Animal print is a popular design pattern in men’s and women’s fashion that resembles the coat of an animal or part of it. If you are interested in fashion then you should know about the types of animal print used in this industry.
The most popular form of this pattern is the leopard print with its distinct black-brown colour and the wildlife symbol of the leopard. Animal print is often considered a neutral colour and can be paired with any basic colour such as black, dark blue, white, red, and even pink.
15 Types Of Animal Print That Rule The Fashion World
A print is a pattern that is applied to a fabric and this print can be made from many materials. In fashion, animal prints are usually made from silk, cotton, or other fabric mediums. These specific types of fabric medium make it easier for the pattern to stand out on the material.
There are 15 popular types of animal print that you might not know about. You can find them on many different types of clothing such as coats, dresses and even on some shoes.
1. Leopard Print
The classic animal print fabric that gets its name from the leopard, which is native to land areas such as Africa and Asia. Leopard skin fabric prints are usually made from cotton or cotton-spandex mixes and range in colour from black to brown with white spots. It became popular in the 1930s thanks to the film Tarzan the Apeman; since then it’s been the most popular animal print.
2. Zebra Print
It became popular in the 1970s due to interest in world culture at that time and the print is very graphic. Zebra prints are made from cotton or cotton-spandex mixes and range in colour from black to brown with white stripes. These zebra fabric prints were developed by most high-end fashion designers as they can be paired with most colours.
3. Snake Print
Snake print is printed fabric in which the design is made with embossed scales similar to a real snake’s skin. The color can vary from tan, green, brown and black depending on the location of the print. It became popular in the 1980s when it was used for Levi’s jeans by designer Stephen Sprouse.
4. Tiger Print
Tiger print fabric prints are made from cotton or cotton-spandex mixes and range in colour from black to brown with grey stripes. The most common animal print fabrics are often paired with a complementary colour such as red. Since the 1970s tiger prints have come in unnatural colours.
5. Giraffe Print
The giraffe is an animal found in the wild of Africa and Asia. Giraffe skin fabrics are made from cotton or Cotton-spandex mixed with its distinctive pattern of brown patches on a lighter background, which was developed by most high-end fashion designers. It can be paired with any colour complementary to the colour of the spots and is often considered a neutral colour.
6. Emu Print
Emu is an animal native to Australia and is the second-largest bird in the world. The emu print fabric can be made from cotton or cotton-spandex mixes and ranges in colours such as blue, brown, black, and green with white emu spots.
7. Cheetah Print
The cheetah is a feline animal found in Africa and Asia. Cheetah skin fabric prints are made from cotton or cotton-spandex mixes and come in colours of tan with black spots, which resemble the cheetah’s coat. Similarly to the leopard print cheetah became popular in the 1930s thank to the film Tarzan the Apeman
8. Hippo Print
Hippo skin fabric prints are made from cotton or Cotton-spandex mixes and come in colours of brown with grey spots. It became popular for use as material for wallpapers, bedding and curtains during the early 1930s.
9. Tortoise Shell
Tortoiseshell fabric prints are made from fabrics with a distinctively textured surface. They come in colours of brown, green, and black with white spots. It has been in use since Ancient Greece and is still popular today. It is mainly used for accessories like belts, jewellery, glasses, etc.
10. Peacock Print
A rarer print that is associated with eccentricity and is used on garments and accessories. This print was greatly in fashion from 1894 to 1920. After 19858, when Japan opened its door to trade, peacocks prints and motifs started pouring in Europe, this started the trend of using this print on various items and created a big hit in the market.
11. Jaguar Print
Another feline animal found in the wild, the jaguar is a big cat species. Jaguar skin fabric prints are made from cotton or Cotton-spandex mixes and come in colours of brown with dark spots. It’s become popular today as it’s considered one of the most exotic, luxurious prints. Carrie Underwood wore a jaguar print dress at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
12. Hyena Print
Hyena is a carnivorous mammal found in Africa and Asia. Hyena skin fabric prints are made from cotton or Cotton-spandex mixed with its distinctive metallic sheen. It comes in colours of brown, gold, and silver with black spots. The print becomes popular when it’s paired with other animal prints such as zebra or leopard.
13. Crocodile Print
Crocodile skin fabric prints are made from cotton or Cotton-spandex mixes and come in colours of green, brown, and tan with black spots. The print is distinctive for its scales that resemble the crocodiles’ skin texture. It has been used in the past for making wallets, handbags, gun holsters, etc
14. Cow Print
A cow print fabric is a printed textile with a regular pattern of shapes resembling the hide of a cow. Cow print fabric prints can come in colours such as white, brown, black, and grey. The animal print was first introduced into modern fashion by Elsa Schiaparelli in 1937.
15. Dalmatian Print
Dalmatian is a breed of dog that originated in Croatia. Dalmatian print fabric prints are made with distinctive spots. It becomes popular for use as material for t-shirts, dresses, jackets, etc.
Types Of Animal Print – Conclusion
There are many types of animal print used in the textile industry. When combined with other prints, the animal print is the focal point of the outfit. Meant to make you look soft and sexy, this trend has been around for decades and doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere anytime soon.
The animal print fabric is often used in the manufacturing of accessories like handbags, shoes, and sunglasses to give them a distinct look. The animal print has been in vogue for decades now, thanks to Hollywood celebrities who have helped make it an integral part of their fashion statement.
Reference
- https://u.osu.edu/clotheslines/2018/11/16/the-history-behind-animal-prints/
- https://www.thezoereport.com/fashion/animal-print-fashion-trend-2021
- https://theartofdress.org/2015/02/27/revisiting-the-art-of-the-peacock-a-golden-age-fashion-fantasy-1894-1920-part-one/