Animal print lovers are in luck this season, as not only has leopard been officially declared a neutral by the fashion powers that be, but there's also an unexpected new kid (or, rather, calf...) on the block. Introducing the street style set's latest obsession: cow print.
Once the sole remit of cattle ranchers and Wild West cos-players, cow print is enjoying a cool-girl renaissance thanks to brands like Talia Byre, Acne, Munthe and Samsøe Samsøe, that have coated everything from handbags and heels to statement shearling coats in the animal's signature white and brown splotches. Even Dior layered a cow-inspired jacket over an evening dress for its Cruise 2024 collection, while Bottega Veneta recently reimagined its iconic Arco Intrecciato tote in the animal print.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
Read Next
This shouldn't come as a huge surprise: the Western aesthetic has been dominating for a few seasons already, and 'cowgirlcore' has been wholeheartedly embraced by everyone from Bella Hadid and Beyoncé to Daisy Edgar-Jones. So, it was only a matter of time before even this most humble of hides was given the high-fashion treatment, subsequently embraced by the high-street, and established as the trending print du jour.
We first saw hints of cow print cropping up outside and on the runways of last year's AW24 shows, but if the street style at the recent SS25 edition of Copenhagen Fashion Week is anything to go by, this is a trend set to dominate this season and beyond.
The secret to styling cow print for 2025? Avoid the straight-up cowgirl connotations by pairing a statement piece with an otherwise toned-down ensemble. Think everyday jeans and a jumper unexpectedly layered with COS' luxe cow-print shearling coat, oversize tailoring spiced up with Stories' cow-print loafers, or adding a pop of fun to a sleek, all-black outfit by way of a ponyhair cow-print bag (a vintage Fendi would be our top pick).
Or, if you prefer a bolder look, there are a good few cow-print co-ords out there that will do the trick – and extra points if you manage to nab something from Prada's iconic SS91 collection, too. However you choose to wear the trend, just avoid the temptation to moo.
These are our favourite cow-print pieces to shop now:
COS Funnel-Neck Shearling Coat
Duke + Dexter Wilde Cow Pony Penny Loafers
Fendi Vintage Ponyskin Baguette
Simone Rocha Brown Pointed Slingback Heels
Saks Potts Brown/White Cow Skirt
Roughly £320
Samsoe Samsoe Saylo Mini Bag
&Other Stories Cow-Print Loafers
Massimo Dutti Animal Print Hair-On Leather Bucket Bag
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
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.
