Not Snakeskin, Not Croc—These Two Underrated Animal Prints Are Quietly Staging a Fashion Coup

Every season, one or two animal prints inevitably become the favorites, and it’s usually leopard, snakeskin, or croc—or all three. Now and then, cow print garners attention, as does zebra print and lizard skin. But right now, a far more under-the-radar pair of animal prints is on the rise, and the two are proving to be far chicer than any we’ve seen in some time. Those lesser-known prints? Eel and ostrich, two exotic leathers that have recently caught the attention of the fashion world, and as a result, are quietly staging a coup. Sorry to all your other animal prints, but these two are heading to the top of every wishlist this season.

I first took notice of eel print when Fendi included a bevy of styles made of the leather in its F/W 25 show back in February, including a brown-and-black chevron-pattern dress and skirt that had a matching pair of boots and bag. At the re-see, I probably took 100 photos of the pieces, obsessed with how unique the print was. Since then, I’ve noticed it used at Khaite, Ferragamo, and The Row, as well as more affordable brands like J.Crew, Reformation, and Massimo Dutti, using a mix of faux and genuine leather that’s been embossed to look like eel.