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...

It really doesn’t look professional. Don’t wear it to work.

That dress is way too much. I wouldn’t wear that to work.

It depends on the dress & the culture & if you're new there, you won't know yet. I think it's a bit trashy.

AndJusthangingaround it would be suitable (if actually a little staid) for my office. UK based.

I wouldn’t wear that dress as I think short plus leopard print is too much but I would, and do wear animal print, as do loads of women where I work. (Hospital management, NHS) As far as I’m aware, none of us are moonlighting as hookers or barmaids 🤷‍♀️

I think a lot depends on your age too. I am mid 40s and wouldn't wear it to work. Mid 20s, possibly.

@PeterPanGoesWrong OP’s dress is this one.

Shocked at the stuffy responses on here. Twinset and pearls only on mumsnet is it?

I can't imagine a Next dress being suitable for adult entertainment!

I'm sure it will be fine - wear it with flare

Ofc it’s fine, I can’t believe some of the responses on here!

I would wait until you've been there a bit longer and can make the judgment for yourself, OP. I can imagine work environments where it's completely fine and others where it would definitely not be. If you aren't sure, don't wear it.

Unless you're as skinny as the model concerned and about two foot shorter you're going to be flashing your arse everytime you move with that - and make sure you've got big knickers on, as it's a bit blustery outside.

Ok, for example, I wore this with blue tights and tan ankle boots when I did a presentation to the board of executives. Is this too casual? Because that's the kind of office I work in.

Fine in my office (agency). Last week there were so many of us wearing animal print in my LT meeting that we looked like a bunch of cats out hunting. A couple of the men said they were feeling very left out!

Leopard print is ok for the office along with any other print in an office that allows casual or smart casual. Joules have a leopard print day dress in at the moment which depending on which way you look at means leopard print is now the face of middle class mum fashion or completely had it's moment.
Caveat to this is maybe if the dress is thigh length body con with cut-outs. Maybe then not so much 😂

It’s fine I would wear that for work

Goodness you lot are so uptight

I have this dress and have worn it to work (fairly corporate)

Dress

Worn with black Mary Janes, plain bag, updo hair. I had plenty of nice comments and no snark

I’d say that Hush dress is fine OP (though not sure about the blue tights!). The cut and print are a bit more toned down than the next dress.

Blue spotty one is more staid than the leopard print one. It's the cut.

Kate Cambridge looked great the other day. Get a grip you old duffers!

Oh and I am 53 - so I can't wear animal print if an old gimmer?

I wear leopard print at work, it’s become almost neutral I think.
I work in public sector . Really surprised at some responses here. Wouldn’t occur to me that it’s not professional

It would be absolutely fine in my industry OP. Which is corporate, but a bit ‘creative’.

Animal print is a neutral. Caitlin Moran said so.
And therefore it's fine.

I have a leopard print LK Bennett dress that is knee length and long sleeved and I used to wear it with a black jacket for work. It never looked out of place or inappropriate at all.