After season upon season being dominated by leopard motifs, zebra and dalmatian prints have emerged as the strongest contenders within the animal print revival for the approaching Spring/Summer 2026 season. The appeal of these monochromatic patterns lies in their ability to merge graphic clarity with bold individuality, translating seamlessly across both statement and everyday dressing.
Data forecasts indicate a 17% rise in zebra print popularity just in the US alone, particularly amongst shoppers aged between 26 to 35 years- a demographic drawn to prints that feel modern yet nostalgic. At the same time, the resurgence of dalmatian spots underscores a shift towards playful minimalism, offering a more restrained alternative to the maximalist leopard.
At the recently concluded Paris and Milan runways, this transition was reflected via an elevated, directional lens. At Nina Ricci, the juxtaposition of snakeskin and polka dots created a dynamic surface tension, blending natural motifs with retro femininity, while MSGM presented a bold snakeskin coat dress in pink, reinforcing the ongoing fascination with tactile animal-inspired textures rendered in sharp, urban silhouettes. Meanwhile, Patrick McDowell explored the expressive potential of print through enlarged black-and-white dalmatian spots, offering a sculptural interpretation that felt graphic yet soft, bridging couture sensibility with youthful energy.
With snakeskin, crocodile and cow prints also gaining traction, and cow print in particular being dubbed the ‘It’ print of S/S ’26 with an 87% projected growth among US women, animal motifs continue their evolution towards a more refined, context-driven aesthetic.
This season, the focus shifts from overt exoticism to a sophisticated monochrome palette and bold surface play, allowing zebra and dalmatian patterns to emerge as the new symbols of confident, contemporary self-expression.
