The Deer-Print Trend Is Here to Replace Leopard for Winter

Animal patterns are by no means new in the fashion world, but this season’s deer-print trend feels decidedly fresh. Leopard, zebra, and cheetah have ebbed and flowed in popularity for decades. But Bambi spots? The pattern hasn’t really enjoyed a moment in the sun—until now. With luxury fashion houses and contemporary brands alike homing in on so-called Bambi print this winter, all signs point to it as the moment’s It print.

Our favorite deer-print piecesThe Casual Jacket

Gap × Sandy Liang Spotted Vegan-Fur Half-Zip Pullover

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The Statement Jeans

Wrangler High-Waist Bootcut Jeans

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The Occasion Dress

SRG Miriam Silk Dress

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The Cozy Jacket

TYATVS Deer-Print Faux-Fur Jacket

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The Chic Loafers

ATP Atelier Airola Cannella Printed Cerbiatto Loafers

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On Tory Burch’s fall-winter runway, the fawn motif appeared in various forms, from structured jackets to long-sleeve midi-dresses. Katie Holmes wore the latter design in March, a month after it debuted on the catwalk. Brandon Maxwell, too, was ahead of the curve this season, sending a model down the runway in a black-and-white deer-print maxidress featuring a high neck and a body-hugging silhouette—a look (available below) ideal for holiday parties.

Things only snowballed from there. When Sofia Richie Grainge launched her label, SRG, in October, she included a fawn-print jacket and a sleeveless maxidress in its inaugural collection. (She even wore the top in her recent pregnancy announcement pics.) And perhaps most notably, the much anticipated Gap x Sandy Liang collaboration featured a viral furry fawn-print jacket, which, much like the rest of the line, sold out almost immediately after its release last month. (Luckily it’s now back in stock.)

Katie Holmes in the Tory Burch dress.Taylor Hill

Tory Burch on the runway.Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Why the sudden fascination with fawn print? “Animal print has always had a strong pull, but the usual suspects, such as leopard and zebra, have been in rotation for so long,” says Maj-La Pizzelli, cofounder and creative director of accessories brand ATP Atelier, which got in on the deer-print trend with loafers and handbags in its latest collection. “With Bambi, there was suddenly something that felt new.”

Vintage seller Lucia Zolea believes there’s even more to the allure. “Deer themselves bring a sense of calm, wonder, and beauty, and I think people feel that when they see the print,” says the Bambi-print fanatic, who resonates with the touch of whimsy the pattern provides. “I sourced [a deer] coat, and in the interior pocket, there was a matching hat—my audience loved it!”

Needless to say, the deer-print trend is on course to reign over the animal kingdom this season, and on the heels of horse-girl fall, no less. While we wouldn’t suggest going so far as to channel Audrey Hepburn—she adopted a fawn, Pippin, in 1958—we do suggest accessories, outerwear, and more.

Our deer-print trend editIf you’re looking to make a big sartorial impact, a coat is an easy way to road-test the trend. It’s a statement but won’t overpower the rest of your look. (If leopard counts as a neutral, surely Bambi print must too?) Smaller add-ons, like a belt or pair of loafers, are subtler but offer something timeless and easy to toss on year-round. Our take: You can’t go wrong with a fawn-print dress for a unique look for the office or a special occasion. Style it with red heels and a swipe of red lipstick, and you’ll make a major impact.

TYATVS Deer-Print Faux-Fur Jacket

Wrangler High-Waist Bootcut Jeans

Gap × Sandy Liang Spotted Vegan-Fur Half-Zip Pullover

H&M Fuzzy Skirt

ATP Atelier Airola Cannella Printed Cerbiatto Loafers

Ancient Greek Sandals Slippers

Frankies Bikinis Bloom Minidress

Avec Les Filles Faux-Fur Shirt Jacket

ASOS Threadbare Faux-Fur Jacket

Tory Burch Viscose Shirtdress

Petit Moments Bambi Belt

BDG Kayla Low-Rise Pants

Mango 100% Leather Fur Jacket

Cider Faux-Fur Deer-Print Miniskirt

SRG Miriam Silk Dress

Brandon Maxwell Camille Dress