Appropriate workwear?? Stumped!

[lenalove]

I started working in finance about 6 months ago, having previously worked in a creative industry. Obviously in my last role, there was no dress code whatsoever, and people wore anything they wanted. Obviously finance is a more corporate industry, however I work at a very small firm of 10 people (where I am an EA) that is by nature less corporate than say a large investment bank where everyone is suited and booted!

With the hot weather I've been wearing sandals (nice ones, never flipflops or anything grubby, always manicured toes) and a number of summer dresses. (Never low cut, too short or strappy but not exactly corporate either!).

Sometimes, when it's cooler I'll wear jeans, sandals and a nice shirt, always make sure to accessorise well so it looks like effort has gone in.

I just don't know whether I look ok, or unprofessional! All my colleagues bar one are men, so I can't really use them as a benchmark, and the one woman is late 40s (I am 25) so our style is naturally going to differ...

Can anyone shed any light? Worried I've been making a fool of myself for the past few months

I work in finance and am same age. I don't tend to wear jeans to work. Only sometimes a pair of black jeans but I tend to do cropped trousers and a nice shirt, or a dress. Sandals are fine in my opinion, like you said no flip flops. Summer dresses are probably ok, but I don't go for anything bright, short or low cut.

An example today, I am wearing navy cropped trousers, loafers, white cami and a camel cardigan (AC is too cold for me)

It is hard isn't it? Where I worked before our HR manager came to work in jeans! I can't help as we can wear anything in reception, even jeans. However, where I have worked before I always wore comfy shoes and no flip flops because I was in and out of labs (not a lab worker though). Anywhere else I might work I would not wear jeans but that is maybe because I have a number of pairs of 'work wear' trousers and think I should wear them, along with the jackets. I know some people wear dresses or skirts.