I am wondering if it’s something that would be inappropriate in a work environment. I have never owned an animal print for any article of clothing, so I really just have no idea.
The dress is not overly tight on me or anything like that. It’s just the print that’s concerning me.
It’s not an interview dress but it looks good to me. As long as not too tight, plunging neckline, cheap fabric it is fine. This dress linked does not look too out there to me, the cut is nice. A bit depending on what work environment, but you should be able to tell by looking around if it would seem totally out of place. Wear it on a Friday and it may imply that you are going out to dinner or drinks after.
Just to clarify a few points. Definitely not an interview dress (been with the company a few years)! It doesn’t have the wavy lines, like the one in the picture, just animal print. It’s not too tight, no plunging neckline - like in the picture, everything is covered and maybe an inch above the knee.
The work environment is a pretty formal one, but in the summer the dress code is relaxed, and overall women seem to wear a variety of things. It’s actually really hard to judge, because women seem to wear such a wide range of things (even women in similar positions). I am definitely not trying to go for a ‘sexy’ look, especially not at work.
I generally don’t dress ‘edgy’ at work - as I mentioned, this is the only animal print I even own, and it was a gift.
The fact that you’re asking here clearly indicates you’re at least ambivalent and questioning whether this is an appropriate dress for work. I’d wear it for other events, NOT work until you’re more confident that this is indeed something appropriate for your workplace. Personally, I don’t wear animal prints at all, but that’s wholly irrelevant, as is the fact that this was a gift.
I’m assuming you are telling us it’s a gift because it it not something you would have bought for yourself. If you have any hesitation about it for work then don’t wear it. I always believe that if I don’t feel confident in an outfit then I shouldn’t be wearing it. It shows. And some things are more appropriate for work than others. Go with your gut.
I do wear animal prints to work in a professional office, I am an accountant. However, I would not wear a dress. I wear the print either as a skirt or the top…but not both. I even have animal print heels that I wear with a solid dress. Save this dress for dinner or a night out with the girls.
Is there an older female manager that you are close enough to confide in that you could show a picture of the actual dress and ask? Personally, I would probably be ok with wearing it, but then I am not averse to a bit of the outrageous. Particularly when I was younger.
It would be acceptable in a creative or marketing department. I would wear it though I would not buy it for myself for work and with a solid cardigan sweater and very plain low heeled solid shoes.
It really depends on the work environment and what the typical dress code seems to be. That said, it might work with a black cardigan (as already suggested) or even a black blazer over it, which tones down the look and makes it look more professional. Otherwise, I’m sure it could be a dress you can use for other occasions outside of work!
Ok, acollegestudent, don’t take this wrong way - but you’ve indicated in previous threads that you’re not “into” fashion, you’re not a fashionista, you are pretty clean scrubbed and basic clothes-cover-me and that’s presumably what your coworkers are used to seeing in you. I think someone who is already known in the office for being fashion-forward could likely pull this off (especially because they’d know the right way to accessorize it - really sharp, classic black slingbacks and the aforementioned black cardigan / blazer / scarf). I think because you’ve already described yourself as not being comfortable with that sort of thing, it might be harder for you to pull it off.
We had a major fashionista at our office who could pull off the ripped-jeans look with heels and on her it looked great. It would have looked completely stupid on me - like, what, did you fall and rip your jeans??
Well, if the OP did not like the gift or was completely uncomfortable with wearing it, she would not be asking this question. Good suggestions from Pizzagirl and others. Toned down prints are fine for wearing to the office if everyone does it, but in most professional offices, even where people like to wear prints, they are best in small quantities.
This type of a dress would be OK when worn with a dark blazer or a long cardigan in the color matching that of the darkest print (black, dark chocolate, etc.) and a belt in a different color, perhaps the lighter color of the print. As other posters said, flats or low heel pumps would complement it nicely. This is the animal print dress I wear to work with a black cardigan, the pictured belt, and black low heeled wedges:
I’ve worked at a place where some co-workers dressed like hippies (and one guy regularly came in in clothes that featured cigarette burn holes; he also didn’t shower much).
But I would not wear that if you’re in a client-facing role.
Safest bet is to wear what middle-tier people (women in your case) wear. Just because you have something doesn’t mean you have to wear it. If there a reason why you’d wear it to work rather than just reserving it for outside of work?
Good suggestions from Pizzagirl and others. Toned down prints are fine for wearing to the office if everyone does it, but in most professional offices, even where people like to wear prints, they are best in small quantities.