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

Your dress is lovely. And perfectly suitable for your DS' graduation. We live near a university and see graduands with their parents every year. Some are casually dressed but lots quite formal.

No it's an even you CAN dress up for if you want. People celebrate in different ways. If dressing up puts everyone on edge then what's the point? Some people will go to a Michelin star restaurant afterwards,
other people will go on a booze up at the local pub.

Very very few people dressed up to this degree at my son's or daughter's ceremonies (both quite posh), so if you aren't a dress up to the nines person you'll be absolutely fine in your harem pants. OP will probably be in the minority but will look gorgeous in the family photos, and sounds like she'll carry it off with aplomb.
In fact it seemed to me that the posher the family, the more likely they were to turn up in disreputable ancient Barbour jackets.

Like everyone else, I agree that people wear smart casual. OP, your dress is absolutely fine. I think people feel your outfit is more dressed up because of the fascinator and weddingy look. I’m sure you’re not going to style it like that. It will be fine.

Lucky you being so tall! So many dresses in the shops these days are down to the floor and as I am 5 foot two I cannot wear them, despite loving fashion!

You don’t need to go very formal but it is a formal event and requires an element of smart clothing. It is disrespectful not to (unless you’ve literally left your hospital bed to go)

Don’t forget that most parents take their graduates to somewhere nice after the ceremony and reception.

Both of ours graduated from uni of Nottingham and we took them and siblings and girlfriends to Restaurant Sat Bains as a treat. I wouldn’t have gone there in joggers and a t-shirt.

Looks fine to me, on the more dressy side, there's a real mix, you'll be in the fancier end of the range. The graduations I've been to it's been unbelievably hot. Summer dress and a fan. Have fun

No, I’ll definitely not be wearing a fascinator!

My son graduated in the summer and I wore an occasion dress from Hobbs. Loads of others dressed in similar, so your dress will be perfect.

Husband and son wore a suit!

That dress would be perfect for a graduation at the university where I work. I've seen lots of gorgeous, dressy outfits at graduations, and that dress is perfectly appropriate.

My parents never came to my 1st degree graduation (big sore point) so I gave my tickets to a colleague. They invited me to a meal afterwards and were all in dressy summer outfits. In those days women still wore heels. I wore a plain black suit for my doctoral graduation because the gown itself is quite elaborate.

It's a beautiful dress, and if you'll feel wonderful in it, wear it!

My parents didn’t come to my undergrad graduation either. I went to Exeter and I don’t think it occurred to them to travel 3 or 4 hours. It was just me and my then boyfriend. Perfect for immediate partying though without having to spend time with parents when you’re desperate for the real fun to start (I say this from experience of my own graduates).

It seems quite dressy for any graduations I've been to, more like a wedding outfit.

I’ve been to a few graduations recently and things seem so much more casual compared to those in the 90s. There were some lovely dresses and suits, but also plenty of casual trousers, trainers and jeans. Wear whatever makes you feel lovely :)

It's lovely, op. My oldest's graduation was last July and there were lots of people in similar dresses. I'm short and squat so I wore a trousers suit - both acceptable!

As long as you don't shout out a long and very cringy pre-prepared script when your child appears on stage like the parent next to me did (totally drowning out the names of the next two people 😬) you'll be fine!

Ugh, I would have hated that!
We were told at my DD's graduation last year that there was to be no loud cheering etc. It meant you could hear everyone's name & gave the occasion more gravitas really.

And the vast majority of women were in dresses like yours, OP.
A few people were quite casually dressed, if not quite scruffy, which really surprised me. I think there are certain occasions where you should always make an effort - weddings & graduations being two of those.

we dressed up for our dc graduations, had photos of us all
it was the right thing to do

I've got two children graduating this summer and I'm definitely planning on wearing a smart day dress/dressing up although everyone has said to wear comfortable shoes!

I think that dress looks lovely OP and congratulations to your graduating DC!

Not correct. People were well dressed but not over dressed. I wore a black silk shirt dress with white polka dots, a dress I wear to work, for DS's graduation, and a raincoat - it was a foul day. For DD's a Seasalt summer dress and navy coatigan. Oxford and Cambridge. I second comfortable shoes.

I do wonder if the uni makes a difference, most people are saying the same thing, summer dresses or trouser suits, but some seem to think it’s alright to rock up in harem pants or t shirt and leggings,

I felt mortified on behalf of her poor daughter!

I went to three just after lockdown and wore summery print midi dresses with flat sandals and felt perfect. I didn’t see anyone in jeans or leggings and around 10% of the women wore wedding guest outfits.
I would say the dress may be slightly on the overdressed side and I agree about definitely wearing flat footwear.

I have attended hundreds of graduation ceremonies. Some people dress up to the nines but there are an equal number dressed as you are planning.

There is usually national dress of all kinds as well.

Some ceremonies are more glam than others (particularly the graduands). Law usually involves more high heels, philosophy more blue hair, education smart black dresses.

Guests wear an incredible mixture of things so just do you.

I was at three graduation ceremonies for my son and I can safely say nobody was dressed up in this type of dress!

Surely it's an occasion for the person graduating - they are the people that matter? Why do the families need to be ott?

At the graduations I've attended people have dressed respectfully but not as though they are attending a wedding. And this dress is more suitable for a wedding.