Graduation Mum Outfit Blues

[Verbena17]

Hi
So it’s DD’s graduation next week and I’ve kind of left any kind of outfit planning to this week.

I live in jeans and jersey tops day to day as a SAHM, and all I do is housework and dog walking and rarely go anywhere that requires anything more formal.
Im not in good shape and have a tummy that’s too big and legs that only allow for maxi length skirts/dresses and wide leg trousers.

I have a maxi dress that’s black on top with a black/cream crisscross skirt section and so I’ve got a hip length cream cardi coming today to possibly wear with the dress. Would that do?

If not, I’ve got some black wide leg trousers which I could wear with a floral blouse- so I’m not in all black and merging with her graduation gown- or I’ve got a deep red/cream print sea salt skirt, which I could wear with a a basic top and the cream cardi?

Someone tell me if those options sound fine?

DD was sending me Pinterest pics of ‘grad moms’ wearing posh frocks/evening/cocktail dresses but that’s not me…..I was like err 😬😩

Any of these would do. I would recommend you are comfortable and cool as graduation goes on forever and the halls always seem to be boiling. I've attended a number of graduations and people dress in anything from wedding type apparel to jeans and t shirts. There is no particular dress code. Just go and enjoy your DDs achievement.

They sound fine, could you get a jacket rather than a cardigan to make it a bit smarter?

Phew! Thanks @ApolloandDaphne - that’s sounds good then.
I actually get really panicky when wearing anything remotely formal nowadays, as I just feel ‘not me’ in anything other than jeans 😂.

Hopefully I’ll look ok enough in one of those options then.

Grad moms

All of those options you suggested sound absolutely fine! I work next to a university and I assure you not once have I seen a mum of a graduand in an evening gown 🤣

I would aim for what you would wear to a christening or afternoon tea in a smart hotel level. Dress and jacket maybe rather than cardigan? Especially if it's going to be cooler.

Is this your seasalt dress, or similar? This with a cream/off white / beige blazer would be absolutely perfect.

Not a jacket person really and my top arms are larger than I’d like, so I think it’ll be a nightmare finding sleeves that aren’t tight and fidgety. A fine knit, fitted cardi makes me feel secure and smaller i think 😂

@ashamedofmybehaviour no, the sea salt skirt is a maxi skirt, similar but not the same as this…

This is the maxi dress I already have and thecream cardi coming today

All your outfits sound ideal. Really, most people don’t dress up beyond perhaps wearing a dress rather than jeans, or a shirt rather than a tshirt. Social media is feeding the idea to youngsters that everyone has to be done up to the nines. If people want to dress smarter than usual, it’s a nice opportunity to do so, but it’s absolutely not obligatory nor would you stand out if not ready for the Ritz.

your cardigan would be fine.

All of those are fine.

Think afternoon tea attire. It's not posh evening do.

Do you think by sending you links your DD is hoping you might get something new, rather than wearing you already have? Even if her suggestions are wide of the mark I wonder if she is hoping you will see this as a huge occasion and accordingly buy something new, if that is an option financially?

@ashamedofmybehaviour oh no, not at all. I asked her what she thought and she said wear what you want mum, then did a Google. She wasn’t sure either and really wasn’t hinting about me buying something new. I’ve had many gowns in the past due to DH’s military career so it’s not like I have never worn anything formal - quite the opposite. Just more recently, I don’t now need to dress up anymore, other than the odd meal out or wedding /funeral 😬, do I’ve minimalised my wardrobe a lot.
My military dinner gowns are all too formal, I feel…if they even fit 😬

I love the black and cream maxi dress! Perfect for a graduation. Where did you get it?

Thanks @HolyStyleFailBatman it was from Hobbs quite a long time ago. I’ve only worn it twice before.

Special occasion dressing does mean pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, though.

All your outfits sound ideal. Really, most people don’t dress up beyond perhaps wearing a dress rather than jeans, or a shirt rather than a tshirt

From a university academic that has attended more than her fair share of graduation ceremonies, I can assure you that they most certainly do!

If it helps I wore a green boden dress , think aftnoon tea style and white trainers to my ds grad this year it fitted in fine. Comfy shoes are essential due to the walking and standing normally involved!

I was dreading DSs a couple of months back as I too am a jeans/jumper person, and overweight to boot!
I wore a very ordinary midi wrap dress and cardigan, which was dressed up for me! I honestly felt fine in the end - there were people in jeans, very smart dresses, suits, outfits from their own heritage, and everything else in between. Just make sure you're comfortable, and wear comfortable shoes!!

I'd wear any of those outfits to a graduation (possibly not the black wide leg trousers as that's what I tend to live in at work)

Love that cardigan, where is it from? It's giving off Sezanne vibes.

I think it depends on the university. I wore a dress with a long silk unlined soft jacket (from Chesca) and chunky heels and was very underdressed compared to many of the other mums. But I was comfortable, looked OK in the photos (I hate having my photo taken) and DC was happy with my choice. Some of the overseas parents looked like they were going to a very formal wedding complete with hats! All the men were in suits with ties. This was a London uni not Oxford or Cambridge!

£19.99 H&M 😉

It’s quite a rural uni in a small city and not a Russell Group uni.

Leeds July 2024

Thanks @fernsandlilies - lots of dresses but the weather was different. It’s going to be sunny but cool next week.

I have been to loads of graduations do not over do it, it’s not a wedding reception. I was always in robes. DH looks like Benjamin Bunny in his hat. In Korea I think the students can wear anything and turn up in full cosplay and all sorts.

Any of those outfits will do.