Animal print is hands-down one of the biggest fashion trends of the moment, with everything from classic leopard, zebra and snake to more niche deer, cow, giraffe and cheetah prints spotted (quite literally) all over the catwalks from London to Paris and Milan. But while luxury brands including Valentino, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, The Attico and Gucci were some of the principal proponents of the trend for Spring/Summer 2026, you don't need a designer budget to embrace exotic prints – and you don't need to be a maximalist, either.
The street style set is proof that opting for animal print footwear is the easiest way to dip your toe into the trend – especially for summer. Simply switch up your usual sandals or trainers for an animal print shoe, and your outfit will instantly be elevated to the height of chic.
Think: a white button-down shirt and denim jorts with a snake-print pump, a classic LBD with a zebra slingback, or even an everyday jeans and t-shirt ensemble playfully paired with a leopard-print ballerina. It really is as simple as that. And thankfully, our favourite high-street brands are on hand to make embracing the trend even easier – and more affordable, too.
As ever, Next is ahead of the curve with its classic almond-toe ballet flats, which have just been released in a stylish, satin-effect leopard print and will set you back a mere £28. Thanks to their comfort sole, they're the ultimate in easy, everyday footwear that you'll find yourself reaching for time and time again to add a pop of trending print to even the simplest of summer outfits.
Below, the best animal print shoes worth shopping now:
Next Leopard Forever Comfort® Almond Toe Ballet Flats
Next Leopard Forever Comfort® Almond Toe Ballet Flats
Reiss Lorena Leather Cow-Print Slingback Court Shoes
Reiss Lorena Leather Cow-Print Slingback Court Shoes
M&S Leather Buckle Animal Print Flat Sandals
M&S Leather Buckle Animal Print Flat Sandals
ASOS ASOS DESIGN loafers in leather cow print
ASOS ASOS DESIGN loafers in leather cow print
Reformation Inez Pump Dalmatian Haircalf
Reformation Inez Pump Dalmatian Haircalf
Mint Velvet Betty Leopard Print Leather Flip Flop Heels
Mint Velvet Betty Leopard Print Leather Flip Flop Heels
Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.
