The Anti-Minimalist Handbag That Looks More Expensive Than Calf Hair or Suede

snakeskin purses shown in a collage of close photos of models walking down the runway shows of Ferragamo, Jil Sander and Dries Van Noten carrying python handbags
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Jil Sander S/S 25; Dries Van Noten S/S 25; Ferragamo S/S 25)
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman's avatar
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With spring on the horizon, there will surely be an influx of fresh handbag trends to adopt. But possibly one of the most prominent trends isn't "new" at all; it's been around for some time: snakeskin. If fashion is a kingdom, animal prints, specifically snakeskin, have remained at the top of the chain for the better half of a century. However, we've seen python prints pervade every aspect of pop culture, from the spring 2025 runway shows to our social media feeds in every form imaginable—outerwear, footwear, and even handbags. The latter is one of the most compelling versions of this print trend, as it can make anything look more expensive. Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't admit that styling snakeskin can seem challenging because it leans more maximalist. Snakeskin purses, though? They're a different story.

Sure, we love suede handbags, but they're tough to keep clean. Yes, calf-hair bags are coming back, but if not styled right, they can appear cliché. Snakeskin purses are one of the few "maximalist" trends that can be effortlessly incorporated into everyone's wardrobe. Not only does this particular bag remain perennially relevant no matter the season, but snakeskin bags can be styled with everyday staples for every occasion. Not convinced yet? Ahead, we’ve done some hunting (figuratively, of course) to show you examples of the snakeskin handbag trend's continued relevance on the runway and in the wild through styling examples. Plus, we've rounded up a curation of some of the best snakeskin purses to buy for spring to prove our point further. We predict that snakeskin purses will slither their way back into your closet after you're done reading.

On the Runway

From Khaite to Ferragamo, the spring shows featured snakeskin purses, aplenty. Keep scrolling to see more examples of the handbag trend.

A snakeskin purse is shown in a photo of a model walking down the of Khaite's spring 2025 runway show carrying a python handbag with a a long black leather trench coat, navy blue satin shirt, navy satin trousers, and snakeskin heels

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Khaite S/S 25)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a close-up photo of a model walking down Ulla Johnson's spring 2025 runway show, carrying a python clutch bag with an olive green embellished trench

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Ulla Johnson S/S 25)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a photo of a model walking down Jil Sander's spring runway shows carrying a python shoulder bag styled with silver earrings, a white knit dress, and yellow loafers

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Jil Sander S/S 25)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a photo of a model walking down the Dries Van Noten spring 2025 runway show carrying a python handbags styled with a matching trench coat and red mules

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Dries Van Noten S/S 25)

A snakeskin purse is shown in close-up photo of a model walking down the Luar spring 2025 runway show carrying a brown python handbag with a brown trench coat

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Luar S/S 25)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a photo of a model walking down the Ferragamo spring 2025 runway show, carrying a brown python clutch with a pink satin maxi dress and satin wrap up ankle flip flops

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Ferragamo S/S 25)

In the Wild

Snakeskin purses weren't just spotted on the spring runway, as they've also slowly taken over the street-style scene, too. Keep scrolling to see examples of how the fashion set is styling this handbag trend.

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing on a stoop wearing black sunglasses, gold hoops, a gray blazer with matching trousers and a green snakeskin shoulder bag

(Image credit: @sobalera)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing outside wearing gold earrings, a black blouse, black long shorts, gold bangles, yellow slingback heels, and a python clutch bag

(Image credit: @sandrashehab)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing outside wearing a white cape dress with black thigh-high patent leather boots and a yellow snakeskin shoulder bag

(Image credit: @oumaymaboumeshouli)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing inside an art gallery wearing a white button-down shirt with dark brown wide-leg trousers, brown pointed heels, and a brown snakeskin clutch bag

(Image credit: @iliridakrasniqi)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing outside in the street, wearing black sunglasses with a light suede jacket styled over a white t-shirt with a black belt, black jeans, and a python clutch bag

(Image credit: @cassdimicco)

A snakeskin purse is shown in a street-style photo of a woman standing outside wearing black sunglasses, a white t-shirt, a tan wrap skirt, black mules, and a python bucket bag

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Shop Snakeskin Purses

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Freelance Fashion Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing. 

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