If you have looked at any fashion mood board, scrolled through your feed, or even just walked outside recently, you already know what is going on. The Western trend is absolutely taking over everything this year. And I am not just talking about wearing a cowboy hat to a music festival. I mean incorporating real, rustic, beautiful Western elements into our everyday street style.

But here is the thing that is confusing everybody right now. The prints.

I was literally just staring at my own closet last weekend. I realized I have slowly accumulated a small zoo of animal prints. It is actually kind of funny. I had a pile of leopard, a stack of snake print, and some cow print pieces all fighting for my attention. It got me thinking about which of these prints is actually the most wearable, which one holds the most value for your wardrobe, and which one you should maybe avoid if you don’t want to look like you are wearing a costume.

So, I decided to do a massive breakdown for you guys. Whether you are just dipping your toes into the Western aesthetic or you are already fully obsessed, you need to know how to navigate these patterns.

Here is my official, unfiltered ranking of the big three Western prints: Cow, Leopard, and Snake. I am breaking down exactly how to style them, what works, and what definitely does not. Let’s get right into it!

About the author:

Hi, Clara here, who loves rodeos and I show my favorite cowgirl outfits, western nail designs and line-dancing fashion - and everything in between. All content on Elozura originates from actual rodeos and the rural environment where I grew up in. 🤠✨

Number 3: Snake Print (The Edgy Wildcard)



Okay, coming in at the bottom of the top three is snake print. Now, please do not come for me! I actually really love snake print. But we have to be honest with ourselves here. Out of all the Western prints, this is absolutely the hardest one to pull off without looking a little bit dated.

Snake print has this very specific, edgy energy. It leans a bit more rock and roll than traditional Western. When it is done right, it looks incredibly expensive and high-fashion. But when it is done wrong? It just looks messy.

I learned this the hard way a few years ago. I bought these fully printed, tight snake print pants. I thought I was going to look so cool. I wore them to a family cookout back home, paired with a black tank top. My younger cousin took one look at me and asked why I was dressed like a lizard shedding its skin. I was so embarrassed! I literally went inside and changed into jeans. That was the day I realized that snake print is way too overwhelming in large doses.

The secret to snake print is treating it purely as an accent texture, not a main fabric.

How to actually wear Snake Print:

  • Keep it to the accessories: A pointed-toe snake print boot peeking out from under some wide-leg dark denim is stunning. It gives you that Western edge without taking over the outfit.
  • Stick to natural tones: Do not buy neon green or bright red snake print. It looks cheap. Stick to natural greys, browns, and blacks.
  • Mix it with soft fabrics: Because the print is so harsh and geometric, you need to balance it out. Wear a snake print belt over a really soft, chunky oversized knit sweater. The contrast is gorgeous.

Number 2: Leopard Print (The Classic “Neutral”)




Taking the solid second place spot is the absolute classic: Leopard print. I know what some of you are thinking. Is leopard print actually Western? Yes, it absolutely is! It has always been a staple in Southwestern style, especially when you mix it with the right elements.

The greatest thing about leopard print is that it basically acts as a neutral. You can mix it with almost any color. But right now, we are moving away from the loud, “mob wife” leopard styling and bringing it into a much more relaxed, earthy space.

I always think of my auntie when I see this trend done perfectly. She has dressed the exact same way since the late 90s, and suddenly she is the most trendy person I know. She has this amazing, slightly faded leopard print cardigan. She wears it thrown over a simple white t-shirt, a pair of worn-in Levi’s, and she layers on all this incredible heavy silver and turquoise jewelry.

That is the exact vibe we are going for. The leopard print adds warmth, but the silver jewelry and the denim cool it down and make it feel very grounded and authentic.

Leopard is a very busy pattern, so you have to give it room to breathe. If you wear a leopard print skirt, keep everything else super minimal. You want the print to look effortless, not loud.

How to master the Leopard Western look:

  • Matte fabrics only: Avoid shiny leopard print at all costs. It looks incredibly tacky. You want your leopard print to be on matte cotton, denim, or a really soft brushed wool.
  • Pair it with turquoise: Trust me on this one. The warm browns and blacks of the leopard print mixed with a pop of bright blue turquoise jewelry is the ultimate cool-girl Western combination. It looks so intentional.
  • The “Leopard pant” moment: A straight-leg leopard print jean is actually a massive trend right now. Wear it with a crisp, oversized white button-down shirt and some black loafers. It is the perfect mix of tailored and wild.

Number 1: Cow Print (The Ultimate Western Statement)



And here we are at the number one spot. The absolute king of the Western trend this year is Cow Print. I am so deeply obsessed with this print right now it is not even funny.

Why is cow print ranking higher than leopard and snake? Because it perfectly captures the fun, playful side of the Western aesthetic while still being surprisingly easy to wear. Unlike leopard, which is very busy, or snake, which is very detailed, cow print is bold and graphic. It is usually just two colors – black and white, or brown and white. That makes it incredibly easy to color-block and style with things you already own.

I had my massive cow print awakening about two months ago. I was digging through this dusty vintage shop on a weekend trip. I found this real calf-hair cow print vest. It was men’s, super boxy, and honestly a little bit ridiculous looking on the hanger. But I bought it anyway for like twenty bucks.

I brought it home and put it over a simple black long-sleeve bodysuit with some baggy blue jeans. Girl. I looked in the mirror and I felt like I had completely unlocked a new level of personal style. It was so chic. I wore it to get coffee the next morning and three different people stopped to ask me where I got it. It is just such a happy, confident print.

The trick with cow print is texture. You want it to look like real hide, even if it is faux. It needs to have that fuzzy, tactile feeling. A flat, printed cow pattern on a shiny polyester shirt will just make you look like you are going to a farm-themed birthday party.

How to build outfits with Cow Print:

  • The statement jacket: A boxy cow print jacket is the only outerwear you need this season. Keep your base layer completely monochromatic – all black or all white – and let the jacket do all the talking.
  • Brown over Black: If you are nervous about the high contrast of black and white cow print, look for the brown and cream variations. It is much softer on the eyes and blends beautifully into a neutral wardrobe.
  • The structured bag: If clothing feels like too much, a structured, real-leather cowhide shoulder bag is the perfect compromise. It adds a massive dose of personality to a simple trench coat and jeans outfit.