Animal Print Sneakers: Leopard, Cow Print, and Pony Hair

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The surprising thing about an animal-print sneaker is that it behaves like a neutral. It looks like the hardest shoe to style, yet it is among the easiest: leopard print works with black, denim, camel and grey - in other words, with almost everything you already own.

Leopard, cow, pony hair: three different things

  • Leopard - the most striking of the three, in camel and brown tones. It is the one that makes a shoe the statement piece of the outfit, so the rest should be kept understated.
  • Cow - black and white, and precisely for that reason more neutral than it looks: they are the two colours that work with everything. It is the print that is easiest to wear to the office.
  • Pony hair - it is not a print but a texture: the short hair changes the way light falls on the upper. From a distance it reads as a solid colour; up close, it does not. It is the most understated of the three.

Which silhouettes

Most of the selection is Adidas Originals, and not just one model: Samba OG in leopard-print, cow-print and pony-hair Bambi versions, Handball Spezial, Superstar II, Gazelle Lo Pro, SL 72 OG and the Breaknet Platform, the only one with a high sole.

Alongside these, you will find Flower Mountain with pony-hair inserts on the Yamano 3, D.A.T.E. with zebra and leopard prints, and a few platform-soled models for those looking for a little extra height.

The only styling rule

One animal print at a time. A leopard-print shoe with a leopard-print bag does not double the impact; it cancels it out - they become two competing elements instead of one that stands out. If the shoe has an animal print, keep the rest in solid colours.

The other thing we say in the boutique: if you are unsure, start with cow print. It is black and white, so technically it does not add another colour to the outfit, and it eases you into the idea without committing you to brown.

Frequently asked questions

Are animal-print sneakers difficult to style?

Less than they seem. Leopard print uses camel and brown tones, which are neutrals, while cow print is black and white. In practice, both work with denim, black, grey and camel. The only real rule is not to wear two animal prints in the same outfit.

What is the difference between pony hair and animal print?

Pony hair is a short-haired texture, so it changes with the light and from a distance reads almost like a solid colour. A print is applied to the leather and remains defined at any distance. Pony hair is more understated; a print is more striking.

How are they cleaned?

On printed leather models, simply use a soft, barely damp cloth. Do not use water on pony hair or suede: use a soft brush in the direction of the hair and, for stains, a dedicated dry-cleaning eraser. Before the first wear, apply protective spray to both.

Are they suitable for winter too?

Yes, and it is actually the season when they look best: animal print works beautifully with dark tones and heavier fabrics. Pony hair and suede do suffer in wet weather, however, so they are best worn on dry days or with a good protective treatment.

Where else to look

Where to look next

The animal print runs across several models: if you arrived here from a Samba, also explore the Samba in every colour and the Adidas Originals sneakers, where you will find Handball Spezial, Gazelle and Campus in the same prints. The complete brand selection is available in Adidas Originals; if you are comparing different labels, the women's sneakers selection brings them all together.