What do you think to this dress

[FatatFifty]

For a graduation ceremony. Size 18, perimenopausal 5’8”. Very pale with very dark hair, pear shaped.

I’ve left it late to find something as I hate clothes shopping, but I will have to look back at the photos so feel like I need to try.

Or any other suggestions very welcome 🙏.

Dress

Must be modest and midi, no norks or knees. A line or fit and flare suits me best.

I’m not trying to match with the ugly colour of my gown so not bothered about that.

I usually wear a lot of navy or plum, plus things like cream in the summer.

It’s an absolutely beautiful dress, I love it.

You could also easily dress it up or down for other events.

Thank you @SaltyGod .

Do you think it’s appropriate? I don’t want to feel overdressed, I’d imagined I’d just wear one of my tailored work dresses, but now I’m panicking and feel like that might be not enough effort.

It’s a pretty dress - very elegant. It’s not my personal style ( the floral element) but I think that style could be very flattering if that’s a consideration for you. My own personal struggle with formal occasions is that I often lose my own sense of self and wear items that are not really me. So is it “ you”?

I don’t really know @Divebar2021 . If I put it on and it was flattering I’d probably wear it. I’ve got some shoes that would suit the dress and are fairly comfortable for heels.

It is different to my usual work stuff from Cos that’s for sure. But I’m at a loss to be honest. It’s summery and not revealing so that’s a long way towards what I’d imagined when I started googling this morning.

Absolutely beautiful! I couldn’t pull it off but I think it will look great and perfectly appropriate. Looks expensive and quality too which goes a long way.

I think it's a gorgeous dress and spot on for your graduation. You will look wonderful.
And congratulations!

It's gorgeous, get it and wear it as often as possible.

Thank you 🙏 everyone.

Thank you @heldinadream . Six long years 😩, I can’t believe it’s all over 🏆.

I love it and it would be perfect.
I used to not be able to wear anything with a belt as I have no waist.
A friend gave me a really good tip and that was to tie the belt at the back, keep it in the loops but pull the belt to the back and tie loosely, absolute game changer

It's so beautiful! Congratulations and have a fantastic day!

It's nice. The wide sleeves are likely to be a pain under the graduation gown. The tailored work dresses would also be fine. If you like it and will wear it again, I would buy it. If not, I wouldn’t, because in reality very little of the outfit is visible.

When I talk to students about graduation, most often their reflection is they wish they'd spent less on the outfit and worn more comfortable shoes. There's a lot of standing about!

I love it. But...

With a gown over you may be better with a plain black dress

What colour is your gown and hood? Will they match any of the colours in the dress? If so, then go for it, it's beautiful and perfect level of smart. Don't be afraid to celebrate your achievement!

Generally, I think the best graduation dresses are high neck midis that are a block/sparse patterned colour already echoed in the gown or hood. High neck so you don't get the weird skin gap below the hood and midi matches the gown length.

It's a beautiful dress and it's your graduation!!!!! How wonderful and congratulations!!!!!

@Butterflyfern , no the gown is a really awful, fairly bright red, not a colour that I would wear in a million years, hence I’m not considering it at all. It’ll be off as soon as possible.

Congratulations!!
I think it's perfect for the occasion and will work beautifully under a graduation gown.
You go !!!

It’s a really beautiful dress op and sounds like it will work really well with your colouring. You’re graduating!! What an amazing achievement!! Wear what will make you feel wonderful - if you put it on and love it then go for it! Don’t wear anything that detracts from celebrating the hard work that has got you to this point. Have a fantastic day!

I graduated with OU.
The gown part I wasn't looking forward to, but when I got it and then was dressed into it, the tears came and the person dressing me was so lovely.
Then there were photos before I met my family and went into the ceremony.
It's a lovely dress, have a really lovely day. Well done.

Lovely dress, pretty print and shape, perfect for a graduation, and congratulations!

Lovely, perfect dress.

It's a lovely dress but it is polyester and that is a lot of money to pay for polyester. I'll have a look for something similar

Thank you all for encouraging me.

I received my award so long ago that I wasn’t sure I was going to go.

DC threatened to disown me if I didn’t 😂, so now we are going and making a weekend of it. It will be my last one (PhD). I doubt I’ll be doing another ……. but never say never.

It's lovely and I think you have the height to carry it off. Definitely wear heels with it.

I’ve now ordered it. I’ll report back once I’ve tried it on.

I do have reservations that it might look a bit like I’m going to a wedding so we’ll see what it looks like later this week.

Beautiful dress OP.

I chose a really nice dress for my graduation a few years ago and was gutted because the gown buried me. So you can’t see the dress at all in the professional pictures.