Which dress for my graduation?

[AuntieSoap]

I'll be attending my own (Masters) graduation ceremony next week and I'm torn about what to wear. I've got 3 options and I like them all but keen for opinions. I'm 49 and I've just shed 3 stone, still a size 14 (more 14-16 than 12-14) but feeling quite good about myself.

Option 1 - I love this green one but is it too clubby rather than formal?
www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/green-sequin-mini-dress-362596

Option 2 - the pink is a safe bet I think
www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/pink-crinkle-velvet-mini-dress-363082

Option 3 - this looks lovely on and is possibly my favourite dress but I wanted to avoid black as I prefer a contrast to the black gown.
www.debenhams.com/product/jolie-moi-vianna-contrast-2in1-midi-dress_p-67d49474-f508-4ead-baac-9e56309c06d9

Thanks!

I’m not an academic but have to wear a gown and hood for work several times a year.

Yes to a safety pin, and I think a black dress with a quiet pattern on it would be ideal. I disagree with Ede and Ravenscroft’s advice about wearing a shirt if, like me, you are blessed with a generous bust. If I hook the loop on my hood onto a blouse button it just pulls the blouse up at the front.

There’s a university in my town which holds its graduation ceremonies in a big central council building. It’s good to see the students looking so happy, and they have clearly made an effort to dress up. However… when some women in short brightly coloured dresses wear black gowns and coloured hoods over them it looks incongruous to me, like wearing a smart summer outfit to the Races and then having to find an old waterproof coat out of the car boot to wear on top of it when it suddenly starts to pour with rain.

The gown and hood should be the main focus, that’s the point of the day. What you wear underneath should complement it, not draw attention away.

I actually think the 3rd is the best for the occasion and importantly will work best with the gown (taking into consideration all factors including length).

It has a lot of pattern and bright colour in the skirt, it’s not as if it’s plain black.

I thought you didn’t want to buy more dresses?3 still best for purpose. You don’t feel anything like being at work in gown and cap.

(The spotty dress is too informal and also too short. I like the red dress but would want to take the hem up - but not too much!)

I love short dresses but I agree with many that they don’t feel right for this occasion.

Same here.. None are very flattering, especially not the first two.
Frumpy comes to mind-shapeless and heavy fabric.

The third would be ok, but the hem is uneven, the way the back hangs lower than the front.

Buy something that flatters you, @AuntieSoap There will be something lovely out there.

That's much better. I said the black spotted one was the best of the selection to that point but tbh, that was on a least worst option basis.

The red dress is the best one so far. Still looks a bit informal to me. Absolutely no to the spotty black dress.
how about hiring one? https://www.lkborrowed.com/a/clothing/dresses

Agree with PP. I’m also an academic and hate it when I see all the male graduands looking smart in formal day/business suits, and the female graduands looking ready for a night on the town - all fake tan, boobs, and ridiculous heels. It almost feels like an insult to the hard, serious, work they’ve done, and what they’ve achieved.

The ‘classiest’, most timeless, look (if that’s what you’re going for) is a plain white/pale shirt and a skirt or trousers of your choosing. Wearing something like that lets the graduation gown and cowl take centre stage, and that’s what you’re there for, after all. The photos will be display in your home for a long time so avoid high fashion as they look really dated after about 3 years.

Some of those are lovely!

I think I need to go shopping

We had very strict rules about what to wear about graduation, but having just attended my SIL's graduation where there were no rules, it was very clear in my partner and I's 2 hour long "rate the outfit" game that a plain single colour business dress without texture looks best both on stage and in photographs - either black, or the plain bright red dresses looked very striking under the gowns if you want something a bit different. That would be my very, very strong advice on this having watched about 300 women go and collect their degrees.

Also, closed toe shoes that you can walk in comfortably so that do not look like a baby deer.

@Catopia what about this:

www.marksandspencer.com/stain-crepe-puff-sleeve-midi-tea-dress/p/clp22585156

The last dress is the best one so far

Yes, there’s something I inwardly call the ‘graduation ceremony teeter’, which is a combination of mini dress with heavy longer gown and hood (which often make the dress pull back and ride up because of the drag), new heels, often smooth-soled, and walking up steps and across a platform. Break in the shoes, and if you can’t comfortably climb a flight of steps on them and walk across a smooth floor, buy something else.

Yes, the last dress from m and s is the best. It’s classy and gives that pop of colour under the black.

I agree too, it's the best so far.

Definitely the last dress! That will look lovely

Yes, the red M&S dress is far better.

Ok. I think your dresses might be a bit casual then.

I've just ordered the red M&S dress 🤞

Good call, @AuntieSoap, I hope you like the way it looks on you and you have a fantastic day.
Congratulations on getting your MSc, what a great achievement!

Ah, thank you for your lovely wishes!

I don’t really get wearing dresses like these under your graduation gown and hood

the gown and hood is what needs to take the focus on the day. The best thing to set it off is either a simple round or high neck black dress or a dark skirt and white round or collared top .

i saw some lasses at my sons graduation in high collared broiderie Angela’s and lace blouses- they looked lovely under the gown, with that detail showing.

the hood needs to fasten at a v- neck angle, well down. So a v neck dress or top just looks like you’re not actually wearing anything on top 😱🤣, and if anything the weight of hood at back will pull the v neck on your dress/ blouse back up so it all nods up strangling you.

sme women look a mess at graduations as their dresses just don’t look right, between a v neck top and short skirt they look completely naked 😱 or the dress is being pulled up at front by hood weight, or the colours are just clashing with hood. The gowns were designed to go over plain dark suits to be worn at all times, as a professional attire. You’d not wear those dresses to work in an office- wear formal work attire to keep that professional look.

they’re lovely dresses, I’m really happy for you to have lost weight and wanting to show off your figure and confidence. How wonderful 🥳How about you take your favourite to change into after graduation for the meal out or whatever you’re doing to celebrate- that’ll look nicer than a plan black dress or skirt and top without the gown and hood anyway.

celebrate wearing the gown, knowing it’ll not look like a tent on you. You’ll probably never ever get to wear one again (unless you go all out for the PHD), so make the most of that.

just seen red M&S - yes that’s more like it and much more professional looking. Will set off a black gown well. Good length to show under gown, and good neckline

if your hood has some red in it too, it’ll just be cherry on the cake!

well done, have a lovely day

2nd one would be my choice.