Is Deer Print the New Leopard?

By Sophia Wheway

Fashion loves a pattern switch. When something gets too obvious, too loud, too everywhere, taste quietly moves on. Right now, that shift looks a lot like deer print.

Leopard has ruled for years. It’s the ultimate “hot girl” print — bold, chaotic, instantly recognisable. But as with anything that becomes ubiquitous, leopard has started to feel predictable. Deer print, by contrast, feels strange, softer, and slightly ironic. Which, in 2025, makes it perfect.

From Sexy to Subtle

Leopard is about impact. It walks into the room before you do. Deer print doesn’t announce itself the same way. It’s calm, a little uncanny, and reads more as an inside reference than a statement. If leopard says confidence, deer print says taste.

This shift mirrors a wider change in how people are dressing. Less performance, more quiet intention. The outfits aren’t trying to be sexy in an obvious way — they’re trying to be interesting.

The Rise of the Odd Print

Deer print sits comfortably in a world of fashion that’s obsessed with the slightly off. Think woodland-core, indie sleaze’s softer revival, and the strange nostalgia of early Tumblr aesthetics. It feels thrifted, almost accidental, like something you’d find once and never see again.

That rarity matters. Leopard used to feel dangerous. Now it feels safe. Deer print still carries risk — will people get it? Do you care if they don’t? That’s where the appeal lies.

Aesthetic, But Ironic

A deer-print skirt paired with a beat-up hoodie. A fitted top styled with flats and messy hair. The key is contrast. Deer print works best when you refuse to romanticise it too hard. Style it wrong on purpose. Make it feel casual, lived-in, and slightly undone.

That irony is what keeps it from becoming costume-y. It’s not about looking whimsical or “soft.” It’s about wearing something unexpected and acting like it’s normal.

So, Is Deer Print Replacing Leopard?

Not exactly. Leopard doesn’t disappear — it hibernates. It’ll be back louder, sexier, and more aggressive, like it always is. Deer print isn’t a replacement so much as a reaction.

It’s for people who still love animal print, but want something quieter. For people who care more about cultural fluency than trend participation. For people who’d rather be early than obvious.

The verdict: Deer print is the new leopard if you’re bored of being seen.If you still want chaos, leopard will always be waiting.

Our top Deer Print Picks: