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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:
Thread gallery
10
Pinkitydrinkity · 05/08/2023 18:03

Ooh I’d look at Rixo, Reformation or Realisation Par.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 18:04

Thank you. I did not know what the name of the dress was. That’s really helpful.

OP posts:
whatthefreshhell · 05/08/2023 18:15

Nancy Mac? They do vintage types stuff. 40's

yikesanotherbooboo · 05/08/2023 18:27

Huge variety of outfits for girls at DS's graduation. Very few were wearing business wear . My observation would be that a lot of skin looks strange and that if the dress needs holding in place the gown on top will make you look uncomfortable. Bright colours look good under black and can be above knee to midi length.Wear shoes you can easily walk in ; there were lots of block heeled sandals and shiny boots on show. Stilettos looked silly particularly when paired with a very tight dress.Young men were mainly in business suits.

NatashaDancing · 05/08/2023 18:28

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.

When I graduated it was black knee length dress or black skirt and white blouse. My son graduated from the same university in 2019 and he wore a dark formal suit, white shirt and tie. I didn't notice what the women were wearing but photos online of last year's ceremony are still formal suits and black or black and white knee length dresses.

MatthewBroderick · 05/08/2023 18:35

We were just told smart or formal wear (recommended- the only requirement was to be the right gown) and people wore all sorts, from jeans to suits to evening dress to national dress.

ThePoetsWife · 05/08/2023 18:55

What colour is her gown hood? Be nice to make sure it coordinates.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 18:58

Thanks for all responses. We know what the dress code is. I am keen to have some suggestions for a dress in line with my first post. Something a bit boho/Vivienne Westwood ish for a size 8, 5ft 2 young woman. I am very grateful for all suggestions.

Thanks again.

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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 19:02

Had not thought about rental either. Thanks again for the suggestion. It’s all really helpful.

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Ibelieveinyou · 05/08/2023 19:03

Huge congratulations to your daughter on graduating! Have you looked at Anthropologie, there’s some great dresses that might suit her style there?

Riverbananacarrot · 05/08/2023 19:10

Pretty dress company very reasonable well made dresses have tartan patterns as well.

Anontocomment · 05/08/2023 19:16

I just graduated (4 weeks ago!) as a mature student. The advice we were given is something that has a decent shoulder as you'll need to balance the gown and hood. I went with a 1950s style dress from Vivien of Holloway - she does gorgeous dresses, skirts and tops with a 1950s vibe. As for shoes there's absolutely nothing wrong with rocking a pair of DMs with a posh dress. But most definitely avoid anything sky high.

Also, as your DM is no longer here (my condolences) could your DD wear a piece of her jewellery for the ceremony, so that she's there 'in spirit' so to speak?

It's great that your DD has overcome the anorexia and completed her degree.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 19:19

Thank you. I will look at Anthropologie and Pretty Dress Company now.

I love that VW one.

At the moment the winning idea seems to be a second hand VW dress. Does anyone know if the Saturday / Sunday style would be easy to take in as there are lovely ones a size or 2 up? Or what the sizing is like?

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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 19:22

Thank you. And congratulations on completing your own degree. Yes to the jewellery idea. Thank you. My DD and my DM were devoted to each other.

I am glad you think DMs and a posh frock might be OK.

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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 19:23

Just sent DD a link to Vivien of Holloway now! She is very keen.

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neonjumper · 05/08/2023 19:29

Congratulations to your daughter !

I graduated again in January . Take pins to pin the sash to the front of the dress to stop the sash riding up around the neck .

Dress code was dress up but they really emphasised wearing shoes that you can climb the steps in , walk across the stage and stand around in all day !

My own niece wore white platform DM's it's her outfit .

Would be great if you returned to the thread to let us know how things went and what she decided on.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your mum .

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 19:35

Love the last VW one too. I see they do it in purple too.

I shall return to the thread and let you all know what she chooses. Thank you. Any any further suggestions are very welcome.

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TizerorFizz · 05/08/2023 19:46

I think dresses with huge skirts look odd under an academic gown. Also, if you cannot afford VW, copying it is a bit of a cliche. So go for the real think but used. I’m amazed an art student doesn’t know what she likes and can be dressed up for the occasion. What would she choose? My DDs were very opinionated at that age!

EnfysPreseli · 05/08/2023 20:03

At the risk of sounding like a fuddy-daddy (I'm not) I've been to a lot of graduations and there does seem to be a trend among some female graduands for wearing dresses better suited to clubbing. Anything very short, low-cut or with a split is going to be quite hard to manage in a gown. Academic robes are long, aren't comfortable and seem to exaggerate any skin on show and make very high heels look incongruous, especially if the wearer can't walk comfortably or confidently across the stage. Almost without exception the young women who've chosen what would be absolutely amazing for a night out look awkward and uncomfortable as they are called to receive their degrees, which is a real shame. The students in midi dresses or longer, or trousers/palazzo pants and sensible shoes (they can always be swapped for killer heels later) do seem to be more relaxed. I can understand why some universities have chosen to stick to a more conservative dress code.

Monkeymonkeymoo · 05/08/2023 20:15

Maybe something by Self Portrait (they’re slightly over budget but I expect they will have a summer sale): https://www.self-portrait.com/products/blue-chiffon-lace-midi-dress

This Vivienne Westwood dress is a bargain (I haven’t used the site but I’ve looked it up on Trust Pilot and it looks real with a lot of ok reviews): https://www.secretsales.com/649d9586c9e05-vivienne-westwood-womens-vivienne-westwood-anglomania-dress-in-black-black/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjeP6-5vGgAMVE-ztCh0c8QlCEAQYBiABEgL-1fD_BwE