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Original poster

Help with finding DD a dress for her graduation

104 replies

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 13:02

DD1 (22) is graduating in October. She has asked me to help her find a dress.

She is a size 8. 5ft 2. Olive skin, green eyes and very long dark hair that she may wear up.

Her usual style is quite quirky; think boho meets Little House on the Prairie meets pastel Goth with a bit of punk thrown in (Vivienne Westwood would be her dream designer).

She usually wears greens, lilac, oranges, pinks. She likes brights and pastels and patterns (florals mostly but tartan and check too). She is looking for a dress definitely. Either just above the knee or ballerina length. She wants to tone down her usual look, but still be herself.

Budget up to £300. But would prefer less.

Many thanks for any help.

OP posts:
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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 15:43

Just bumping this for a bit of assistance. I have seen so many great suggestions on here and I’m at a bit of a loss as to where she should be looking.

DD has achieved so much. She missed out on lots of the fun teenage things (prom, clubbing etc) as she was in the grips of life threatening anorexia. Then covid hit just as her recovery was properly established. So this is a chance for us to really celebrate her.

OP posts:
MadAboutIt · 05/08/2023 15:52

Have you looked on eBay for actual VW dresses in size 8? There are a few in your budget that might suit. She’d feel a million dollars in a VW dress on the day.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 16:06

Thank you so much. I had not thought of that. Got a bit of brain fog about it. For various reasons (death of my mum who would have loved to be there, thinking back to when DD was so sick) it all feels a bit overwhelming. I know that sounds silly. It’s just a dress. But it kind of feels a big deal.

Thanks again. I’ll check them out.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 16:10

The first All Saints one is a possibility. She does wear short but doesn’t want very short for her graduation.

The idea of second hand VW is inspired. I’ll go search.

OP posts:
eddiemairswife · 05/08/2023 16:11

Make sure she has shoes she can actually walk in, as opposed to hobbling across the stage.

TheOGCCL · 05/08/2023 16:16

Hobbling across stage also risks falling over in front of everyone, often steps to get up and down.

Do you know what colour gown she will be wearing? I'm guessing mainly black but the silk bit down either side. You can probably look at previous grad ceremony pictures. As could be nice to coordinate or at least not clash.

Hairstyle will need to accommodate the mortar board so you want something that wouldn't get messed up by that.

fernsandlilies · 05/08/2023 16:27

wow RoseBucket, that dress is a steal!

MerryMarigold · 05/08/2023 16:28

fernsandlilies · 05/08/2023 16:10

House of Holland? maybe a bit too pop
https://www.houseofholland.co.uk/collections/dresses-skirts

Some of these are gorgeous. I love the star one.

MerryMarigold · 05/08/2023 16:33

I loved BIBA stuff in my 20s. There's quite a bit on Vinted, some is even new.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 16:34

I don’t know what colour the lining is. Good shout to find out.

She usually wears DMs. She will need to practice walking in something else. She used to do classical ballet and has great posture and balance though. Much better than mine!

She is good at doing her hair. Probably a low bun will cope with the mortar board.

There are some great suggestions here. Thanks again. And for taking an interest.

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sadtoday1 · 05/08/2023 16:38

I ❤️ that tartan one!

GoodOnPaper · 05/08/2023 16:45

Light colours will contrast more with the gown and worth remembering most of the dress will be hidden under the gown in official photos so think about the neckline, length and great shoes for full length pics!

GrumpyOldCrone · 05/08/2023 17:18

Are there any guidelines from the university? When I graduated we were told we had to wear a dark skirt (or trousers) and a white shirt. I think a dark coloured dress would also have been allowed. But that was about 30 years ago and things may have changed.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 17:25

The only guidance is “dress up”. She is graduating in art so that might influence both the dress code and the style of others I suppose.

OP posts:
MatthewBroderick · 05/08/2023 17:30

I don’t know about dresses but please remember to take safety pins so that you can pin the capey bit in place and not have it pulling back on her neck. They have loops which fit into shirt buttons it nothing if you’re not in a shirt.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 17:48

Thank you for reminding me. This exact thing happened to me 28 years ago. I had totally forgotten. My outfit was a royal blue skirt and top from Principles. It’s in my loft actually. But I won’t be looking it out for DD! Although it was actually quite flattering as I recall. I splurged in nice shoes that I wore for about a decade hence.

OP posts:
katienana · 05/08/2023 17:51

Its definitely changed, I graduated in 2005 and it was business wear, but the graduates now dress up as though they are going on a night out/day at at the races kind of vibe.

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