Why does this top have a huge slit in the front?

[flowerpaper]

I ordered this top from Libby London: https://www.libbylondon.com/collections/tops-and-shirts/products/ravello-ocean-print-top

I recently left a public sector role and am doing more corporate dressing and am new this. This shirt has a panel with a slit in the front right down the front. There are no buttons or fastening, and I can’t see it indicated on this website. It will have to go back, I don’t need to accidentally given anyone an unwanted glimpse of menopausal belly.

I assume because it’s meant to be tucked in to a level where it wouldn’t gape, a bit like a wrap dress?

How very odd. Anyway, it’s good you’re sending it back, because £125 is a lot to pay for an ugly, old fashioned, viscose top.

Is that where you’re buying your new wardrobe? Frankly I’d send it all back. That site is entirely stuck in the late 20th century - and not the good bits.

Have you looked at:

Cos
Loulou Studio
Me and Em
Studio Nicholson
Toteme
Maxmara
The Frankie Shop
Lemaire
Rohe
Margaret Howell
Massimo Dutti
Adolfo Dominguez
Moukimou

(Even Uniqlo!)

All of them offer contemporary corporate wear. You may find it helpful to browse those sites before buying anything more.

what a lot of effort you put into such an unkind response

Great reply OP!

Oh - have I landed on the wrong board? I thought this was Style & Beauty, where we offer suggestions and opinions on clothes? How is it unkind to do that, when an OP says she is new to a particular type of dressing?

I am genuinely sorry if my remarks implied anything other than the actual kindness that I intended.

I suspect to make it drape better and give more of a faux wrap effect? Does seem odd. I quite like it in the photos but £125 is expensive for a simple top - you could get similar at Next.

That escalated quickly...! Blimey..
Anyway, I'd be tempted to phone or email and ask them. It's so weird I'd want to know why or, if it's a fault, they might offer you money off or something. Either way, I'd be so curious to know why there's a slit in it.
(I quite like it BTW. I'm in a similar position and going back to workwear)