Help me find some smart but summery work dresses for new job!

[lenalove]

I'm starting a new job in two weeks as an EA in financial services, and the dress code is formal and very polished. I want to find a couple of dresses I can wear to work but ideally without compromising on my personal style. I never wear grey, black or navy and love bright colours (pink especially!). I am a curvy size 10 (with 34E boobs) and I'm 24 so want to look put together but not frumpy! Budget can stretch for the right pieces. Any ideas much appreciated

tea dress like that with a navy blazer?

I know it’s unpopular in some quarters but Boden do some great work dresses in bright prints but that are ok for work

Ted Baker have some nice structured pieces. This has black but plenty of pink:
www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/GILANNO-Magnificent-V-neck-bodycon-dress-Black/p/154789-BLACK

I may be wrong but I’m picturing you in a bright pink dress and in the sea of navy and you can expect in financial services you may feel a bit conspicuous. I work in financial services and also like colour, I find a good mix is a navy or black pencil skirt with a bright top or shirt. Hush and mint velvet both do nice work clothes, as do Zara. Agree with a pp, boden also do colourful and work appropriate dresses and skirts.

You should buy a navy dress suit and see how the other EAs dress before buying anything else. In financial services an EA is often the ‘face’ of a CEO not just internally but externally too. You will be expected to take notes at meetings and meet regulators / media etc - I have seen EA reputations ruined by wearing pink (and projecting the wrong image) and that will happen quicker to you as you are young and new.

Congratulations on the new job! Agree re Boden - also Hobbs, Phase Eight, Jaeger, Jigsaw, and Reiss. Lots of sales at the moment!
I do think crumble82 and Teddybear give sensible advice - navy basics flatter most people and just create a more professional impression.
Maybe get your pink dress and save it - you can always wear it for the Christmas party? www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/bronte-ottoman-dress-dark-rose/sty-j0235-pnk?cat=C1_S2_G4

Winser London? I like their dresses.

If you want to be taken seriously at work I would leave the pink for weekends especially as you are so young.

I never wear grey, black or navy

If you're working in a formal environment as an EA in Financial Services, you may need to reconsider this.