Graduation outfit

[BryanAdamsLeftAnkle]

I finally get to graduate 2 years after I finish my course (bloody covid).

What outfit do I get? I'm a size 18. Very frumpy with no real style. Big boobs and tummy. I prefer skirts skimming my knees. I don't mind cleavage. I'm not hugely confident....

Can you go shopping with me. No budget restrictions although it's just for a day so I don't want to go too mad.

Looking forward to suggestions

I was pregnant at my graduation, I bought a gorgeous rather expensive blue dress from Seraphine. I kept the dress, and have worn it since now I'm back to pre pregnancy size and I still love it just as much despite it being a maternity occassion dress, it looks just as beautiful and hangs well still.

Is it a graduation where you wear an academic gown over what you wear?

Proper subfusc is a white shirt - fairly sturdy (ie fitted and in not too thin fabric) because you have to anchor the gown, and black skirt or trousers.

But in practice people wear anything, though I wouid still recommend something that can't possibly slip from your shoulders even with a gown on

Congratulations!

I found when I had a similar occasion and sounds like a similar fashion challenge that for me a simple 50's style dress worked well. (So fitted at waist, long sleeves and fuller skirt to skim over the stomach. And then some really beautiful shoes.

Something like this maybe (obviously in whatever colour suits you)

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/royal-blue-vintage-a-line-crossover-3-4-sleeve-tea-swing-dress

Or get to John Lewis and book a stylist and they will bring you lots of different things to try!

When I graduated we had to wear dark business attire, so skirt, blouse and jacket in my case (the jacket is needed because the gowns are designed to be worn with one shape wise. They were pretty strict and we were told no bright colours (no one tried to wear them). I think it's more liberal now but you can't go wrong along those lines - most the men either wore the suit they already had or a new one bought for starting work

I'm in exactly the same position - graduating 16th March 2022 when I should have graduated in the summer of 2020. I'm wearing this dress www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/jolie-moi/wrap-front-jersey-maxi-dress-red-multi I'm a size 20 and it feels great. It's a heavier fabric so hangs well. It's skims so doesn't cling and I felt great in it when I tried it on. I also felt I would get lots of wear out of it afterwards. Whatever you choose to wear, congratulations on graduation, we've waited a long time for this, and if like me, you've probably had your graduation cancelled at least twice, it's been quite a battle to get there!

Yes I will wear an academic black gown with a red neckline. I haven't been given a list of rules yet although that will no doubt follow.

Part of me is grateful to finally be getting to graduate and get my photos etc. The other part of me thinks.... Mehhhh I'm 2.5 years down the line I have been working and I should just leave it.

So I'm forcing myself to go.

Hi, I've been to lots of graduations (was a lecturer).
Unless the university has a set of rules most undergrads do use it as an excuse to dress up.
DD2 graduates next year (big city Russell group uni) and is already planning her outfit (and mine ha).
Some people do wear officey things but it's less common. It's totally different to when I graduated.
I know some universities have a dress code but lots don't.
Yes if you wear a dress your gown will slip over your shoulders, I used to wear a plain black Collectif 50s dress and safety pin mine.
What would you feel confident in? Dress/skirt or trousers and a top?

@Lallybroch I think you'll look lovely in that.

HeatherShiver thank you, it actually feels a little unreal now it's happening. I still expect it to be cancelled like the previous ones.