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If leopard is a neutral, then so is cow print — and the best part is that there's not just one answer for how to style cow print. Over the past few months, cow print has been slowly but surely claiming the top stylish spot of animal prints that are en vogue, but unlike leopard or cheetah, which are a surefire way to make a statement, cow print also leaves room for subtleties.
Like any animal print, the main thing to take into account when thinking of ways to incorporate cow print into your wardrobe is to always strive to make it look chic and not costumey. Start with a little accessory or go all the way with a bold moment, but always pay attention to the bigger picture before stepping out the door.
Another great thing about cow print is that it has the ability to blend itself into an array of classics and basics, making for a perfect textural addition, whether it's winter, summer, or anything in between. If you are still stuck, below, we looked at the street styles of the world and combined eight easy tricks to teach you how to style cow print like a pro — with shopping suggestions to boot.
1. Make it the star
Whether you go for a cow print coat/jacket or cow print pants, the easiest way to style cow print is to make it the star of the show. Having the focal point of your outfit be a texture — whether literally or just visually — will add an extra layer of sophistication to a 'fit, allowing you to both get playful with other pops of colors and even other textures or stick to basics.
2. Go bold with a full look
If you are team all or nothing, pairing cow print with more cow print is the way to push the envelope — whether you opt for a proper full look of cow print on cow print or just coordinate the key elements of your 'fit, like matching your jacket to your shoes.
3. Anchor it down with matching neutrals
For all the quiet luxury stans out there, anchoring down cow print accents with neutrals is the way to go when styling your statement pieces. Look at the hues of your cow print and try to match them with complementing pieces, whether it's summer or winter. Of course, browns and blacks will be the easiest but don't neglect creams and beiges if you still want to stand out a little more. Just remember: pants, bags, and shoes.
4. Amp it up with clashing prints and textures
Who says you can only have one textural element in a 'fit? If you want to take your cow print styling to the next level, add some complementing (and even clashing) prints and textures into the mix via faux shearling and fur.
5. Go bold with a pop of color
Especially when the weather is warmer, styling cow print with bold colors will always add an edge to an outfit. Whether you try to complement the shades of your cow print (opting for red-browns and oranges) or completely mix it up (maybe going for green and blue instead), the pop of color will make the statement print stand out even more prominently.
6. Bag it up
Simple but effective: you can tap into the cow print trend by just adding a cow print bag to your rotation — whether you opt for a big, everyday tote or a daintier evening purse.
7. Hit the ground running with shoes
Similarly to bags, shoes are also a simple and easy way to participate in the cow print trend. If you want a chicer option, go with heeled boots. For a more casual take, go for mules or sneakers. For something in between, loafers and ballet flats are your best friends.
8. When in doubt, accessorize
If you are neither a bag nor a shoe person, there are still other ways to accessorize with cow print — whether it's a clutch, a bucket hat, a belt, a scrunchie, or even a phone case! There's no such thing as too little if you do it with intention.
