I need a dress for my sons graduation. Any ideas?

[Pagwatch]

I have never attended a graduation.

I need a dress for 9.00am ceremony and then lunch with ds and hs best friends from uni and their parents.

I want something knee length and ok for whatever weather gets thrown at us in mid July
I like this because it's easy but I fear twenty squillion lk Bennett dresses poncing around town that morning

Size 10/12. No boobs. Arms are good but knee length is vital.

Has anyone seen anything gorgeous?
I'm so proud of my son and I want him to be proud of me ( in ways other than my generally being awesome )

Cross posted.

Sorry, karl, hope you're over it by now. I'd feel the same if it'd been me.

;)

I also never realised I had to dress up for dd graduation . I don't have to think about it until next summer but I assumed I could wear anything smartish , not necessarily a dress .

You don't have to wear a dress, ggirl. Just something you feel smart/right for the occasion in.

I work at a university and you see all sorts at graduations. From Mother of the Bride types to smart casual. Honestly, just wear something you feel lovely in and you'll be fine. Don't stress about it, just enjoy the day.

Depends also how posh the lunch destination is.

This has made me think, it's DD's graduation in a couple of weeks in a cathedral (in Pags hometown ) and I hadn't even thought what to wear. It's my nieces wedding two days before and DD is a bridesmaid so have been concentrating on that. There's a reception with buffet afterwards.
Do men wear suit and tie or smart trousers and shirt without a tie?

I've been to 2 and some mums were relatively casual- trying too hard is ageing and looks a bit odd, thought might be more acceptable if it's Oxbridge!

I'd do a web search OP on these:

Phase 8
Jigsaw
Hobbs
White Stuff
BODEN!!!

Don't wear anything that looks as if you are going to a wedding. Comfy shoes and high heels will stick into the lawns if you are on any!

Be prepared for rain too with a coact/ cardi and brolly.

This has been really helpful - thanks.

Loads of these are great which is encouraging. I like the bird one and I tend to avoid phase 8 too.
The Tory burch ones are nice, and the Vivienne Westwood. I've had a look at Hobbs on line and they have quite a few.

I might go to somewhere like Selfrigdes where i could try quite a few of these on.

I agree about making sure it isn't too dressed up. I think it could all end up mother of the bride which is not what I want. A knee length summer dress would be fine but I haven't seen one that doesn't make me look like 'whatever happened to baby Jane?'

It is going to be a fairly posh two days. It's in Exeter and we are staying near the cathedral.
I always wear dresses btw. It's a quirk. I own zero trousers and about 4 skirts. Every other item is a dress.
I'm not suggesting that everyone should dress up. It's just quite exciting for me. And I like feeling - well, elegant I suppose. I can't do that brilliant effortless jeans and a crisp shirt or a beautiful top. I wish I could.

(ds2 crisis is all sorted and he's off to school - thanks for your good wishes about him. I won't have any graduation angst there which is one plus I suppose )

Of course it's exciting. I think people just forget - honestly, anyone who doesn't get excited at their children graduating needs a good shake!

Congratulations to your DS.

Thanks LRD

I did venture out today .

I found these two ...
Is the orange hideous?
The blue is very comfy but it would need to be a mild day - not too hot ..

Prefer the orange, Pag. The blue looks a bit dull/Thatcher-esque.

You have a lovely figure btw.

Ooh ... I prefer the blue, I think it's lovely. But they are both good. You should probably go with remus who knows what she's talking about!

Thatcher-esque

The orange one is jaeger. In the sale.
It might be ok and I'd wear it again.
Hmm..

Thanks

Honestly, I know nothing - but I am biased because I don't like blue much.

The blue one is Hobbs £39!

I might just get that and a shit load of wine for the train.

£39 is an amazing price and it does look nice, but...but...I always imagine you as somebody a bit zanier than dull blue!

Both a bit Carole vorderman.

Ah, how do you know it's not me - Carol ?

[sigh]
Yeah, she has breasts desn't she?

I'll go to selfridges.
I'll take my notebook with 'would carol wear this' and 'would Maggie have one of these' and avoid those.

I did find a fairly plain Temperley dress at home that might work. I'll try and find a picture of it.

its similar to this but it's knee length on me

Loving the orange .

They're too done up.

I like the Temperley one but wd want it mini length and would wear for night not day time, personally.