Is this dress suitable for a graduation?

[JulietSierra]

I bought this dress, intending to wear it to my son’s graduation in August.
I really like it and it does suit me, but I can’t help feeling that it’s not quite right for a graduation.
I’d love to know what people think, especially those who have attended a graduation more recently than I have (the only graduation I’ve attended was my own, 30 years ago!)
If this is totally unsuitable, does anyone have any suggestions ? I’m tall (5’11”) and size 12.
Thank you

It looks a bit OTT to me. I wouldn’t wear it but I don’t know if I would notice it if somebody else did. I wore a midi black polka dots dress. A lot of graduates were in long ballgown dresses, which looked ok on them under the black gowns.

This is also my experience- there’s such a range of styles and outfits but who cares, everyone’s happy!

but equally you can go in leggings and a t shirt.

You would stand out if you did. Most people dressed in smart casual clothes at DD's graduation. I didn't see anyone in anything as casual as leggings or scruffy jeans and trainers.

DD's university also, helpfully, suggested a dress code. It was only a suggestion and wordedsomething like "most people wear smart clothes or their national costume" or something similar. It wasn't "you should wear".

Yes to comfortable shoes.

I’ve seen people in both at different graduations as well as people who looked like they were going to posh weddings, just a complete mixture.

I think it’s beautiful but would dress it down with eg flat sandals rather than wearing high heels. As pp have said comfortable footwear is important for this occasion. Part of our graduation was outside on lawns so high heels wouldn’t have worked anyway.
And definitely no hat.

@JulietSierra the dress is gorgeous, I bet you will
look amazing!

Agreed. Nice dress but you would be overdressed, Op. Looks like you're attending a wedding or ball. Dresses will be mostly day dresses or midi. It's lovely but ott for the event.

There was quite a range at my sons' occasions (adjacent colleges, two years apart). One family were in silk sari / shalwar kameez (can't actually remember which now) type outfits in bright jewel colours and nobody batted an eyelid.

I wore emerald-green jacquard wideleg trousers that tied at the ankle, and a patterned fitted tshirt-style top - which was vaguely dressy for me - and didn't feel out of place in the slightest.

Looking at the few photos I took, I can see in the background several women in floral dresses, one young man in a tshirt and a woman in a tailored blue short dress. S2's fiance is in a cream trouser suit.

If it's not polyester, or the day's not blazing hot, you'll be absolutely fine.

Lovely dress and very appropriate

Based on experience last year, I think that’s entirely appropriate.
I wholeheartedly second the recommendations for comfortable shoes!
I hope you all have a fantastic day.

Yes
I think it is a tad overdressed and I love dressing up
When dd graduated I wore a simple midi length dress with kitten heels

I’ve been to summer and winter graduations, five in total. I didn’t really notice what others were wearing, except for a couple of ladies with fascinators which I did think was a bit more like a wedding outfit. But I am sure they enjoyed themselves. I have been the most judged about my own outfit for daughter one. I risked ordering online and I hated it because it was too casual. I looked very botched up. I don’t like the photos but I had a lovely day. So wear what you feel good in. That dress looks amazing.

Might depend on tje University/college. I should think a lot of Oxbridge colleges have students with fairly grand/minted parents who like to dress up to the nines but it probably won’t be the norm.
You’ll be fine in a comfortable, pretty summer dress or, eg loose linen trousers and a top. Jacket or smart looking cardi over the shoulders etc. Comfortable but nice shoes and a not too large bag. I wouldn’t do stilettoes but if ypu can manage them, you do you.
Most men will probably be in suits or trousers and a jacket. Not necessarily a tie.

When my son graduated from Cambridge I wore black jeans, DM shoes and a top from Fatface. I didn't stand out; people wore a range of clothes.

I was at our local uni for something else when there happened to be graduation ceremonies on and the women guests were mostly in mid calf summer dresses (it was a hot day). Seemed to me that they were just standing around outside for ages - some seemed to be having picnics on the grass so mid length summer dresses or trousers seemed very much the norm.

I've been to two graduations for my kids and everyone was definitely dressed up. DD1's was in the hot bit of the summer of 2022 so they did relax the dress code a little, but I wore a nice floral midi dress. DS' graduation was October last year and I wore a dress that was on the face of it floral but if you looked closely had little ghosts hiding among the flowers, because we are let's face it a family of slightly weird people and DS wanted that represented.

I always think it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.

The suggestion of leggings and a T-shirt is really rather depressing. Fine for wearing around the house and to the gym/running, but not anywhere else if you are above the age of 12.

That’s a lovely dress, you will look great! My son’s graduation last summer was on a sweltering July day and most of the mums I noticed were wearing summer dresses, varying from fairly casual to wedding guest. A couple were in smart trouser suits, but all looked fine and none looked out of place. I agonised over what to wear but I really needn’t have. Enjoy the day, it’s a really lovely occasion 💕

When I graduated (1980s) there were a wide variety of outfits from the graduands and their families. I worked as a student helper so I got to witness many of the ceremonies and showed families to their places. They had come from all over the world. I loved seeing the Indian and Pakistani women in their national dress. I dont think there is any specific rule or requirement except the recognition that there will be photographs.

The dress is lovely, and just the right side of "dressy" for the occasion. I so agree about making the effort, to reflect the effort of gaining a degree. Have a lovely time in that dress on the day.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment. It seems that many agree it will be suitable for the occasion and of those who think it’s a bit too dressy, none seem to think I’ll be ridiculously overdressed.
I’m definitely going to keep it. Even if I end up getting something different for the graduation, I really like the dress and will wear it for some other occasion!

Glad you’re going to keep it OP. It’s a really lovely dress 💕

I find it quite disrespectful. It’s a celebration of a huge achievement for your child, walking in like you’d just been down the supermarket or gym and can’t be arsed making an effort is a really poor show.

my daughters was the same, women were in day dresses and trouser suits. I don’t recall anyone in jeans or leggings and T-shirts.

I wore cream wide leg trousers, a champagne coloured silk tank and an olive blazer. Pair of flat beige mules. Just smart really. And fine for the nice meal we took her for after.

I felt like I let my DC down at their graduation. Just couldn’t find the right outfit and ended up wearing a midi length plum linen skirt and a flowery top I had, with pale grey heels. It was v me, and thankfully good for the sweltering heat that day, but somehow I felt a bit everyday. That was a few years back, but I was shocked to see a photo of a male friend attending his daughter’s in sports shorts!

I think you should wear it, and have a fabulous day all of you.

You really shouldn’t go in leggings and a tshirt. It’s an event you dress up for