From dogs in Christmas jumpers to leopard-print kitchenware, journalist search trends are taking a few interesting turns as we head into November.
Christmas might be dominating the editorial calendar, but the latest journalist search data from Press Loft reveals growing interest in pet-inspired products, New Year’s Eve celebrations, richer green colour palettes, animal print and gingham.
In fact, searches for gingham have jumped 201% month-on-month, animal print is up 170%, and downloads of dog-related imagery have more than doubled.
These shifts offer a useful glimpse into the products, patterns and themes catching the attention of journalists across interiors, fashion, lifestyle and gifting. And for brands looking to secure those final Christmas features or get ahead of the new year, there are plenty of opportunities worth exploring.
We’ve rounded up five of the biggest trends emerging from recent Press Loft search activity, along with a few tips for making the most of them.
1. Pet Gifting & Animal Motifs: Searches Up 200%
Our four-legged friends are getting plenty of attention from the press right now, with pet-related searches up 200% and downloads of dog-related imagery more than doubling on Press Loft.
Interestingly, this growing interest is taking two different directions.
The first is pet gifting, with journalists looking for everything from Christmas stockings and cosy beds to festive treats and accessories for our furry companions.
The second is a little more playful. Dog and cat motifs are appearing across homeware, gifting and Christmas decorations, from dachshund-inspired ornaments and novelty crackers to illustrated prints and tea towels.
It’s something we flagged in our Christmas 2026 Trend Report, and the latest download activity suggests there’s still plenty of appetite for these personality-filled designs.
What this means for brands: If your range includes pet products or animal-inspired designs, make sure your product names and keywords reflect that. Including relevant terms such as ‘dog’, ‘cat’ or specific breeds can help your products appear in searches for both pet gifting and decorative animal motifs.
2. New Year’s Eve & Party Dressing: Searches Up 88.9%
Christmas might be taking centre stage, but journalists are already turning their attention to the celebrations that follow.
Searches for New Year’s Eve and party dressing have risen 88.9% on Press Loft, with sequins, glitter and disco balls among the standout details.
And it’s not just fashion getting involved – Alongside party-ready dresses, statement tops and sparkling accessories, we’re seeing plenty of interest in decorations, glassware and table settings that bring a little extra glamour to festive entertaining.
For fashion and lifestyle journalists working on short-lead features, the weeks leading into November are an important window for sourcing imagery for partywear edits, New Year’s Eve styling guides and last-minute entertaining inspiration.
What this means for brands: Make sure your strongest partywear, accessories and entertaining imagery is live and easy to access. Clean cut-outs, on-model photography and styled lifestyle images can all help journalists find the right visuals for their upcoming features.
3. Rich Green Interiors: Searches Up 84%
Green isn’t going anywhere, but the shades catching journalists’ attention are starting to change.
Searches for green have increased by 84% on Press Loft, with recent activity pointing towards a growing preference for deeper, richer tones over softer shades such as sage.
Forest, bottle and heritage greens are coming into focus, with Benjamin Moore’s announcement of Webster Green as its 2027 Colour of the Year adding another timely talking point.
From velvet cushions and painted furniture to coloured glassware, decorative accessories and Christmas baubles, these darker greens lend themselves particularly well to colder-weather styling.
But their appeal isn’t limited to the festive season. As journalists begin looking ahead to the new year, these richer tones offer opportunities for everything from colour-led interiors features to seasonal decorating inspiration.
What this means for brands: If your collection includes deeper green shades, make sure they’re clearly identified in your product descriptions and keywords. Colour-specific searches can be a valuable route to discovery, particularly when major colour announcements put a particular shade in the spotlight.
4. Animal Print in Fashion & Interiors: Searches Up 170%
Leopard print has been enjoying a moment in fashion for some time, but it’s making just as much of an impression beyond the wardrobe.
Animal print searches have increased by 170% on Press Loft, with leopard leading the way across both fashion and homeware.
While coats, handbags and accessories remain popular, journalists are also downloading leopard-print butter dishes, kettles, serving boards and cushions.
It’s a trend that has moved well beyond statement clothing, with smaller home accessories offering an easy way to introduce print and personality into everyday spaces.
Even festive styling is getting involved, with leopard print providing a playful contrast to traditional Christmas colours and decorations.
What this means for brands: Think beyond the most obvious editorial categories when showcasing animal-print products. A leopard-print accessory could work just as well in a gifting feature as a fashion edit, while printed kitchenware and decorative pieces offer opportunities across interiors and entertaining.
5. Gingham & Modern Heritage Styling: Searches Up 201%
Gingham might traditionally bring summer picnics and pretty pastel table linens to mind, but the pattern is getting a distinctly cosier update.
Searches for gingham have climbed 201% month-on-month on Press Loft, with interest now almost three times higher than the same period last year.
This season, it’s all about richer colours and nostalgic country-inspired styling, with burgundy and chocolate brown taking the place of lighter summer shades.
The pattern is appearing across everything from placemats and bedding to lampshades and pyjamas, making it a versatile option for interiors, lifestyle and fashion features.
It also ties neatly into the wider appetite for modern heritage interiors, where familiar patterns, traditional details and lived-in styling continue to influence decorating trends.
What this means for brands: Don’t overlook products simply because a pattern has traditionally been associated with another season. Gingham, in particular, has plenty of potential for autumn and winter features when presented in warmer colours and cosy lifestyle settings.
How Brands Can Use These Journalist Search Trends
The latest Press Loft insights highlight an important point for brands planning their PR activity: you don’t always need a brand-new collection to take advantage of an emerging editorial trend.
A leopard-print cushion, a forest-green vase or a gingham tablecloth might already be sitting in your product library. The opportunity comes from recognising when journalists are showing renewed interest in those products and ensuring they’re easy to discover.
With Christmas gift guides, New Year’s Eve features and early 2027 interiors stories all competing for attention, there’s still plenty of scope to make the most of short-lead editorial opportunities.
A few simple updates can make a difference, from refreshing product names and descriptions to uploading relevant lifestyle imagery and ensuring your latest collections are available for journalists to download.
And while these five trends are particularly relevant right now, keeping an eye on changing journalist search behaviour can help brands identify opportunities throughout the year.
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