Formal wear help for graduation - very mature student

[revealall]

Right my graduation in 2 weeks requires "formal" wear.

So in 2013 was does that mean? I like skirts and dresses but it's summer and how formal can you be without tights (I don't like thin tights at all). What formal shoes go with summer skirts?

I'm over 45 so most shirts /blouses are going to make me look frumpy. added to which are hoods are purple and white!! I'm quite sallow.

Please help!

My daughter and all her friends wore knee length, tailored, business-type dresses. They were mostly plain not patterned and colours rather than black or dark.

This is the type of thing they wore OP

Ah Ok that could work thank you. But what colour works with purple black and white?
Is a white dress too dressy rather than formal?

I don't think you should really try to match with your gown or you could look a bit too co-ordinated IYSWIM. I've had a look at our photos, DDs friends all had black robes then the hoods had coloured trim according to their course. Nobody clashed but nobody matched either; DDs trim was red and orange, her dress was royal blue, DDs best friend had orange and deep purpley blue, she wore a white dress. Would a bright colour be too much for you, like cerise, lime green or orange? (Bear in mind you will only see a tiny bit of the dress) If you want muted what about a light grey or blue?