Animal print and gothic fashion might feel like two very different aesthetics at first glance—one bold and wild, the other sombre and dark. But combined thoughtfully, they can create a striking, confident look.
While gothic style is historically deep and dark, drawing its inspirations from the punk and the Victorian era, throwing a splash of colour and texture to the look can add additional depth and edge.
In this post, we share tips on how to style animal print with gothic style in ways that feel cohesive, edgy, and wearable. Whether you’re working with leopard, zebra, snake, or other prints, these will help you merge your wild side with your dark side.
Choose the Right animal print base.
Not all animal prints will suit a gothic palette. Here’s how to pick wisely:
- Stick with darker colour versions: For instance, choose black + brown leopard print (rather than bright tan), or grayscale zebra.
- Go for distressed, muted, or washed‑out prints: A faded or “worn” animal print feels more gothic than vibrant, glossy ones.
- Select the right scale: A large, bold leopard print can dominate the look; sometimes a subtler, smaller print is easier to balance with gothic elements.
- Prefer exotic prints with a moody edge: Snake, python, or even dark tiger prints can lean more mysterious.
These choices allow the animal print to complement your gothic palette instead of clashing with it.
Accessories & Accents
Accessories can make or break and outfit, use them to incorporate print without it dominating.
- Snake earrings, bat brooches, claw rings, belts with reptile embossing.
- Edge details: spikes, studs, chains, black metals.
- Footwear: boots in faux snake or crocodile patterns, animal-print socks peeking out.
- Makeup/hair: smoky eyes, bold eyeliner, dark lips, teased or textured hair to match the wildness of the prints.
Outfit Ideas
- A black leather jacket with subtle snake-print sleeves, paired with a chiffon skirt and high boots.
- A wolf-print mesh top layered over a dark corset and paired with ripped trousers.
- Animal print scarves or wraps in muted tones, draped over black coats or cloaks.
- Printed tights or leggings (leopard or snake) under a gothic dress or shorts.
- A leopard print corset with black jeans.
- Zebra or leopard print nails to add a subtle touch to the look.
Fusing animal print and gothic style creates a trend on its own. The boldness of the prints along with the dark, moody essence of gothic fashion complement each other perfectly. Don’t be afraid to break trend and add some colour.