Classy or slutty?

[strawbsers]

We had a an important customer visit to our office today - one of the female visitors (late 20s, tall and slim) was wearing a tartan mini-skirt, black opaque tights and shiny patent black pumps. I have tracked down the skirt and it was one of these; www.lookastic.co.uk/women/red-plaid-mini-skirt/shop/topshop-tartan-plaid-skirt-red-4-75373?utm_medium=Referral&utm_source=lookastic.com
I commented to my female colleagues after she left that she looked stunning and stylish - but they (all 5 of them) said she looked tarty/slutty and that it was not a suitable business outfit (I have to admit that it would have been a bit hot today - she travelled 3 hours in the car) - but I think it looked good and I'm thinking of getting same skirt/similar outfit.
What do others think - class or tart?

Rachel from Friends 1995. I could wear it then with opaques because I was young, thin and studenty but it'd be difficult to pull off otherwise.

It is exactly the kind of thing I wore as a student with black biker boots and ripped tights and a donkey jacket on top.

For work, god no.

Love it, wish I could wear it (think I probably did long long time ago).

Some women really are womens worst enemies.....

Actually, in winter, no matter how thick the tights, that skirt would be cold.

Wore a dress for the first time in a decade in early march - thick tights with it. Cold.

Go for it with opaques and black ankle boots....I would have done but I'm 51, so it's a no no for me!

I love this skirt! Fab with black tights.

I've got a very similar one but in green/white tartan. I don't know whether it's be alright attire for a real job but luckily I haven't had a real job for years so don't have to worry about this mad 'business attire' shit. I do run my own business funnily enough though.

Horrible women for using the word slutty and tarty.

I have a tartan mini that I often wear for work with black tights. It's not as short as that though. I wouldn't wear it with patent shoes.

Jeez, are those back in? Must keep DH away from the shops, as he has no concept of the passage of time or the broadening of my arse, and will hint hopefully at how nice it would look on me.

It's neither classy nor slutty. It's just a bloody skirt.

Muddling - Just what I thought. 51 quid for half a yard of material . . . . !!!

They are jealous of her figure and how stylish she looks. I am 5ft 4in I don't walk around hating women and there long legs. Great things come in small packages. Maybe you should say that around the office to your colleagues the next time she has another meeting at your office.

Completely inappropriate for work.

The problem people seem to forget is that a business has to treat all employees equally. Whilst a very short skirt might look ok on someone with amazing legs, and with flats, it looks awful on someone bigger, even with heels. You can't tell them that, so you have to put a strict dress code for everyone.

BreconBeBuggered he may buy it for you for christmas or birthday present.

In fact, remembering back... I used to wear my tartan skirt with boots to work in my early 20's but I used to work in PR so it wasn't weird.

Not "slutty" or "classy" (because all women are either or, right?), it's just clothes. I like it, and would probably still wear it now, albeit not to work cos it's cold in my office.

cherryplumbanana if you are working in fashion and cosmetics you have to look the part. If you walk in looking like a plain Jane then no one will take you serious. It reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada.

They are jealous of her figure and how stylish she looks.

That's such a daft comment. I have long legs. I wouldn't dream of wearing a skirt that short to work. It isn't professional.

Just because you don't approve of a choice someone has made it doesn't mean you're envious of them.

PurpleDaisies what is your line of work?

The problem people seem to forget is that a business has to treat all employees equally. Whilst a very short skirt might look ok on someone with amazing legs, and with flats, it looks awful on someone bigger, even with heels. You can't tell them that, so you have to put a strict dress code for everyone.

That's absolutely ridiculous, imvho. Dress codes are not written because some people might not look super model-esque in certain items!

Can people stop saying it's inappropriate for work in such a sweeping way? It might be for some workplaces but isn't for all. Your workplace doesn't speak for all workplaces.

Reminds me of people saying that 4 yos should wear uniform to get them ready for the workplace.

It doesn't even look nice on the model. Sorry, just no.

if you are working in fashion and cosmetics you have to look the part

clearly, you don't. In real life, corporate people still look corporate, and a lot of behind the scenes people dress surprisingly casually.

Dress codes are not written because some people might not look super model-esque in certain items!

ahum... dress code are written to ensure people wear appropriate clothes and don't embarrass the company. They normally need to be updated every time some bright spark comes up with another ridiculous take, and trust me, body shapes are taken into account when the damn things have to be written, meaning you have to plan for the worst case scenario.

I've never worked anywhere with a dress code. Creative industry.

I wouldn't buy it personally I have chunky thighs. We are always saying on here that a woman can wear what she wants its her right. I have seen women wear a lot worse in the office than that skirt. It doesn't look offensive its just a skirt and the op posted that she wore a black blouse with a jacket on top. She is dressed smartly but her choice of clothes is not everyones cup of tea but that is ok.

Ahum indeed. I'm afraid I now have this image in my head.

I've read, and helped write, a fair few dress codes - have never, ever seen bodyshape taken into account.