Son's graduation

[Elektra1]

Not sure what sort of thing to wear to my son's graduation. What do people wear? Is it sort of like wedding garb? For reference I'm 5'5", size 8. Most of the dresses I have are my work wardrobe though. Not sure what brands to look at.

IME there's quite a wide range of graduation wear, for both graduates and family attending! You'll get some people telling you it's wedding garb, hats etc, and others saying just wear something vaguely smartish - it really depends on what's usual at the institution. Can you look online at photos of previous ceremonies?

Having said all that, I think you really won't go wrong with a smart midi dress - linen blend is always nice for warm weather but will crease (wouldn't really bother me though). I'd probably look for a linen-ish midi dress, or maybe a printed co-ord set with wide cropped trousers. There'll be a lot of standing around, so I'd have flat-ish comfy shoes, and I'd want a bag I could carry a bottle of water in, ideally.

A few fairly casual options to get you started:

Emily & Fin printed jumpsuit

John Lewis linen midi dress (very low-key/quite casual)

Finery printed shirt dress

White Stuff linen print dress

A little bit more formal (but not very...😂 can you tell I like to be comfortable?!):

Phase Eight midi polka dress

Stine Goya Elizabeth dress - gorgeous print

Plümo dress, pretty but tricky shape possibly

Ro&Zo mini shift dress

It's not really 'wedding garb', certainly not 'mother of the bride outfit', and absolutely no hats! Obscuring other proud parents view with headgear is plain rude.
The PPs suggestions are good, but trousers and a nice top are fine too if you prefer them. Definitely agree with comfy shoes!

Definitely not wedding clothes!

Perhaps you might take him out for a ‘nice’ celebratory lunch afterwards? What would you wear for that? (Doesn’t matter if you have such a plan or not, just go with the styling idea.)

Hard to be more specific without a budget though.

Here’s a selection of new day dresses from various brands - you may find something you like:

https://www.collagerie.com/en-gb/collections/clothing

My son's on his third graduation in a couple of weeks so I'm used to it! I've worn a smart maxi dress and fitted jacket to one, the next I wore wide crepe trousers and matching top with coordinating blazer, the upcoming one I'm wearing some black very wide pleated palazzo trousers, black sleeveless top and either cream blazer or white linen blazer with fine black stripe, low blockheel pointed slingbacks and putting a handheld fan in my bag in case it's hot.
Parents generally dress smartly, men in suits, but women are definitely dressing a step down from wedding attire, I've never seen a hat at one. Obviously it depends on the university too.

I'm wearing this: www.nobodyschild.com/products/navy-blue-starlight-midaxi-dress?_gl=18t18kx_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw1emzBhB8EiwAHwZZxVDlB3KJUzVFCFP9uKsvlVewMKfgFySwwDYYMuu5Ria6WNV690GHLhoCJ84QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

DH will be wearing either a suit, no tie, or if it's hot, hot, chinos, shirt and blazer.

Thanks all! Will look for a smart casual dress then, no hat!

Comfortable shoes , suitable for walking on grass.