Let's Not Limit Ourselves to Just Leopard: These Are Fall 2026's Coolest Animal Prints

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Collage of women wearing animal prints for fall 2026.
(Image credit: @stylewithsoco; @hannahlovey; @christietyler)
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Every fall, I pull out my leopard pieces like clockwork—a coat, a pair of flats, maybe a scarf if I'm really feeling it. It's the one print that never feels like a risk, and I'll be wearing it for the rest of my life. No matter how many times it "comes back" into style, it never really leaves for me.

This season, though, I noticed something. The new arrivals are looking like a full-on zoo, and the most interesting street style outfits I saw during fashion month didn't include leopard at all. They included zebra, croc, snakeskin, and even a sweet little fawn spot or two. Consider this permission to keep your leopard and go a little wilder. Here are the animal prints I'm wearing this fall.

Croc

Sierra Mayhew wearing a croc-embossed handbag.

(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

I wore a croc handbag to Who What Wear's 20th anniversary party, and I'm calling it now: This is truly the print of the season. It feels like a big night out in the city, polished with a little bit of trouble. It also photographs beautifully, which never hurts.

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Zebra

Woman wearing a zebra-print dress and matching coat.

(Image credit: @stylewithsoco)

Zebra is for the night you want to be noticed without trying too hard. It has a downtown, after-dark energy, as if you came straight from a gallery opening and have no plans to go home early. It gets bonus points for being surprisingly easy with all black.

Snakeskin

Woman wearing a snakeskin jacket.

(Image credit: @hannahlovey)

If you're looking for a cool, slightly rock 'n' roll edge that feels so right for fall, it's going to be that snakeskin piece in your closet, the one you reach for when your outfit should say you have plans. In neutral tones, it works almost like a solid.

Tiger Print

Woman wearing a tiger-print skirt.

(Image credit: @juliaberolzheimer)

Tiger is leopard's louder, more confident cousin and is way too often overlooked. Think of it as late-'70s glamour, a corner booth, and a martini someone sent over. Bigger stripes, bigger personality, zero apologies.

Bambi

Woman holding a fawn-print clutch bag.

(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

This is the sweetest print of the season and honestly the one I'm most excited about. Fawn spots feel like a cozy weekend upstate, a fireplace, and a sweater you never want to take off. It's soft, a little whimsical, and so fun to wear.

Eel

Woman wearing an eel-embossed bag.

(Image credit: @monikh)

Eel skin is the pick for anyone who likes their animal print subtle. It has that "inherited from a chic aunt" feel. I recently tried a pair of shoes in this texture and have been obsessed ever since. It's an IYKYK situation. Most people won't, and that's half the fun.

Tortoiseshell

Christie Tyler wearing tortoiseshell glasses.

(Image credit: @christietyler)

Tortoiseshell is the gateway print for anyone who swears they don't do animal print. All warm browns and amber, it feels like the perfect thing to wear on a rainy afternoon in a bookstore café. The easiest way in is a claw clip.

Leopard

Woman wearing leopard pants.

(Image credit: @luciacuesta_)

Leopard is the reliable friend of the group. It still feels like a Saturday in your favorite neighborhood, coffee in hand, nowhere to be. We're not replacing it. We're just giving it some company this season.

Sierra Mayhew
Sierra Mayhew
Fashion Editor

Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of industry experience to the editorial team. Since joining in 2021, she has made her mark by blending luxury and accessible fashion, decoding runway trends, and curating must-have shopping lists. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra translates editorial expertise into viral social content, making fashion engaging for a new generation. Her unique perspective is rooted in her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.