Best animal print and motif dresses to wear this winter

Street style wearing Ganni dress

Credit: Getty

Stylist Loves


Best animal print and motif dresses to wear this winter

By Harriet Davey

5 years ago

From Zara’s zebra dress to Ganni’s all-over horse print – we’ve found the animal-inspired dresses you’ll want to wear this season, and beyond. 

The day tends to start with one all important decision: do I wear a hoodie or a sweater? At this point in lockdown 3.0, it’s hard to know what is actually classed loungewear anymore. Our trusty, comfy clothes have had more air time over the last year than 95% of our wardrobe. And although occasion dresses can stay firmly at the back of the wardrobe (for now) there’s one easy dress style worth getting on board. It’s a fun one, too.  

We’re all familiar with animal print – from classic leopard and zebra to python and even cow – but the new trend we’re coveting at the moment takes the entire animal shape and repeats it across the clothing instead. Welcome to the animal motif dresses. Wondering how to wear this cute trend as an adult? Look no further.

The Whistles stallion dress

Credit: Whistles

The trick is to stick to a design that features animals all over, instead of just a loan ranger – this simple trick puts the look firmly on the grown up end of the animal motif spectrum. The style of dress you opt for will also make a huge difference. Forget A-line, it’s all about sleek midi dresses, smocks and timeless slips. Keeping to neutral shades of navy, cream, beige and black is a safe bet. 

Now the how to’s are out of the way, here are the dresses that will make you want to put your joggers to one side in favour of a frock.

Shop animal motif dresses

Ganni horse dress

Ganni horse dress

Say hey to the horse print dress the #GanniGirls are loving. The ruffle neck, the horse print, the dropped hem – so dreamy. Make it work for winter with flat lace-up boots and a fuzzy teddy coat. 

Shop Ganni ruffle-neck horse print dress at Matches, £215

BUY NOW

Whistles horse dress

Whistles horse dress

Managing to make a galloping horse print look timeless, the high neck, universally flattering midi style with long sleeves makes this style the winter hero item we didn’t know we needed. 

Shop stallion print dress at Whistles, £249

BUY NOW

Zara zebra dress

Zara zebra dress

On paper, a silky dress with zebras on doesn’t sound like a wearable item but when you see it, you’ll completely understand. This midi comes with a belt attached so you don’t even have to think about how to style it. 

Shop printed satin dress at Zara, £49.99

BUY NOW

Object bee dress

Object bee dress

All hail the comfiest dress around: the smock. The floaty fabric and loose-fit shape means you can throw it on at any time. Everyone will be buzzing (sorry) to wear this bee print style with tights and chunky boots. 

Shop Object smock dress in bee print at Asos, £65

BUY NOW

Hobbs swan dress

Hobbs swan dress

Monochrome is key for spring/summer 2021 so why not get ahead of the trend with this dress you can wear already? Try it with sleek ankle boots and a slick of red lippie if you’re feeling fancy. 

Shop Hobbs Eliana swan print dress at John Lewis & Partners, £69 (previously £149)

BUY NOW

The Kooples leopard dress

The Kooples leopard dress

Switch the usual leopard printed dress for all over leopards. The Kooples have shown how to do to so with this mini dress destined to be worn with ankle boots. 

Shop short black dress with leopards, £157.50 (previously £315) 

BUY NOW

Olivia Von Halle dress

Olivia Von Halle snake dress

Slip into this cami dress for winter by layering it over a high neck top, and wearing with chunky boots and a cosy puffer coat. Trust us, it works. 

Shop Olivia Von Halle Bibi midi dress at Net-a-Porter, £430

BUY NOW

MCQ Alexander McQueen dress

McQ Alexander McQueen bird dress

A jersey dress is one of those throw-on-anytime styles you need in your wardrobe right now. Try this one out with thick treat boots and an ankle length puffer coat. 

Shop MCQ Alexander McQueen printed dress at The Outnet, £72 (previously £144)

BUY NOW

Opening image: Getty

Images: courtesy of brands

Share this article

undefined

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.