhere with perpetually good weather, I've long required them to not only keep me warm but also cover up my laundry-day outfits. So, when I stumbled across this floor-length faux-snakeskin coat at Nanushka's SoHo store the other day, I knew I had to test it out. My analysis: It's a keeper.
Shop the look:
The snakeskin belt trick doesn't work only with super-simple ensembles like jeans and a tank top. It's just as effective with suit pieces, a maxi dress, or a chic maxi skirt. Above, I paired it with a waistcoat and trousers that needed something in between to break up the monochrome look. It was just what the doctor ordered.
Shop the look:
Shop more snakeskin pieces:
Are you bored of wearing the same wedding-guest dresses over and over? Give this more exciting option a try.
Slip dresses are spectacular no matter what, but this one is especially enticing.
Consider me in love with this suit in every possible way.
Shop the matching Cancun Snake-Print Bikini Briefs ($131).
Next up: I'm Sorry, or You're Welcome—7 Print Trends That Will Define Spring Fashion
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joinedBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
-
Put Down the Boring Leather Tote—Every Stylish New Yorker Is Carrying This Colorful Bag Trend Instead
Spotted in London and the French Riviera, too.
-
I Proved It—Everyone Thinks These 39 Old Navy, Gap, and Zara Items Are Designer
Run and swipe.
-
Goodbye, Boring Basics—This Is the Elegant Trend New Yorkers Are Wearing With Tank Tops This Summer
Obsessed.
-
10 Mini Trends Everyone Is Already Wearing This Summer
Are you?
-
Boring Sandals Are So 2024—This Summer, Even Minimalists Are Playing Around With Fun Footwear
Beads, hardware, and more.
-
Dear, Everyone Who Hates Jorts—This Pretty Shorts Trend Is About to Take Over Summer 2025
How to style it like an NYC-based fashion editor.
-
The Perfect $16 Tank Top and More Zara Items I'm Texting Everyone I Know About
Elite finds.
-
The 30 Items That Will Define Style in Summer 2025
Gotta catch 'em all.