Spring may be refusing to, er, spring, but it is still possible to turn up the heat with some of the most summery floral prints and sizzling hot colours in the stores.

Stepping out of it's big sister Topshop's shadow is Dorothy Perkin's, who is having a Luella moment and a half. If you can get away with DP's Ditsy print dress for work then you should. They're also selling the best copies of Prada floral tops and dresses I have seen on the high street. Ruffles and bright prints are huge at the moment, and DP's is the best place around for both workwear and post-work barwear.

Wallis's limited collection is also worth a look if you are feeling brave colourwise, as are the many tea dresses from Topshop in multiple color (again, if you can get away with them).

For a more pared-down look with just the right pop of colour, head to Reiss, and for a more affordable Marc Jacobs-style block across both skirts and dresses, check out H&M or oli.co.uk.

It may be grey outside but you can still be in bloom in the office!

Here Is The Writer : Charlotte Fordham

Charlotte is a recruitment manager at a rather large, rather global bank. She made the switch to banking after several years of recruiting for the fashion industry. Charlotte is now using her fashion contacts to look beyond the corporate dress code and ask, "Can you ever look Sexy in The City?" We're very much hoping the answer is YES.

view more articles by Charlotte Fordham

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