Oooh, Bunsen, I like the Max Mara dress…perfect for early into mid-fall. I would wear that to work, the pattern is a touch more subtle than the OP’s dress. I’m an older person doing a young person’s game these days, so I have more flexibility I think than people are in a uber-conservative bunch or ‘older’ folk where pantsuits are the must have uniform. If I wore that (pantsuits) regularly my tribe would think I was “old” even if they know I’m old. Some of how we dress is to create an impression or to establish an impression not only with clients, but with co-workers. Just as twenty two year old clothes look bad on mature women almost always, mature outfits can make a mature person seem old or worse older.
I like the Kaye Spate, both for the price and also it’s more forgiven for my body type. I’m not sure I look good anymore in the Max Mara type of dress.
BB’s Max Mara dress doesn’t really read as leopard print to me - it reads more as an abstract pattern.
Acollegestudent is young, so this really doesn’t apply, but I think certain animal prints can look aging / cougar-ish on those of us 50 and beyond - almost a “trying too hard” - unless in small doses (such as a shoe or a trim). I confess to a personal dislike of animal prints on handbags, but that’s just me.
I think it would be acceptable if you pair it with all plain, dark accessories. (shoes, tights, black jacket, whatever else).
“I recently got a Leopard-print dress as a gift. It’s not this exact same one, but a very similar cut (the pattern is darker)…”
This is from the OP, and it signals to me that her dress might be less “leopard-ish” than we think.
For us, entering the workforce in the late 70s/early 80s it was easy - suit, shirt, bowtie, nylons and pumps. No open toed shoes, no weekend wear. I think it’s much, much harder for young people. I look at what the 20 and early 30 year olds wear and it’s frankly all over the place…from the black pants/white shirt/black shoes uniform to beachwear including maxi sundresses and flip flops. I really feel for young people entering the workforce, especially the women. The guys have “their uniform”…women, not so much. I can understand why the OP might be conflicted.
If you are even questioning it I would say not to wear it. I always tell my daughter (just graduated, new job) that to dress as professional as she can. People will take you more serious if you do, which is always a good thing. I remember it being a help when I was just out of school and traveling extensively for my job. It helps to look a little older than a wet behind the ears 22 year old.
Only OK if office is in NJ.
I’m not fashion forward, either, but in my office even the most conservative and dowdy of us would wear that dress with a black cardigan. And the more fashion-savvy would probably wear it on its own, with perfectly selected accessories. But those of us who don’t have a knack for perfectly selected accessories would be better off with just the black cardigan, because it’s hard to go wrong with one of those.
Definitely not OK. Don’t wear this to work!
Geez!!.. Even FORBES sez it is OK - when properly wardrobe-ized and accessorized 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesstylefile/2013/07/08/can-i-wear-leopard-print-to-the-office/
B-)
I like animal print (guess it’s that NJ influence, Barron’s). I just bought a blue and black Tommy Hilfiger leopard print shirtdress that I love and will wear with black tights and booties. I don’t think a modest dress like the one linked is unprofessional as long as everything else is monochromatic, restrained, and sleek.
A leopard piece (blouse, cardigan, scarf) is ok, even in a conservative office. But I think an entire dress is a bit much. Even a leopard skirt is verging on the ‘bit much’ side.
Come to think of it, maybe it’s just seeing animal print on someone’s butt that I find risque for the office.
At least it has sleeves. I’m not a fan of the current trend toward sleeveless dresses.
Animal print is no more inherently busy or risque than, say, plaid or floral print. It’s all in the way it’s accessorized. I do think the print can’t look too cheap, though. If the fabric is low quality, it will look bad.
Disagree.
Some animal prints have negative associations. While leopard can be classy or tacky, zebra is always tacky. Zebra gets associated w pimp outfits.
Does underwear count? I still but barely hang onto some with leopard print.
Ahhh. Prints. For reference… I just bought this - with full intent to wear it to the office.
It was not appropriate until this week - just because it was too darn hot! Thank goodness for cooler weather. I intend to wear it with a black pencil skirt, leather Rick Owens-inspired jacket, and black booties. Have at it!
B-)
Well, I’d wear it.
It would be interesting to do a survey of responders on this thread to see if their answer of “to wear or not to wear” to the office correlates with if they themselves wear to the office or even own animal prints.
Interesting to me anyway as someone who doesn’t own a single animal print nor would I choose to own one!!