Is leopard print unprofessional?

[LajesticVantrashell]

I ordered a new dress from Next and it came today. Tried it on and showed DH, said I might wear it for work tomorrow. He looked horrified and said he didn't think leopard print was 'professional'.

For background, DH works in a very corporate environment (shirt and tie) whereas I've just started a new job and the dress/culture is much more relaxed (jeans/chinos).

AIBU? Is leopard print really that bad? Planning on wearing it with black tights and ankle boots for context...

(Obviously depends on the workplace too, but that goes without saying.)

i expect it’s fine in adult entertainment

To be honest OP it depends on the garment. Someone at work wore a really classy looking leopard print blouse with heels and black tailored trousers and it looked brilliant. On other people and on other clothes, leopard print can look very mutton dressed as lamb and cheap.

If you’re feeling brave enough, could you show us the dress?

If the dress is tight and bum-skimming with a low cleavage then no, not appropriate.

Otherwise, I'm sure it's fine. I haven't got a leopard print dress, but have worn a leopard print skirt, shirt and shoes (not all at the same time) to work, and nobody fainted. It's just a print, and a fairly widespread one at that.

Leopard print is very big right now. I can’t bring myself to wear in its original colour (I also get 80’s prostitute vibes from it!) but in a grey (Snow leopard?) or aubergine definitely.

As we've seen on this thread, there are still a few people who have very old fashioned views of leopard print (my DH is one of them!). In most relaxed work environments, however (mine included), it would be totally fine.

I have a lovely leopard print maxi skirt that I wear in a professional setting.

Subtly on a brunette,fine.On a blonde noooo.Dont know why but it always looks brassy imo.

It depends on the dress. If it’s figure hugging, short and bold print - yes, unprofessional.

If it’s one of the more currently fashionable midi length, wrap or shirt style with a fine print then I think some of them are very professional. A quick look at the next website tells me there are a mix of both workplace appropriate and workplace inappropriate dresses.

I think that more formal work wear demonstrates to others that you take the work seriously. Even on "dress down" days I won't wear jeans. I realise others feel differently but leopard print would not suggest office attire to me.

It depends how you style it

FFS. It’s fine.

In my industry it would be seen as dated and too ‘Next’!

I wouldn't despite having quite a lot of it at home, but M&S seem absolutely obsessed with the stuff these days, as nearly every single work dress is animal print of some kind.

Well, either animal print or only slightly longer than where my fat arse sags down to, at any rate.

Completely depends on the place of work. Depends on the style. But is is associated with 80s tarts and prozzis 😜 it'll never break away😂

I think it does depend on where it sits on the Bet Lynch scale.

If it's a full 10 (cleavage, tight and short) then I am with your DH (unless you are working in the Rovers Return)

Not the same print exactly, but I have a zebra print in tiger colours midi skirt I wear with a long sleeved, black high neck jumper to work and I get complimented on it every single time I wear it. EVERY TIME.

If the office is relaxed, where what you want with confident, dress it well and it will go down very well.

I expect it’s fine in adult entertainment but it wouldn’t be acceptable where I work.

best reply ever
Yup its hooker wear

I think my animal print clothes are pretty classy and wear them to work regularly. V weird attitude to rule them all out. Nearly all women’s shops stock smart clothes with this pattern on. I also have a Next dress which is more brown tones than yellow but anything from Next is pretty passable for work surely!

Leopard print shoes are as racy as I get for work, but I am an accountant.

I work in an office that isn’t very corporate. I have been called Judy ‘animal print’ Hopps so it’s a yes from me!
If I were going to a client office that was more corporate I wouldn’t wear it. As it is all of my clients aren’t very corporate either.

I would wear this www.asos.com/prd/14136730?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

I was in Next recently and thought the animal print dresses were lovely and very smart. Not 'adult entertainment' at all!

But not this! www.asos.com/prd/10394694?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.next.co.uk/style/st507148/688757?itm=688757#688757

I would say it’s fine. I have a pair of navy blue leopard 7:8 length trousers that I wear with a white blouse and cobalt shoes and I work in one of the most stuffy and formal environments ever.

It is definitely not professional and I wouldn't wear it.