Dress for DS's graduation: is this Finery dress ok?

[CharlotteRumpling]

I have forgotten how to dress for a formal occasion after 5 years of WFH and dressing very casually most of the time. DS has his graduation soon.
I don't want to spend too much, because I also need to buy shoes. Never bought from this label before, but it popped up on my feed. Is it decent enough quality?
I don't like florals, puff sleeves and tiers.
www.finerylondon.com/products/orion-dark-khaki-zip-front-midi-shirt-dress

Not everyone dresses up for this. Wear whatever you want.

Absolutely fine op.

I bought a finery dress from m and s. I’ve only worn it once when I went to the theatre. One of the buttons on the sleeve came off so I’ve had to replace it with the spare button. That’s my only concern. Otherwise it’s a very soft, comfortable, stylish dress.

No they won't.

I think it’s lovely, wear some nice jewellery like a necklace and a bracelet to make it feel a bit more dressy if you like?

DD's next graduation will be in York in January & I'll wear a winter coat and chunky boots. Not as relevant as Oxford in September, because the OP is also going next month. Birmingham City University graduations in July tend to feature a lot of very colourful national dress worn by the parents, again, not what the OP was asking when she asked for views on a couple of lovely Finery dresses.

DD's next graduation will be in York in January & I'll wear a winter coat and chunky boots. Not as relevant as Oxford in September, because the OP is also going next month. Birmingham City University graduations in July tend to feature a lot of very colourful national dress worn by the parents, again, not what the OP was asking when she asked for views on a couple of lovely Finery dresses.

This is much nicer - and no everyone won't be in jeans!

No, I don't actually think everyone will be in jeans; that's only what DS thinks because he is very not bothered what I wear!

I have ordered 3 dresses to try on.
I do have nice boots but it will likely be too warm for boots in London.

I think the dress is fine, I wore a floral skater style to DS graduation this year and there were definitely everything form jeans to formal dress among us.

Oh and DS is going for a Masters at Cambridge 😉so I will be looking for a dress next year too ( hopefully). I might go smarter for that.

Do they still have graduations in the sports hall?

Yes! But they make it look lovely…

The navy dress looked nicer imo. When I went to my son’s graduation I saw all sorts, posh to casual. So I’d say go as what makes you feel comfortable.

Any of those dresses would have fitted in at the one we were at last week.

I wore floral midi dress and sandals and was probably towards the smarter end of parents. Husband wore shirt and trousers with blazer and waist coat, no tie.

There was a real range of outfits from wedding guest to jeans and t-shirts to dressed up for a night on the town.

I'd say that's absolutely perfect. Graduations are not dress-up occasions in my experience - more comfortable, smart-ish stuff you'd wear for work. My only style goal was not to embarrass DC in front of their friends😄

Graduations can involve any type of clothing really. Casual, dressed up (but not MotB dressy). I've always worn dresses with comfy shoes or boots. At DD's post grad ceremony at LSHTM there was a lot of international costume. It was very colourful!
Main thing is to enjoy it and wear a big old smile!

I doubt many will turn up in jeans after the posts about parents embarrassing their kids at their graduation on TikTok.

Dress is ok if you are going for the I popped to Asda look, if dresses aren’t your thing see if a similar sized friend has something you could borrow, rather than wasting money on something that one wear then straight to charity shop.

Wear what you feel comfortable in. If you want nice photos then wear what you want to look like for the photos. Give no thought to what others think as some will turn up in jeans and others in formal outfits that resemble something mother of the bride would wear.

there is a huge spectrum

I think I only saw one person in jeans at DD's graduation.

Both of the dresses you have linked to would be fine. I have attended many graduations, as a graduate and in the course of my job. No one will be in jeans, and if they were they would feel decidedly underdressed.

It's perfect. Graduations don't have to be very formal occasions like a wedding. I wouldn't go too formal but this looks smart and comfortable..

Prefer this to the olive one.

I’ve been to 3 graduations in the last 5 years. Most mums were in dresses like the ones you linked too, with a smart coat or jacket if it was cool. Some were in smart trousers and a blouse.

Only a few wore MOB type outfits , I didn’t spot any fascinators.

Most dads ( and male graduates ) were in suits / collar and ties or national dress . A few brothers were in jeans with a casual open neck shirt / jacket ( so not scruffy or casual ).

Some brothers wore 3 piece suits , as they are in fashion.

I didn’t see a single person in jeans / tee shirt / trainers ( although I might have missed a small child ).

Women graduates were more dressed up with heels, lots of make up and hair “done “, as is the current fashion for women in their 20s and 30s.

I like them both.