Deerly beloved: the print taking over your feed (and next)

Forget the fleeting reign of cow print—a more graceful, subtly chic pattern is poised to dominate wardrobes this spring: deer print. While luxury houses like Loewe and Sandy Liang have already showcased the motif in statement pieces, a surprisingly accessible entry point has emerged, courtesy of Next.

A £35 skirt that solves the trend puzzle

The high street retailer has just dropped a brown deer print satin midi skirt for a mere £35 – a price point that makes embracing the trend considerably less daunting. The skirt’s luxurious satin fabric and fluid silhouette offer a sophistication that belies its affordability. It’s the kind of piece that whispers elegance rather than shouting it, a welcome shift from some of the more aggressively patterned trends we've seen recently.

But let's be honest, deer print can be tricky. It's a pattern that demands careful styling, lest you end up looking like you raided a woodland creature’s closet. The beauty of this particular iteration, however, lies in its neutrality. The brown tones ground the print, allowing for surprising versatility. Think powder blue or lemon yellow – both colors dominating the spring palette – or even a soft blush for a particularly romantic feel.

Styling is, thankfully, uncomplicated. The skirt itself is a statement, so let it shine. A crisp white fitted waistcoat with classic buttons, as seen on Next’s model, offers a polished look. For a more relaxed vibe, try pairing it with an oversized short-sleeve top featuring delicate lace detailing. Or, for those moments when comfort is paramount, a cashmere cardigan in one of the trending spring hues will do the trick, or a slouchy oversized jumper for a subtly sexy vibe.

Beyond Next’s offering, a few other retailers are dipping their toes into the deer print pool. Never Fully Dressed has a charming fawn Soho dress, while & Other Stories offers a sophisticated deer print leather tote. Anthropologie’s Pilcro denim jacket provides a more casual option, demonstrating the print’s adaptability across various garment types. The key takeaway? This isn’t a trend to be feared—it’s an opportunity to infuse a touch of understated whimsy into your spring wardrobe.

But the real story here isn’t just the print itself; it's the democratization of high Fashion. A trend once confined to the runways and the wallets of the ultra-wealthy is now available to anyone with £35 to spare. The Next skirt isn’t just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of Fashion’s increasingly accessible landscape.