Feeling flirty and a little fierce? Work a fashion-forward snakeskin print with a pink lip. Create a snakeskin top of your own using this super easy DIY tutorial created by crafty blogger loveMaegan.
- First, assemble your materials, including a plain white tee shirt, one of your favorite tank tops, a little bit of lace and a Sharpie Stained Fabric Marker. You’ll also need a pair of scissors and a paper bag or some cardboard to work with. Place the paper bag or cardboard in between your white shirt. This will ensure that the fabric marker won’t stain or bleed through to the other side.
- Next, lie your tank top on top of your shirt and carefully trace around it. Repeat the process on the back of the shirt as well.
- Use your scissors and carefully cut out the tank top.
- Place the cardboard in between the tank top, just like you did with the tee shirt. Grab your lace and place it on top of the tank top. Angle the Sharpie Stained Fabric Marker towards one side and mark your print through the lace fabric.
- When you remove the lace, you’ll end up with a light series of print that looks exactly like snakeskin.
- Repeat the process with the lace and fabric marker to create an all over snakeskin effect.
You can experiment with the tone, a bolder mark towards the top can create a cool gradient effect. Or, if you prefer a bit of color, mix things up with a yellow marker throughout the tank top.
If you’re looking to save a little time, you could always purchase snakeskin fabric and create a simple tank using this tutorial as well. For styling ideas, team with a pair of your favorite skinnies and ankle booties. There’s something so edgy and unique about snakeskin that gives off a hint of cool.
Written by Jade Nicolette

















The idea of pairing the finished top with skinnies and ankle booties fits perfectly with the edgy vibe mentioned.
The tip about placing cardboard inside the shirt to prevent bleed-through is simple but really important, glad it was emphasized.
I like how the tutorial uses lace as a stencil for the snakeskin effect, it’s such a clever workaround without needing fancy supplies.
I like that the tutorial leaves room for creativity, whether you go bold with the marker or keep the print subtle.
The step about repeating the tracing on the back of the shirt is easy to overlook but crucial for a clean result.
Placing the lace and working section by section seems like it would give each area a slightly different texture, which adds realism.
Tracing an existing tank top onto a white tee is a smart way to get the fit right without a pattern, especially for beginners.
Mixing in a yellow marker for color variation was unexpected but makes sense if you want a more vibrant take on snakeskin.
Cutting the tank shape after tracing both front and back is a nice detail that keeps everything aligned and symmetrical.
Repeating the lace print across the whole tank to build up the pattern seems time-consuming but worth it for that layered look.
Using one of your own tank tops as a guide instead of a template keeps the project really personal and customizable.
It’s helpful that the tutorial mentions you can just buy snakeskin fabric if you’re short on time but still follow the same steps.
The whole process feels very accessible since most people already have a white tee and scissors at home.
I appreciate the suggestion to create a gradient by making bolder marks toward the top, it adds more depth than a flat print.
This is a great way to repurpose an old white t-shirt instead of buying new fabric just for a trend piece.
I hadn’t thought of using something like a paper bag as a barrier, but it’s a practical alternative if you don’t have cardboard.
I like that the article encourages experimenting with tone instead of aiming for perfection with the print.
Using a Sharpie Stained fabric marker angled through lace to create texture sounds surprisingly effective for mimicking real snakeskin.
The contrast between the DIY process and the final “fierce” styling with a pink lip makes the project feel more fashion-forward.
It’s interesting how something as simple as lace can transform into a snakeskin pattern just by layering marker over it.