Leopard print in the office?

[alexa1789]

Advice please...

I'm wearing a leopard print top at work today. The top has thin straps but is not low-cut or sheer. I'm wearing it with a long black pleated skirt and black tights. My make-up is very neutral.

I just bumped into a senior manager at work and he joked that I look like I'm "off to Ibiza" today - I guessed this was a comment about the top. We work closely together and he's a nice guy and would never have meant to offend. I laughed with him but now I'm worried my appearance is unprofessional today and I'm planning to spend the rest of the day wrapped up in my massive shawl.

I hardly think I look like I'm off on a night out but maybe leopard print in the office is a no-go? What do people think?

A strappy leopard print top probably isn't appropriate. It's a mix of style and print. Sounds weird though with black tights, the top sounds very summary and the tights are more wintery.

I wear LOADS of leopard print to work, it probably makes up about 70% of my wardrobe. I'd never wear a strappy top to work through, even in the height of summer, unless it was underneath something, so I suspect that's what's being commented on. Just keep your shawl on today and then wear a cardigan over the top in future.

Scrappy is a concern.

I think leopard print in the office only really works if it's an accent so shoes or belt. Or the top you describe but under a cardigan so that you were seeing only a small part of it.

Can you link to the top

Are you in the U.K.? Bare shoulders at this time of year would certainly stand out.
Some companies don't even allow bare shoulders in a heat wave.

I would.think it is the strappy top aswell and not the print

Leopard print = fine; strappy top = not fine; strappy leopard print top = Ibiza confusion/not at all fine. Can you put a cardigan over it, that would make it fine!

Another vote for the straps being the issue. I've never worked in an office where strappy tops wouldn't be frowned upon

It's March - and it's nippy in my office today. Where are you that a strappy top is warm enough?! Having a look around my office, everyone brought a heavy coat (and an umbrella) today and is mostly wearing black jumpers, long-sleeve Boden dress, shirt with cardi etc. I don't think it's anything to do with the pattern, more because you are so strikingly different from what everyone else is wearing.

Nearly everyone in my office wears a bit of leopard print occasionally. Nobody ever wears strappy tops.

I agree that its probably a comment about the top being more appropriate for Ibiza weather than for the weather here today

I agree with the others that it's probably the straps.

Our office dress code stipulates no strappy tops. Sleeveless tops are OK, but thin, spaghetti strap tops are not, unless you're wearing a cardi or something over the top

I wear leopard print to work sometimes and no one has ever said a word.

Aren't you freezing though?

Strappy combined with leopard print is probably what caused the comment, but the strappy is definitely worse than leopard print. Probably would have had a similar comment if the top was strappy and slightly sparkly or shiny.

Ah, I see - come to think of it, it is most likely the straps rather than the print! My office can be quite casual (people wear jeans sometimes, and not just on Fridays) but generally speaking people don't wear strappy tops.

I'm afraid I can't upload a pic for some reason - when I try to my phone freezes :/

It's actually boiling in my office today for some reason - I'm really hot in my shawl but definitely keeping it on for the rest of the day!

Thanks all for your comments.

I wear strappy tops in the summer all the time... It's bloody hot in the office plus I want to show off my tan.... Others wear worse than me
In the winter I'm not very sure what it would be very appropriate but again I wouldn't get the comment you got, that was odd..

Can you pls show us picture!!!

No. Leopard print or strappy shoulders are not smart casual or suitable for the office.

Do you think your boss was trying to give you aheads up but being nice and jokey about it?

I'd skip strappy tops for work, even in a casual office, I think.

a heads up

I agree its probably the strappy top.

Depends entirely on the top and the print.

In my workplace thin straps would be a complete no-no but leopard print could be fine, depending on the print I hope so as I've just put on a leopard print dress

Leopard would raise an eye in a tradition office that wasn't "meedya" based in my opinion. Combined with the strappy element, it sounds like a night out too not daytime office wear.

A lot of guys think leopard is really"racy" (!) whereas girls think it's cool. Blurred leopard, or in colours like pink & grey get less attention but actual Black and Tan leopard print is a bit over the top for office. I love leopard but it always gets comments from some men. I think they see it along the same lines as red underwear.

(Off to search for leopard dress or bag now and dig out my leopard print boots!!!)

I agree with other posters, it's the strappy top that's probably more of an issue.

I can't stand the exposure of flesh within a working environment. Sets my teeth on edge.

If a male employee came in wearing just a vest top?

If it's too hot then you are within a workplace that needs to assess it's energy consumption.

I can't stand the exposure of flesh within a working environment. Sets my teeth on edge.

Why is that?