I’m not sure if this makes me a bad fashion editor, but I’ll admit it: I often take more inspiration from the crowd gathered outside a fashion week venue than from the runway itself. And truthfully? I never feel bad about it. Street style is, after all, where the most wearable looks are spotted—it’s where trends feel lived-in and instantly adaptable to real life.
During last week's Copenhagen Fashion Week, the runways delivered a varied blend of Scandi minimalism and playful eccentricity, but the real magic for me was happening on the pavement. As I sifted through the hundreds of street style images post-shows, one detail kept jumping out—a unifying element threading through some of the week’s most stylish ensembles.
From zebra stripes to leopard spots, glossy snakeskin to painterly cowhide, animal-print shoes were everywhere. Heels, boots, mules and loafers—Copenhagen’s style set wore them all, and they wore them well. The city’s most fashion-forward guests trotted between shows in pairs that offered a wink of wildness to otherwise refined outfits.
Spotted in a myriad of outfits, I often saw the trend styled with relaxed denim, when animal prints add a playful pop without overpowering. Paired with breezy dresses, cotton skirts, or even micro shorts, they inject a little energy into every step. While leopard print might have been last year’s favourite, the scope has widened, and we're embracing the entire animal kingdom.
While animal print might feel daunting to some, I find in shoe form, it's far more approachable than head-to-toe prints. A classic pair of zebra-print slingbacks can liven up a neutral outfit, while snake-effect boots bring texture to a monochrome look. Even the boldest cow-print loafers feel grounded when the colour palette sticks to blacks, browns and creams.
With autumn on the horizon, this trend has come at the perfect time. While the styles sing with light cotton garments, they look all the more at home with richer items, including chunky knits, wide-leg trousers and engulfing coats.
Ever inspired by the Scandi style set, read on to find more styling inspiration below, and shop my edit of the best animal print shoes available to buy now.
Shop Animal Print Shoes and Discover More Styling Inspiration:
Style with an LDB to instantly lift your look.
Honestly, I would easily believe you if you told me these were designer.
Be quick! These are on their way to selling out.
Style these with denim or pair them with a sleek tailored pant.
The Mary Jane shoe trend isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
Style with fresh white stocks or wear these on their own.
I really can't see these staying in stock for long.
In my eyes, snake print boots are some of what a neutral—I'd style them with anything and everything.
This classic cut also comes in black leather and a zebra print design.
-
Forget Mules—*These* Are the Classic Anti-Flats L.A. It Girls Wear For Dinner at Giorgio BaldiGood food, great footwear.
-
FYI: Every Fashion Person Is Buying This Pretty Shoe Color Instead of Black Right NowCount us in.
-
This Just In: 7 Shoe Trends That Are In and 7 That Are Out for Fall 2025Are you taking notes?
-
Every Cool Dresser in Copenhagen Is Wearing This Elite Pre-Fall Shoe-and-Pant CombinationEasy and chic.
-
Scandi Style Forecast: The Top 4 Trends From the Copenhagen RunwaysHere's what to expect in 2026.
-
Copenhagen Street Style Is Elite RN—7 Trends I'm Unashamedly Adding to My WardrobeI'll be wearing them now and during the fall.
-
In Istanbul, J.Lo Wore a Matching Set With the Shoe Color Trend That's Guaranteed to Make Outfits Look RichMoney.
-
Not Mesh Flats, Not Suede Sneakers: The Elegant Shoe Trend Jackie O Would Wear With Wide-Leg Pants InsteadAs seen on the set of American Love Story.
