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

I've no idea whether it's suitable for a graduation - my DDs graduated over 10 years ago and things might have changed! Just popping on, though, to say I love this dress and I've ordered a red one for myself!

Oxbridge?

Most universities just suggest smart and practical clothes for students to affix their robes. No mention of "sub fusc" at most universities IME.

Ha ha! I thought this too.

I think this one is better.

I saw a parent in a graduation photo wearing a navy linen shirt dress with short sleeves not dissimilar to this dress you first posted. They wore it with a nice large silky scarf draped over the front. Not tied up, but just with the ends hanging down. It made it look more dressy without opting for a jacket.

I think it's fine for graduation. DD graduated from a 'more well to do university. People were dressed in a variety of outfits. Best to go with what you feel comfortable in.

I'm an academic who's never worn sub fusc. Went to my son's graduation last week. Plenty of the new graduates were wearing the kind of dress you like, plenty of others seemed to be wearing Love Island cocktail dresses. I wore a comfortable maxi dress, but no one cared what I was wearing as I was a guest.

The second navy dress with broderie Anglais is significantly better than the first one. Wear some decent jewellery and take a good bag and you will be fine. Pumps not trainers or low heels.

For what it’s worth, Princess of Wales wears quite a range of dresses! Plus M&S sells a very good range if you want to browse. Rixo is a good brand and Self Portrait if you ever need to be formal!

@Wrinkledretainer It’s a trait that continues in life as they weigh you up as a person worthy of their attention. It’s so boring when someone is 65.

Does anyone listen to Amol Rajan's podcast? Self evidently successful man. But he manages to shoehorn his Cambridge degree in every episode. Not sure why. We're already impressed Amol. You can stop now!

Have seen a wide variety of universities referenced here - Bristol, UWE, Nottingham, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool just off the top of my head.

@faffadoodledo Can you chair University Challenge if you are not Oxbridge?

Yes others are referenced but with a different tone!

Well they’ll never ask me @TizerorFizz!

No, it's just a term we sometimes use as shorthand for 'boring smart clothes'. Don't think we use it on the instructions for students.

@faffadoodledo They just assume I’m thick!!

I like the dress. You can make it look very smart with a nice necklace, shoes etcetera. Plus you'll be able to wear it afterwards. It looks very comfortable. You won't have any chance of causing your DS embarrasment in it, as not over the top.
Excellent choice.

Do we really need to know this?

Agree about the Oxbridge. I find it really very impolite and childish.

I was responding to the shoehorning, which is why I winked! Tongue in cheek.

You've gone over my head now!