It’s not every year that two seemingly contrasting trends—one rooted in the wild, the other in the orchard—dominate the fashion conversation. Yet as February 2026 draws to a close, snakeskin prints and apple green hues have emerged as the undisputed stars of wardrobes, runways, and red carpets alike. The rise of these trends, documented by both Coveteur and The Guardian, reveals a fashion world unafraid to blend boldness with versatility, animal magnetism with botanical brightness.
For those who’ve been tracking the animal print cycle, 2025 was an eventful year. According to Coveteur, cow print made a splash at New York Fashion Week in the fall, followed closely by an explosion of leopard and cheetah coats as winter set in. But as the cold lingered, another print quietly slithered into the spotlight—snakeskin. The article’s author describes a personal epiphany after seeing actress Rebecca Hall in New York City, decked out in a snakeskin skirt, boots, and bag. “This should’ve been a snakeskin overload, but it worked,” the writer admits, calling snakeskin “versatile, limitless, and a fool-proof way of giving a look a bit of edge.”
That sense of edge and adaptability is perhaps what’s propelled snakeskin beyond a fleeting fad. Margot Robbie’s appearance in a striking red snakeskin ensemble from Dilara Findikoglu’s Fall 2025 collection—part of her much-discussed ‘Wuthering Heights’ press tour—cemented the print’s status as a high-fashion contender. Designers have since doubled down: Marni and Ludovic de Saint Sernin both wove snakeskin into their Fall/Winter 2025-26 collections, signaling that the print was here to stay.
But the story doesn’t end with winter. As Coveteur points out, snakeskin is proving itself seasonless. LaQuan Smith’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection brought snakeskin to the fore in a fresh, breezy way—think blouses and dresses in vivid colors and lightweight fabrics, perfect for warmer days. Vaquera, meanwhile, made the case for leather snakeskin pants and coats, ideal for those unpredictable, chilly spring evenings. “If we’re treating Fall/Winter 2026 collections as a sort of crystal ball that sees the future, it’s safe to say that we should hold onto our snakeskin coats and boots for as long as we possibly can,” the article notes.
Indeed, the crystal ball analogy isn’t far off. Sergio Hudson’s Fall/Winter 2026 show at New York Fashion Week made waves with snakeskin trench coats, corsets, and skirt suits—including a standout yellow trench coat. Khaite, on the other hand, opted for subtlety, incorporating snakeskin opera gloves and coordinated bags for a textural pop against classic black looks. The message from designers is clear: snakeskin is not just a winter statement but a year-round staple, adaptable enough to suit both the maximalist and the minimalist.
Yet, just as snakeskin was gaining traction as the print of the moment, a vibrant new color began to steal the scene. As reported by The Guardian on February 20, 2026, apple green—a shade once dismissed as “tricky” and hard to wear—has been making a bold comeback. Traditionally seen as clashing with other colors and flattering only a select few, green is now defying expectations on runways and red carpets alike.
The evidence is everywhere. At the Berlin Film Festival, Pamela Anderson turned heads in an apple-green wrap by Carolina Herrera, layered over a dress in harmonious pinks and greens. Amal Clooney chose a green Versace gown for a Golden Globes afterparty, while Rose Byrne opted for Chanel in the same shade at the Golden Globes ceremony itself. With award season in full swing, speculation is rife that apple green will make a strong showing at the upcoming BAFTAs on February 23, 2026.
Fashion writer Natalie Hammond, quoted by The Guardian, calls apple green “the new tomato”—a reference to the bold red shades that have recently dominated the fashion landscape. She notes, “It’s different from what you usually see, namely a lot of black, white, red and metallic gowns. Green is traditionally a colour that’s soothing, but on the red carpet it can be something else entirely—sophisticated [and] intentional.” Hammond also points to New York Fashion Week, where apple green was spotted as a punchy accent—think scarves and jumpers knotted around waists, bringing a fresh energy to even the most classic ensembles.
The green wave isn’t confined to high fashion or celebrity circles. Retailers are taking heed. John Lewis, a major UK department store, has embraced apple green for its Spring 2026 offerings. Queralt Ferrer, the store’s design director, told The Guardian, “Spring 2026 will introduce fresh pops of colour, with green taking centre stage as the season’s hero hue.” For those wary of a full-on green look, Ferrer suggests starting small: “If you’re new to colour, try adding an accessory, like ballet flats, or make more of a statement by layering in a jumper or cardigan.”
Data backs up the buzz. Resale platform Depop reported a 47% increase in searches for green items in January 2026, further proof that the color’s popularity is more than just a fleeting moment. Meanwhile, John Lewis’s own spring lines are expected to see green “edging out red” as the go-to shade for trendsetters and cautious adopters alike.
What’s driving the parallel rise of snakeskin and apple green? The answer may lie in their shared ability to break the rules while remaining accessible. Snakeskin, once reserved for statement boots or bags, is now a head-to-toe option—worn with confidence by celebrities and featured in collections from Marni to Sergio Hudson. Apple green, formerly a niche accent, has become a red carpet and retail favorite, challenging old adages about color clashes and skin tone limitations.
This dual trend is also a testament to fashion’s cyclical nature and its hunger for reinvention. Animal prints have always found their way into the style conversation, but the current snakeskin moment feels especially democratic—embraced by maximalists and minimalists, high-end designers and fast-fashion brands. Similarly, green’s ascent shows that even the most “difficult” color can be reimagined for a new generation, provided it’s paired with the right attitude and a willingness to experiment.
As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, the message from both the runways and the streets is clear: don’t pack away your snakeskin coats or shy away from green accessories just yet. The year’s defining looks are about embracing the unexpected—whether that means mixing animal prints with botanical brights or trading in safe neutrals for something a little more daring. After all, in a season where snakeskin and apple green reign supreme, fashion’s only real rule is to have fun breaking them.