Graduation dress recommendations for DD22

[magentacaramel]

Hi everyone

My daughter is graduation in a week and we still have not found a dress for her. So please could you help with suggestions:

here is the low down:

size 4 or 6 UK
height 5’1’. So petit dress required
no sequins
nothing that looks like office wear
no large patterns or flowers
tight fitted
sophisticated style
modest (no plugging neckline).
sleeveless or with sleeves (not strapless or straps)
her sash will be lilac
budget £100 max
i am grateful for all suggestions.

thank you

That’s long gone. In the uni I work at it tends to be more what I would consider “clubbing” or evening style outfits (often bodycon). They don’t tend to use the loop for the hood / sash so it just hangs a bit lower at the back. And it’s their celebration so really don’t see why they can’t wear what they like for it ( within reason).

I’m fascinated by the importance of wearing clothes that don’t date under your all-obscuring gown. Why is not looking like you graduated in the year you did important?

Whatever she buys, make sure there’s enough of a shoulder (not spaghetti straps) for the gown and hood to sit properly and fasten onto; take plenty of safety pins and hairpins (mortar boards always need more than you think) and low heels, especially if she’s up for prizes and will need to go up the stairs more than once.

I had to chuckle at the office wear comment you were responding to. In my current experience, sixth formers are wearing office wear more regularly than most people working in offices!

In the UK gowns are by no means all - covering usually. There is a big gap at the front with the outfit clearly visible.

This thread is bonkers. It’s highly unlikely that a young graduate is going to want a skirt and blouse or a dress from M&S or KM.

Surely she could sort something out for herself from maybe Zara or Mango?

I wouldn't wear half these suggestions and I'm twice graduation age plus a few, just like when I graduated I wouldn't have considered wearing any of the suggestions my mums mates might have been forthcoming with! Bonkers.

I think this is probably less that the Graduate can't find anything to wear, and more that her mum doesn't agree with her choices

Would this work? White, smart enough for a graduation and with a neckline that can be altered as the day goes into night? It's also 50% off and the quality is usually fabulous.
https://www.meandem.com/contrast-stitch-mini-dress-light-cream

They don't do a lot of short dresses as a company but if you filter by size and scroll down there are some bargains to be had in the teeny tiny sizes if she finds something she likes that can be taken up easily.

Plain dress
No plunging neckline
If straight needs a kick vent / black slit for walking to receive honour
If wearing heels and to be honest dress will look better with a heel choose either a secure ankle strap or better still a Mary Jane style with a thicker heel
Years of watching wobbly lasses negotiate steps stairs wooden open stairs and boggy grass at ceremonies
Keep hair and make up simple honestly the photos will date otherwise .
Think sophisticated lunch more than hen night or out clubbing
She’ll stand out but for the right reasons !

My daughter’s Uni specified black skirts and white blouses only. That was fairly recently and hasn’t changed. It does make things easier

Lovely idea but not what most 21 year old young women want to wear, at least not in York.

The ceremony/gown wearing is often a small part of a day and evening of celebration, so naturally the outfit needs to work for the graduate before/during/after the ceremony. It’s a huge day, for many the first big life event that involves being centre of attention and dressing up, and it’s important to them that they look and feel their best. Even my DS who wears any old stuff day to day, was happy to go shopping to pick his outfit.

Times have changed!!

All this talk of what people think people should wear on their convocation day is rather overshadowing the OP’s central ask, which was finding an off-the-peg petite fit…

@angieloumcYork definitely has a vibe! And it was clear that everyone had made an effort to look their individual best. Was lovely to see

This has been coming up on my social media a lot lately: https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-petite-compact-stretch-essential-waist-tab-detail-tailored-mini-dress_bkk27365?colour=cream
This looks like it might also fit the bill:
www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-petite-tailored-structured-crepe-forever-pleat-midi-dress_bkk16961?colour=ivory

I graduated a decade ago (mature student) and the guildelines were white shirt & black skirt/trousers or a plain black dress.

Is it not likely that it varies by University?

I'm 5"1 too and would say that graduation gowns are not made for people our size. Its really important she has sleeves or some material at the top so the gown can be pinned properly. Take extra pins too. Really struggled with this at my graduation!

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/karen-millen-petite-compact-stretch-open-back-full-skirted-tailored-midi-dress_bkk24779?colour=ivory

It really isn’t expensive to get stuff taken up or altered at a local dry cleaners. They usually don’t charge much. I paid £12 for adjustments to my wedding dress in 2023.x

I’m fascinated by these bodycon love island style fashions at graduation! Thankfully mine is also at an “out of touch” institution so will be in blouse & skirt and that won’t be changing. if she had a wider choice definitely we’d be on the classic end anyway I suspect from the balls and formals she’s been to before. Not all young women like spray on dresses and it’s perfectly possible to dress young and stylish without them. reformation is lovely & does petites.

I suspect that depends on how “petite” someone is. Petite doesn’t just mean shorter legs, it means the proportions are all shorter - bodice, rise, hemline, sleeve length. And then you get into fitted waists/seams, etc.

That can be a lot of alternation. And the OP has already said the event is next week, so I can see why off-the-peg appeals.

I am also 5’1 and my body was pretty weird due to being postpartum…

God. She’s got a degree so surely she can find a dress? And she’ll have a gown on over most of it anyway. It’s really not that deep.

Make sure she has shoes she can walk in & not trip on the steps up or down. Don't have a thigh split skirt. As a former member of the platform party l was amazed at the knickers flashed as girls tottered on the steps

light in the box

. Lk Bennett