New job...company lunch out...fancy restaurant....outfit help!!!!!

[chummymummy7]

I need your help pleeeease!!!

Having dressed up in anything more than nice leggings for 2 years, I am now facing the ultimate outfit challenge. Work lunch out at posh place!!

I'm 2 months into a new job at an ad agency. The lunch is at a fancy Italian in London. There'll be 5 of us - three male, two female.

What to wear to project professional yet still sightly on-trend? And high heels or flats? And please talk to me about jackets?

Currently flipping between this:

www.newlook.com/row/womens/clothing/dresses/blue-leopard-print-puff-sleeve-belted-midi-dress/p/669788349

and this:

www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/pretty-dayz-set/?category=maxi-dresses&color=018&type=REGULAR&quantity=1&size=XS&fbclid=IwAR0nc6MLGoBRGdVwD06codtR6mquUFseP97egQ457OdUTNkaUqY-lRZca8U

Probably with heels (I'm petite, need them for confidence) and little leather jacket...

Any/all advice appreciated. I've been self-employed since 2008, so this is unfamiliar territory!!

Thank you!!!

I like dress 1. The second is awful (sorry!)
If you're going to wear heels then go for something chunky to make the pretty dress a bit more edgy.
Do you have a leather jacket? That would go well with the black belt of this dress, which I would probs swap for a skinny leather belt or similar.
Enjoy! Ive also just got a 'proper'job after 5 years self employed in marketing so I'm right there with you! Enjoy being part of a team again!

Dress 1 looks perfect for the event. I wouldn't wear the 2nd one to a work lunch, too much cleavage showing.

Dress one. With little heeled ankle boots? Leather jacket sounds good.

Congratulations OP!

I work in the industry and often have ad agency posh lunches- or at least did before lock down! Agree dress 1 is perfect, no 2 isn't nice at all

Dress 1 looks ideal, no heels though, trainers would be best. Plus your leather jacket.

Do you work from home on the day and just going to lunch, or would you be going to the office as well?

TBH I like neither of the dresses (they look like more weekend type dresses), mid week lunch in a fancy London restaurant would be less dress-y. How about jeans and blazer?

@AnaViaSalamanca it's a totally remote based job - I've never even met the company founders as I was hired during lockdown - so I want to hit the right note!

Definitely dress 1. Dress 2 is too low cut and you'll have the taller males looking down into your cleavage...

In that case I would make a more conservative choice and keep it business casual. Your both dresses are on the casual and relaxed side.

Maybe a more structured dress or blazer and dark jeans or leather trousers and white shirt would be better.

Love dress 1...I think it's perfect...!!

[quote chummymummy7]@AnaViaSalamanca it's a totally remote based job - I've never even met the company founders as I was hired during lockdown - so I want to hit the right note![/quote]
Then dress 2 is absolutely a non-starter

When you are petite v necks are a little lower than they appear on those tall models.
The first dress is lovely, and a bargain too

Dress number two is not my cup of tea, and I don’t think it is very appropriate. I do like the first one and think it would be nice with a leather jacket - maybe with flats instead though?

I’d probably be inclined to wear some wide-leg cropped trousers (Cos have lovely ones) with a crew necked top or a shirt, the leather jacket, and brogues.

Another vote for dress 1, but I’d never show belly at a work event.

It’s actually lovely, and just on-trend enough.

Leather jacket very passe and boring now..get a nice cropped blazer in Jersey from Me and Em or Zara have some nice ones
And please God no chunky biker boots.

I like dress one and think that would work well. Part of me is thinking ad agency wouldn't be business smart anyway if you were in the office.
Another look would be some qide legged trousers (marks and soencers have some amazing pink ones and some green ones) with chunky heels and then a white t-shirt with the black leather jacket. Smart yet on trend and with a bit of an edge and showing a bit of personality

I’d say New Look is likely to be a bit cheap for this kind of thing, maybe look at good old John Lewis. Having said that, good shoes, bag and jacket (that I’m sure you’d use for other things) would carry it off. Sounds a bit daunting, hope you get to enjoy a nice lunch

First one with sleek trainers.

I think dress one would be great for the occasion. Dress 2 is pretty but I certainly wouldn’t wear it for a work lunch. That’s more for a summer bar b que. Having said that I’d probably go for some wide legged cropped trousers, a plain top and trendy lace up shoes as someonecels csuggested. Navy and white is always really smart.

What did you wear OP and how did it go?

Congratulations!! 😊 Lovely outfits, couldn’t choose between them. For future back up clothes Zara, H&M and always good for basics. Black trousers/skirt or plain blouses for example could be from anywhere and save you a fortune in label prices.

1st was perfect. I want to know what you wore!

Definitely #1 but it's out of stock according to the web site. #2 is far too informal for a work lunch at a posh restaurant.

@Palavah @Readyorknot
Thanks for commenting!

The lunch is this Friday and I will be wearing........outfit number 1!!! It's sold out online but luckily I'd already grabbed the dress off the sale rail at New Look for a ridiculously cheap 11 quid.

Hoping I'll feel confident and put together, but not too overdressed. Thanks so much for your help everyone

Amazing!! Good luck 🤞🏻