How to style AW18's major animal print trend like a pro

Animal print is one of this season's most wearable trends and we've edited the hottest zebra, leopard, snake and tiger prints for you to wear.

(Image credit: Rex)

Animal print is one of those fashion trends that never really goes away, however it has to be said that for AW18, it's bigger and better than ever. This summer might have been all about the Realisation Par leopard print skirt, however this autumn is all about literally every other wild print.

From western-style snake print boots to luxe faux leather trousers, see-through cheetah print blouses to midi zebra print shirt dresses, there is a print to suit all tastes, and despite appearances, it really is one of the most wearable trends for the new season.

There is the bold approach of course - think snake print trousers, matching boots and a tiger print blouse - but there are also styling options for the more minimalist amongst you. We're big fans of a snake print tunic worn over cropped denim pants, and teamed with a black velvet mule. Oh so chic.

We've edited the best designer and high street animal print buys below. Happy shopping. Before scrolling, make sure to check out the latest Mytheresa discounts.

Animal print dress

A chic animal print dress is a great way to wear the trend, the grown-up way. Team it with 70s style leather boots for the office, and for a more relaxed feel, wear it over a roll-neck, jeans and with trainers at the weekend. Go one step further and succumb to a vivid 80s style colour, as seen at Rixo and Kitri.

Shop now: RIXO LONDON Lucy open-back ruffled printed silk midi dress for £330 from Net-A-Porter

Shop now: ZEBRA ASYMMETRIC KNITTED DRESS for £99 from Warehouse

Animal print skirt

If you loved the Realisation Par silk midi skirt, then you'll love the array of animal print skirts on offer for autumn. Wear a silk maxi skirt with a cashmere knit for a luxe feel, or try accessorising a faux snake print denim skirt with a denim shirt.

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Animal print shirt

This is one of the more subtle ways to dip into the trend, as you can easily cover a sheer leopard print shirt with a corduroy blazers or even oversized mohair jumper. The key is to play around with textures.

Shop now: Dora shirt for £295 from Tabitha Webb

Animal print boots

Ankle boots aren't going anywhere this season, so you might as well tick two trend boxes in one and invest in an animal print pair. If you're playing it safe, then a leopard print kitten heel will never go out of style, however at the moment, we're in love with western style boots, preferably in faux snake print or croc. Yee-haw.

Shop now: Marcel Snake Effect Ankle Boots for £92 from Topshop

Shop now: Leopard boots for £376 from Rachel Comey

Animal print trainers

For the casual dresses amongst you, trainers have had a bit of an update thanks to subtle animal print nods. Wear them with a frilly dress for the ultimate hi-lo look.

Shop now: Zebra print trainers for £25 from Superga

Animal print trousers

Shop now: JEANS ZW PREMIUM HIGH WAIST SNAKE PRINT for £29.99 from Zara

You'll be hard pressed to beat Zara's grey snake print jeans for the perfect animal trouser, however here are few other options for good measure. Team with a crips white shirt and mules.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.