Advice for an hour glass/pear shaped lady needing a lovely dress, please

[Dizzy2014]

I am going to a graduation in October and I am getting very anxious as I cannot find anything I like that & that fits me nicely. On a previous post I was told to look at wedding guest clothing minus the hat!
I am 50+, size12-14, 5ft 7 brown hair with bleached highlights, I am a winter colouring. I have tried on so many dresses that look OK or awful.
This dress looked nice, I do need to lose some tummy, what do you think? www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_008020130643_-1
and this bolero www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_63430+34142501_-1
I have this dress on order. www.damselinadress.co.uk/feather_print_dress_navy_multi.htm?trackterm=feather+dress
If not these dresses can anyone give suggestions please, I have 4 weeks!

Thank you xx

That first dress is too lacy and revealing for a graduation I think. You will be frozen in it in October. You really don't need anything too fancy. Trousers and a top would be fine too. I wore a dress from Phaseeight to my DDs graduation, with a light jacket.

What colours do you wear as a winter. I have no clue what to start looking for.

The second dress is better but will need a proper jacket. I think you need to think 'business wear' for a graduation, it's a professional achievement not a personal occasion (like a wedding / christening / party).

That first dress is not appropriate in my opinion. I think you would be better off with something less wedding-y and more tailored. Also you will be outside for a bit I would imagine so something warmer.
Ask the personal shopper at John Lewis or similar. They don't charge.

I am an hourglass and I find skirt and top works a million times better. Dresses just never seem to fit right. Skirts sit beautifully on waist/hips, much more flattering. I'd start with a skirt them get a simple classy top to go with it, you may be able to make it look like a dress if that's important to you.

I am an hourglass and I find lots of dresses do fit beautifully if they are cut to come in at the waist.
I went to Debenhams and the girl worked tirelessly to find me a lovely dress for ds2's holy communion.

I'm an hourglass and the same height as you. I do think those dresses are quite dressy for a graduation, when I have attended graduations of others I've worn a skirt and jacket. A velvet blazer would be really nice for wintertime.

It's a no for the first dress - that's a party dress. You probably want something with 3/4 sleeves. Try m&s or Boden. A wrap dress would look good if you can wear stretch (jersey) dresses (I can't, fabric doesn't suit me). For October and seeing as you're a Winter I would go for navy, grey or black. Floral or prints on or in these colours would be nice to lift it. If you want to play it safe, a black wrap dress with pearls or statement necklace would balance your figure. You don't say if you're attending as a guest or a graduate. If a guest then you'll likely need a coat more than a jacket. If so try to get a dressy coat (not a weatherproof type). A belted coat maybe with fur trim would be nice. Wear comfortable courts.

Thank you all, I am a guest attending the graduation. I suit jewel colours. The graduation is not in a church but we are going to have to walk a bit so I will wear a coat.

Are you going out for lunch afterwards? I would say a comfortable smart casual dress you can wear again would be right. This is what I wore to a summer graduation.

I didn't wear those sandals though.

Boden is great for smarting jersey dresses with sleeves which would be perfect for a graduation ceremony. Lots here that would suit an hourglass: m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses?categories=532&viewby=Styles&sort=StaffFavourite&viewtype=large&page=1