Cleopatra made the snake a powerful fashion symbol back in B.C. Egypt, sporting a sacred cobra on her diadem — and in legend, using one to off herself. This fall, the reptile both dreaded and sometimes deified has slithered back into style, both on actual snakeskin accessories and on knitwear, dresses and skirts in scaled-yet-lush prints recalling the hides of everything from anacondas to water moccasins.
“It’s a non-print print,” says Betsy Fisher, a boutique owner in Washington. She’s currently carrying a range of serpentine pieces, including Magaschoni’s moss green and white cashmere scarf ($238) and Ted Rossi’s regal, rocker-ish python-skin rings, cuffs and necklaces. “Snakeskin is a neutral that’s really rich and warm, but fresher than the cat prints we’ve been seeing,” she says. “It can even be a nice way of showing an affinity with nature.”
The biblical trouble Eve had with a serpent and an apple, and some people’s ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) means the mottled pattern carries a bit of danger and edge. “It’s got a sense of toughness, since snakes are such survivors,” says Katherine Limon, owner of the Washington eco-boutique Carbon. Her store currently stocks Diamantina’s dramatic snake-print totes.
Still, too many reptilian pieces in one outfit says Britney Spears in Vegas, not successful style hunter. Stick to one scaly piece at a time, whether that’s a tailored skirt or a sequined minidress. “I like a cream sweater dress with a pair of snakeskin booties,” says Limon, who also heads the My Signature Look wardrobe consultation service. “You’re making a strong statement, but you can wear it to work.”
“Snake pieces mix best with neutral colors,” says Jennifer Gosselin, general manager for online megastore Piperlime, which is crawling with the trend. “An accessory is a pop of fun, and if you’re doing a dress or top, the key is sticking to solid-colored accessories.”
And remember, if you walk too far over to the wild side, change is just a matter of shedding some skin.
