Graduation type ceremony outfit

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

I need outfit help please

I am attending a formal ceremony, a bit like a graduation but a professional qualification, I am one of the "graduates", I will have to wear a black graduation robe but not mortarboard and no "hood".

I am early 40s (most will be 20s). I'm on the tall side, a size 16 with good legs, big boobs and too much of a tummy.

Due to travel I need comfy shoes, and it is likely to be cold out. I do have a nice dark grey wool short coat which I will almost certainly wear.

Dress code is business attire but due to Covid and increasingly relaxed work dress codes my business attire has been languishing at the back of the wardrobe for quite a long time, and much of it is now rather snug.

I'm looking for ideas, advice, suggestions, pictures and links are especially welcome! I'm happy to wear existing stuff or buy new but I am just not sure what.

If I buy new I would like it to be stuff I could wear for other occasions.

What’s your budget?

I would go somewhere like phase 8 and ask the assistants to help, giving the guidance you have written above. Also needs to look good in photos and not date (you may use the photo professionally in years to come?)

You're not going to want to wear your coat under your gown indoors are you? That would make it bulky. What about a smart jersey wrap dress in your preferred colours that will look good under the gown but also under your coat for later.

Disclaimer: I do occasional work as a gowner on graduations.

The gowns from hire companies are generally polyester and can get very hot. Also they are heavily gathered across the shoulders/ top of the back and have a lot of weight in the fabric. If you wear anything too silky/ smooth you may find the whole thing slides back off your shoulders.

@waltzingparrot

You're not going to want to wear your coat under your gown indoors are you? That would make it bulky. What about a smart jersey wrap dress in your preferred colours that will look good under the gown but also under your coat for later.

No the coat is just for travel there and back.

I was thinking a dress might be the easiest option, a wrap style would be worth considering.

@Blossomtoes

What’s your budget?

It depends a bit upon what it is and how likely I am to rewear. I would prefer under £100 for a dress. I would spend more on a suit but I don't really want a suit.

I don't really want to buy a new coat. I can consider footwear separately though.

@Foofbrush

Disclaimer: I do occasional work as a gowner on graduations.

The gowns from hire companies are generally polyester and can get very hot. Also they are heavily gathered across the shoulders/ top of the back and have a lot of weight in the fabric. If you wear anything too silky/ smooth you may find the whole thing slides back off your shoulders.

Getting hot was one reason I didn't really want a suit, the other being bulk both under the gown and under a coat while traveling.

My uni graduations I wore a suit but I was MUCH thinner, and I didn't need a coat.

I am hoping it won't drag back too badly without the hood part. I remember them dragging back from uni, and I was glad to have a fitted jacket to attach it to but I don't think these will be as bad. I will avoid anything too silky though.

a lot of the girls at my son's graduations had dresses. I cant remember them wearing suits

How about a pop of colour

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-bree-ruched-neck-midi-dress-fuchsia/p5498012

[quote waltzingparrot]How about a pop of colour

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-bree-ruched-neck-midi-dress-fuchsia/p5498012[/quote]
Beautiful colour but the neckline would be an absolute hard no for me. It would make my boobs look huge and matronly as well as making me feel strangled. Plus it will be winter, so even indoors I don't really want bare arms.

DD wore a plain black knee length dress from M&S for her graduations. She wore the same dress each time. Short sleeves and round neck. Think it was around £40 and goes in washing machine. Pair of black court shoes that she changed into at the venue.

I went through this a few years ago. I ended up buying a smart dress from Cos that had buttons all the way through that the gown attached easily too. I wore it with tights and ballet pumps. It was winter and I was toasty warm.

I’ve just graduated after my Masters and wore a wrap dress, I’m short and fat (5ft 2 and an 18) and honestly looked bloody fabulous . Go for something you feel comfy in, wrap dresses can sometimes feel quite booby so if that bothers you then think about coverage. I wore black knee boots as well with a small block heel and I was really comfy.

Congratulations and well done!

Something like this would be lovely www.dorothyperkins.com/red-spot-wrap-midi-dress/AQQ42363.html

[quote GrealishHairband]Something like this would be lovely www.dorothyperkins.com/red-spot-wrap-midi-dress/AQQ42363.html[/quote]
That's nice

I wonder if I am a little early for more wintery dresses, there seem to be lots of short sleeves still. I would like an elbow length or three quarter sleeve ideally.

I do have a suitable plain black dress but I thought it might look a bit like I am off to a funeral.

There are loads of winter dresses about but honestly no one will notice what yiu have in under the gown so I would try to wear what yiu already have

maybe ...www.joebrowns.co.uk/striking-statement-dress-we452#colour=229
?

I was planning on wearing (degree graduation,I'm 48)
Smart black trousers
A silky high necked t-shirt shaped top

Then gown on top

Not seen anything that says I must wear a dress?

@burnoutbabe

I was planning on wearing (degree graduation,I'm 48) Smart black trousers A silky high necked t-shirt shaped top

Then gown on top

Not seen anything that says I must wear a dress?

You don't have to wear a dress, why would you have to?

I suggested these two dresses to a mum attending her daughters graduation earlier today. Both elegant but ideal for winter.

Just no one had mentioned trousers at all as an option for the op or anyone they knew.

It’s all about the shoes. No one will be able to notice much of what is under the gown.

@Jumpingintochristmas

I suggested these two dresses to a mum attending her daughters graduation earlier today. Both elegant but ideal for winter.

Wallis is a great shout, I'm not keen on the cut of the skirt on the green wrap dress but they have lots of nice dresses.