Graduation Guest Outfit

[ElizaJones]

DD is graduating in a few weeks and I’m struggling to find something to wear.

I don’t have much confidence in how I look at the moment, I have put on quite a bit of weight and I’m now a size 20.
I don’t want to go too dressy but want to look smart.

I just seem to have lost my mojo!!

I have no solutions but have the same problem.... graduation in 3 weeks and nothing to wear!

Lots of women wore patterned maxi or midi dresses, flat sandals and looked comfortable and smart. Others were a bit more dressed up with knee length dresses and jackets and heels.
I was in the first group and felt just right, it was a hot afternoon and evening.

I wouldn't worry too much - there will be a big variation in what people are wearing.

At one end of the scale there will be people dressed like they're off to a wedding, and others in jeans, and everything in between. What would you normally wear if you went out for lunch with friends for example?

I’ve been to a few graduation and never seen a guest wearing jeans.

Definitely not jeans. But a clean, tidy dress you feel comfortable in will certainly be acceptable. It doesn’t have to be ‘wedding guest’ smart . I wore a shirt dress to dd’s graduation a few weeks ago with a pair of wedge espadrilles.

Summer dresses are fine, wear a jacket or rain coat depending on weather (ours is outside!)

Yes not jeans but anything else goes, no need to buy anything new

What do you feel best in?

the look of pride on your face will be thing people notice, honest.

I do love long dresses but I’ve become use to living in jeans and now don’t feel very confident.

Do you have anything in your wardrobe you like? If so could you practice wearing it so that you feel more comfortable wearing it?
If not the shops are filled with suitable summer dresses. I know it’s easier said than done but you will have such a lovely day you will be too busy enjoying yourself to worry about what you are wearing. Choose something comfortable and ‘you’. I wore a dress from Matalan for one DC’s graduation and a midi dress from Next for the one I went to this May. I looked absolutely fine.

I would get a long dress then. There’s lots about and you will feel special because you’re a little bit dolled up.

I’ve recently left HE having worked in the sector for years. Lots of guests turn up in jeans so wear what’s comfortable for you.

I live in jeans too and hate to buy outfits that won’t get a lot of wear so I’d go in jeans, a statement top and a nice jacket. Could you book a personal styling appointment at John Lewis to see if they can offer any inspiration?

I wore wide leg linen trousers, with a top and multicoloured jacket. Small clutch bag and open toe sandals. It was very hot and outfit was fine. 2nd and 3rd graduations, smart black trousers, heels, box jackets, and plain tops under jackets. Small clutch bags and nice hair and make up. All fine and suitable. One woman wore a hat and was definitely out of place!

Don't wear jeans, it's a formal event. Sunday Best with some lipstick, sorted 😊

M&S have some nice floral maxi dresses in at the moment.

I have just been to a graduation and I worried too. There were a variation of outfits from smart dresses and jackets similar to wedding guest attire without the hat, but also some wearing smart casual, long maxi dresses/skirts with cardigans.
Some were also wearing smart cropped trousers with long blouses/tunics. No one looked out of place, I think you can easily dress outfits up with shoes, bags and jewellery.

As long as you look smart and make sure you feel comfortable in what you are wearing.
One thing I would advise is not to wear heels. There is a lot of standing and walking and I also saw a couple of people struggling on the grass. Definitely go for maybe a wedge heel or smart sandals.

My friend had a really positive experience with the John Lewis personal shopper. It is a free appointment and she actually got an outfit she would never thought to have tried on. Maybe worth booking one?

Hobbs and boden currently have a sale. They do some lovely outfits. Also, I have found that next is very reasonable for long maxi/midi dresses.