Help with mature student graduation dress

[TeenLifeMum]

I’m 43 and will receive my post grad at a ceremony in December from a Russell Group uni (not sure if that’s relevant to dress suggestions).

I’ve looked at Hobbs and phase eight and feel underwhelmed. Ideally I want something smart that can then become nice work wear.

I’m a curvy size 12 (big boobs - 32E - and curvy hips). Any ideas welcome - feels like the time for a bit of a treat but not crazy money.

What shops and styles do you usually like?

Congrats! 😊

I keep coming back to this thread and feeling that I don’t have enough information. (Despite having attended three such ceremonies on my own behalf, and a few more in support of family members.)

Do you have a dress code? Will you be wearing a gown? What is your maximum budget? (I have no idea what crazy money means to you.)

FWIW, for my most recent graduation (when I was in my fifties) I wore a white blouse and a tweed skirt by respectively MSGM and Maison Margiela, with some black suede block heeled shoes by YSL.

But yes - congratulations!

I’m thinking Hobbs price bracket. Being winter I was thinking dress and jacket - I prefer dresses to trousers or skirts and tops. So maybe £350 ish budget. I don’t want to look frumpy and want to be able to wear it to work after on days needing smarter clothing.

I will be wearing a gown and it’s on uni campus at 9am - so day wear.

I tend to like fit and flare but they can look too casual. I need something to come in at my waist as I’m an hour glass figure.

I like some Boden. Used to love joules but less so recently. Greens/blues rather than reds.

How about this:

https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/ribbed-fitted-dress-woman-292111930152.html

I wouldn’t bother with a jacket. You’ll get a sleeker look without, and the gown will help with warmth. (Though you could add thermals beneath the dress if necessary.)