The Anti-Minimalist Handbag That Looks More Expensive Than Calf Hair or Suede


With spring on the horizon, there will surely be an influx of fresh handbag trends to adopt. But possibly one of the most prominent trends isn't "new" at all; it's been around for some time: snakeskin. If fashion is a kingdom, animal prints, specifically snakeskin, have remained at the top of the chain for the better half of a century. However, we've seen python prints pervade every aspect of pop culture, from the spring 2025 runway shows to our social media feeds in every form imaginable—outerwear, footwear, and even handbags. The latter is one of the most compelling versions of this print trend, as it can make anything look more expensive. Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't admit that styling snakeskin can seem challenging because it leans more maximalist. Snakeskin purses, though? They're a different story.
Sure, we love suede handbags, but they're tough to keep clean. Yes, calf-hair bags are coming back, but if not styled right, they can appear cliché. Snakeskin purses are one of the few "maximalist" trends that can be effortlessly incorporated into everyone's wardrobe. Not only does this particular bag remain perennially relevant no matter the season, but snakeskin bags can be styled with everyday staples for every occasion. Not convinced yet? Ahead, we’ve done some hunting (figuratively, of course) to show you examples of the snakeskin handbag trend's continued relevance on the runway and in the wild through styling examples. Plus, we've rounded up a curation of some of the best snakeskin purses to buy for spring to prove our point further. We predict that snakeskin purses will slither their way back into your closet after you're done reading.
On the Runway
From Khaite to Ferragamo, the spring shows featured snakeskin purses, aplenty. Keep scrolling to see more examples of the handbag trend.
In the Wild
Snakeskin purses weren't just spotted on the spring runway, as they've also slowly taken over the street-style scene, too. Keep scrolling to see examples of how the fashion set is styling this handbag trend.
Shop Snakeskin Purses

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.
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