Dress for daughters graduation?

[Janus]

I think it has to be a bit formal but not ridiculously so.

I bought this as I saw holly willoughby in it (I don’t even like her and she’s about 6 inches taller than me 😂) so I’m not sure it’s going to suit …

I’m 5ft4 and between a size 10 and 12. I don’t want something with very small straps or strapless, am rubbish in heels too so will wear flats.

Any ideas please?!

I’ll be dragging something out of the back of the wardrobe.

That’s very nice.

I imagine I may do the same @JayAlfredPrufrock as really I want to be comfortable and it’s not about me but I’d like to look half presentable incase others make a big effort!!

I’m no sure I’ll continue to be a slight embarrassment to her.

I wore this dress with this coat.

Sorry dress attached. Neither was bought specially.

I recall most people had made an effort. Not full on weddingy dressy but it was more dressy than my own graduation at the same university in the early 80s.

Thanks @KimikosNightmare , where is the dress from? I am hoping as it’s July I won’t need a coat, I’m really hoping to be honest as don’t want to have to buy a ‘naice’ coat too!!

It was Edina Ronay but it would only be available as made to order from the archive. Your dress is lovely and will be fine.

I know they are a bit Marmite on here but a shawl or pashmina? I always think coats are difficult with dresses as the dress should be the main event and a coat hides it. It was cold on the day so I did need the coat.

Oh thank you @KimikosNightmare , I will look at some kind wrap just incase!

Where is the dress from OP? it's very nice!

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz its from annelouiseboutique I hadn’t heard of it before but has some lovely dresses.
annelouiseboutique.com/products/windsor-dress-waitlist

Both of mine graduated in June and the weather was hideous for both. For DS I wore a black silk shirt dress and needed a raincoat - our umbrellas turned inside out; for dd's I wore a Seasalt dress and needed a coatigan over it.

More well dressed for work than wedding imo.

I love that dress, I have the Oasis version in black satin. I run graduation ceremonies and would wear this to the ceremony, our students and their guests really dress up so you wouldn't look out of place.

@emmaw1405 it didn’t suit me at all!
do you think this dress with some nude heels is still ‘posh enough’??

Watching for tips. Never been to a graduation before and I have absolutely no idea what to expect or what to wear!

I wore a navy linen summer dress to DS1, with heels and a nice bag and jewellery to dress it up a bit. I live the orange dress, think you would get loads of wear out of it after graduation since it can be dressed up or down.
Ive got DS2 graduation this summer - I don't want to go too formal since I'll never wear it again. Think I'm going for a summer dress too and tarting it up with accessories.

Really surprised at suggestions that it isn't a formal event. At the ones in the city where we live most people dress similar to going to a christening or if out for afternoon tea at posh hotel, eg. The orange dress is lovely for holiday but not very smart.
What does your daughter think?

@Acunningruse daughter has told me time and time again that hers is not formal, I don’t how she’d know but there you go! I think the dress can be made a bit smarter by a big chunky bracelet and nude heels and a bag. Although I don’t know much about these things!!

I wore jeans to my own graduation.

Most people were wearing shift type dresses.

At DS1 graduation, people were in dresses, blouses and trousers, jumpsuits. Obviously the smart end of smart casual, but not full on wedding guest dresses. I went to DHs graduation ceremony in a formal, floral wedding guest dress and felt very overdone.

Thank you @Zpoa and @ImAvingOops I want to be comfortable, I have the dress anyway and it’s really nice so I know I’d wear it again.

I have this Seasalt dress, which I can dress up with sandals and a jacket, or this green dress, but I don't have anything suitable to wear over it.

@RampantIvy i really like both but if I had to choose I’d go for green (I do love all things green though!!). I am praying for good weather! If not I’ll be panic buying some kind of blazer and taking a brolly!!

I love the green dress. I will need a jacket/cardigan to go over it.