Trending How: Animal Prints

Hello again :3 (That emoticon doesn't translate well, but oh well)

As they somehow always seem relevant, I really wanted to talk about Animal Prints! In everyone's "Trend Predictions" for 2026, I keep seeing deer/doe print... but that has kinda been a thing for a minute at this point, so I'm not sure what they're predicting... \

But regardless, ANIMAL PRINTS!!

When did they start, really??

Why does their popularity cycle??

Does your favorite say something about you???

Many questions, and I intend to share answers!

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When did humans first start seeking out animal prints? -A Brief History Overview

Throughout history, humans have been wearing animal pelts, with some cultures believing that doing so would give them the power of the animal, such as in Zulu culture in Southern Africa. They were also seen as a symbol of power, with Roman Emperors and Egyptian Pharaohs donning the coats of once-powerful beasts.

They are even prevalent in Mythology, with the god Dionysus wearing a leopard pelt, along with Seshat, the Egyptian goddess of wisdom.

Moving on with history, they continue to be seen as wealth and luxury. Napoleon sparked a craze in France for fur coats and rugs. These were reserved for the rich as they were incredibly expensive and difficult to obtain. Within the 1930s, animal prints began growing in popularity as well. They were easier to produce with the use of factories and were less expensive than furs.

The 1932 film Tarzan the Ape Man was one of the largest movies at the time. And with the movie's leads, Johnny Weissmuller,Tarzan, and Maureen O’Sullivan, Jane, both being adorned in animal print for the movie, it caught the audience's eye. It was exotic, exciting, and new. Leopard, cheetah, and jaguar prints were especially popular at this time, being printed onto scarves, coats, dresses, etc.

Christian Dior brought print to the same level as their fur counterparts in his 1947 collection, announcing, "If you are fair and sweet, don't wear it." Enforcing the notion of leopard print being a 'mature' or 'sensual' print.

By the 60s and 70s, animal print had expanded beyond the big cats. With snake, zebra, and giraffe coming onto the scene. This also marked a shift in the narrative around animal print. No longer just for the rich and famous, prints and fur had made their way down as a way of being 'wild and free.' It was very popular among hippies. And so began the faux fur movement. This eventually led to the heavy stigma around real fur we see today, driven by the animal rights movement. In the 70s, punks and even glam rockers also adapted the animal print. Turning the prior connotations of social and economic power into individual empowerment and expression, using the sexual connotations behind leopard/cheetah print in particular to create a message.

This fluctuated for the next 40 years, dying down in the 80s, getting more popular (in a slightly "trashy" way) in the 90s, back and booming in the 2000s, and outcast again in the 2010s. (If any of you remember Justice and their neon animal print everything).

In the 20s so far, it seems as if animal print is gaining popularity year by year. COVID had everyone back in cheetah print and even zebra, posting with an oversaturated filter. But the print I have been seeing the most of, especially in the past 1-2 years, is a relatively new one. Deer Print! While "trend forecasters" claim that this is going to blow up in 2026, it really started to gain lots of popularity around early-mid 2025 and has been filtering through department stores since.

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Why is deer trending right now?

Deer are associated with the whimsical, feminine, and outdoors life, and with all of these being large topics online and socially, it makes sense that individuals wish to have a pattern that they feel represents and encompasses these notions. In the past year, there has been a call for people to "bring back their whimsy," a wish for weirdness, shameless self-expression, fun, and originality.

But on the flip side, with conservatism being on the rise, the deer is known to be a very

meek, quiet, and docile animal, which in some cases can carry a subconscious message through clothing and patterns of the societal shift to how women "should act" and what it may mean to be feminine. Not to mention, fawns have white spots and tend to grow out of them when they age, around 3-6 months (unfortunately, nearly everything popular can be related back to the pedophilic standards that society has), not all fawns do, and a small percentage do keep their spots into adulthood, though.

This is not to say that I don't like it, or that it is wrong to enjoy this print. It is beautiful, and I have seen so many people be so creative with it!

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Do other prints have meanings? /What draws people to certain prints?

Zebra-

With zebra's stripes being as unique as humans' fingerprints, this print represents their one-of-a-kind nature and individuality. The sharp contrast between black and white is also a very bold statement, relating to the bravery that zebras represent.

Cheetah-

Speed, grace, adaptability. One of the fastest animals alive, cheetah print is representative of grace and typically considered a higher-class print. Cheetahs are also known to be social creatures, especially males, who often hunt in groups of 3-4. You can also find many videos of them purring and chirping! (It's super cute) This print is often mistaken for leopard print (a huge pet peeve of mine), but I can assure you they are NOT the same. (cheetah is these more spot-like ones)

Leopard-

One of the oldest animal prints there is. Used by royalty and when portraying certain gods, leopard print is associated with power, fertility (referring to more than just childbirth, but more similar to abundance), and mystery. As leopards are a very rare animal to actually see and are one of only 4 big cats that have the ability to roar. They are solitary, highly adaptable, very territorial, and extremely powerful creatures. (I HAVE BEEN SEEING THESE SHORTS EVERYWHERE)

Snow Leopard-

Fun fact! Snow leopards are more closely related to tigers than they are to leopards! They form a "sister group," meaning they shared a direct common ancestor, although both snow leopards and leopards are believed to belong to the Panthera genus, along with lions, tigers, and panthers. (They are my favorite animal, so I am going to share too much information about them, sorry not sorry). But snow leopard print typically represents freedom, resiliency, power, mysticism, and nobility.

Tiger-

One of the most powerful animals and owner of one of the most powerful bites, tiger print represents power, strength, confidence, and wildness. They have a vast range of habitats and in many Asian cultures were used as a symbol of strength and protection. Similar to the animal, it is seen as a very aggressive print.

Cow-

How could anyone forget the cow print epidemic of 2020? With the unfortunate popularity of 'Strawberry cow,' the satirical cover of Mitski's "Strawberry Blonde" and Doja Cat's "Bitch I'm a Cow," cow print had a hard revival. It is seen as pastoral, stable, nurturing, and trendy.

Snake-

Very common for bags, shoes, and belts, snake print is a very old pattern. It is typically seen as slightly edgy, seductive, transformative, and mysterious. Very elegant creatures, snakes are often thought of as very secretive creatures, sometimes untrustworthy, but I think they are misunderstood and misrepresented in the media...

Crocodile-

Very similar to snake, crocodile print is typically seen on shoes, bags, and accessories. Crocodile print is another very 'bold' pattern and is often used as a statement piece. It can also come in many colors, as it is usually more of a texture than just a print. It is representative of power (physical and mental), instinctual, calculating, and resilience.

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I definitely find the circular pattern of these prints going in and out of style super interesting because it is typically not just a solo print trending, but one gains sudden popularity and the rest follow! With the sudden fame of deer print, I am very curious to see what other animal prints get popularized.

What do you think? Personally, I think a whale shark pattern or some sort of sea creature would be super interesting, even a bird!

Thank you so much for reading!!

Byeeeeeeeeee!!