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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.

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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 20:26

Thank you again.

DD certainly knows what she likes and is very distinctive in her style. She does not ordinarily ever confer with her old mother over what to wear. But she has not had this sort of budget for one outfit before and we were both excited to pool our ideas. I am posting here as I’ve seen lots of really good suggestions before on this board. She will be off elsewhere getting her own ideas. I have no intention at all even to attempt to “dress her up”.

I am very grateful for all kind and helpful suggestions.

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Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 20:34

Just sent DD the link to the Self Portrait site. She likes the green cord lace midi dress a lot. But doesn’t want me to spend so much as that. She is excited by the idea of scouting around for vintage VW dresses. We have a bit of time in hand. Not much. But a few weeks.

And that VW dress is a real bargain. She doesn’t really wear black anymore though (bit of a push back from when she was really sick and she wore it a lot).

Thanks again.

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ThePoetsWife · 05/08/2023 21:10

It will be cold and possibly wet in October so near this in mind

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 05/08/2023 21:18

I work a lot of graduations, and most of the ladies in heels are always hobbling in agony by the end of it. Encourage her to wear dms and to dress as herself. People turn up in all sorts. I've even seen men wearing baggy shorts and a crappy t shirt.

You can buy reels of ribbon on ebay, so ribbons in her DMs would bring them up a level. Ultimately, not one single person is going to tell her she wore the wrong thing. I was never encouraged to embrace my own style, so love to try encourage that in others. 💃

NatashaDancing · 05/08/2023 21:23

Jaem23 · 05/08/2023 20:57

Needle and thread do some beautiful dresses in a variety of lengths and they have lots on sale at the moment too!
Need and Thread 😊

For a graduation?

TizerorFizz · 05/08/2023 21:26

Lots of self portrait in the sales at the moment. We spent little on DDs grad dresses really. Only spend loads if it’s going to get a bit of wear.

DonnaDonna0 · 05/08/2023 21:29

Just been to my sons graduation and these days anything goes. Some girls had the most beautiful dresses and DM’s

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 21:31

Thank you all. Her prevailing view at the moment is to try for a second hand VW dress and DMs. I shall pass on the fancy ribbons idea.

I love the Needle and Thread dresses. They are probably not quite “out there” enough for DD though!

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RockGirl · 05/08/2023 21:34

I concur with the previous comment of checking the university's graduation regalia so she doesn't clash.

Also I'd wear glitter DMs.

TheDutchHouse · 05/08/2023 21:42

Vinted ? I saw some gorgeous dresses from Kate Spade there earlier.. alas all in a size 6 or 8 ...

Alvie22 · 05/08/2023 21:45

Try here too. https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/

onlymyselftoanswerto1 · 05/08/2023 22:11

Another one here to say if docs are her style tell her to wear them, she'll look awesome! I regret not wearing mine - but when I eventually get my PhD I will be wearing my chesney high heel boots www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/chesney-leather-flared-heel-lace-up-boots-black/p/26701001 - so there's always that option too if she wants docs but heels (and they are sooooo comfy there'll be no teetering across the stage)

Monkeymonkeymoo · 05/08/2023 22:19

If she liked the green self portrait dress then this has a similar feel but it’s in the sale and so much cheaper: https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/self-portrait/clothing/midi-dresses/belted-cutout-pleated-chiffon-midi-dress/1647597303365925 (I prefer the colour too).

Congratulations to your daughter, and I think it’s lovely that you’re helping her find something special (I have some lovely memories of my mum taking me for a day out to choose a ball gown when I got my grades for university).
If you’re in the south of England then a day in Bicester might be nice so you can look at stuff together and try things on (you can get some beautiful designer dresses for much cheaper, especially if she’s open to things that are more unusual)

cantstaymadatyou · 05/08/2023 22:41

Irregular Choice do some fun shoes with mid/low heels. Some of their styles are a bit middle aged but there are definitely some cute looks. They’re comfy enough for lots of standing too.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 23:12

Thanks again. Funnily I went to Bicester years ago with my mother. We are in the south west so it’s a bit of a trek. But doable. I had forgotten about it.

I agree some of the VW dresses on eBay are not that wow! There is a certain style; I think it’s the Saturday/ Sunday dress as someone up thread said that is really VW. That one is definitely identifiable VW.

I like Irregular Choice shoes a lot. My other DD got a pair to wear to a wedding last year (with frogs on). Will keep them in mind.

DD knows I’ve been getting suggestions here and is really pleased with all the help. Thank you.

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TizerorFizz · 05/08/2023 23:20

@Monkeymonkeymoo As a regular at BV with a size 6 DD, you would be surprised how little is in a size 6! Plus you won’t be getting anything suitable in Dior, Prada, Burberry, Loewe, Celine,AMcQ, Gucci and many other shops for £300. Ganni has just opened and there is Reiss and The Kooples but I’m struggling to think of many shops where she could look. We enjoy going there for fun, but not on a mission for anything, except stocking up on Molton Brown!

LadyZebra · 05/08/2023 23:23

RoseBucket · 05/08/2023 16:23

This is an amazing VW find 🫶🏻😍

gogomoto · 05/08/2023 23:30

The gown hood really is better with a blouse as it hooks over a button (usually)

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 23:34

The VW dress found by Rose Bucket is the front runner at the moment. DD loves it.

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Strawberrypicnic · 05/08/2023 23:34

Please look at Reformation!! Their dresses never let me down for special occasions, they are so beautifully cut. If I could afford it I'd buy all my clothes from there.

I wouldn't describe it as a quirky brand but it's def worth a look to see if there's anything she likes.

Original poster
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 05/08/2023 23:42

Thank you. We shall head over to Reformation and have a look.

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RockGirl · 06/08/2023 01:13

gogomoto · 05/08/2023 23:30

The gown hood really is better with a blouse as it hooks over a button (usually)

A lot of them use velcro now.

Jaem23 · 06/08/2023 05:30

Not every dress is suitable but if they were around when I graduated there are definitely some I would have picked but then I did a performance degree so maybe that’s a contributing factor!

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