Of recent, Rihanna has been embracing 2016 codes of style, giving some of the era’s most divisive trends a contemporary Rihanna spin—the office-to-club blazer and leggings and pumps combo included. The pop star is continuing that provocative sartorial spirit; this time, taking the vibe back a few decades to enjoy some ’80s animal print.

Rihanna is in New York, on the east coast to support her partner A$AP Rocky as he promotes his latest album, Don’t be Dumb. Keeping her chilly city style on point, yesterday, she opted for a tiger print, wool-blend jacquard coat by Alaïa (an enduring favorite designer for Rih), matching tiger print calf hair pumps also by the French house, and little else. She sported a fire truck red lip with her hair up in a loose up-do with face framing pieces, a Bryony Raymond gold necklace, and angular, oversized black sunglasses.

Photo: Getty Images

Clearly an animal print fanatic, Rih also toted her favorite vintage leopard print mini Papillon bag by Louis Vuitton, which has been in her handbag rotation from Aspen to Los Angeles and NYC.

Delighting in that ’80s maximalist glam, Rihanna makes a strong case for the return of tiger print. It’s the second time Rih has sported the Alaïa pump too, pairing them earlier in the week with a similarly statement-making denim-on-denim look. But the Fenty Beauty mogul has proven herself animal print agnostic, with a particular penchant for snake—those Amina Muaddi python print boots are the hardest working shoe in her wardrobe.

Photo: Backgrid

Photo: Backgrid

While leopard print might be considered a neutral, and cow and deer print are experiencing somewhat of a revival, tiger stripes feel much more maligned. Cast your eye to the spring 2026 runways of Alaïa, Gucci, and Chopova Lowena (as well as a particularly stand-out beaded tiger dress at Matthieu Blazey’s Chanel Métiers d’art show), though, and you’ll see tiger print on the prowl.