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

Dress for the occasion and your child. Graduating is a massive deal. So dress up but make it comfortable with comfortable shoes.

One of the parents at DS. graduation was rumoured to be wearing £250K of jewellery . And she still didn't stand out amongst the well dressed crowd .

£250K of jewellery in daytime? Bit tacky! 😂

Absolutely gorgeous dress! ❤️ Wear it for sure. It's beautiful and very elegant. I don't often like dresses posted on MN, but the dress in the OP is beautiful

It’s lovely

ooh snobby

I’d like to compliment you on your lovely dress and tastefulness.
I live in Central California where it can get very hot - and for decades we’ve held our graduations outside in the (American) football stadium.
And you would think people came from washing their cars or they just rolled out of bed!
Shameful.
There are many who dress appropriately, but I honestly don’t know what’s happened to these other people.
Thank you for helping to keep up standards.
I’m guessing your family is very proud of you.

I would say dress for the weather and look smart but remember it’s not a Wedding! How would you dress for school prize giving? I went to a graduation ceremony in summer, one in January and one in December I wore smart trousers to all of them but for the winter ones I had my coat on the entire time as it was freezing. I also recommend getting ball of foot cushion pads that are made from silicone or something similar and you can wear heels all day long. They sell them on Amazon.

It’s a bit formal. A nice dress in a print is what I saw many women wear last year, some with a blazer over. Like if you were going to afternoon tea at a nice hotel. But comfortable footwear is a must!

Or just wear already comfortable shoes all day. It's not 1985.

Was it Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

I’m one of the people that sit on the stage at graduations. Your dress is entirely appropriate. Most people dress formally - as though for a christening or a celebration lunch. We will get a few in jeans and some who dress as though for a wedding (with hats and buttonholes). We also get people wearing their national dress, and some who look like they’ve come for a day at the office.

Regardless, everyone is there to celebrate the achievements of their family member or friend, and it’s a wonderful experience that always makes me feel very proud and often a little emotional, especially when I see students who have overcome some real hurdles to achieve their goals.

It looks great. I work for a uni and the parents certainly make the effort. Some even come in their national dress too. Have a great time

My DDs university says 'The ceremonies are formal occasions therefore, students and guests should dress appropriately.'

That's pretty much what DD's university said.

I don’t get this.( Not a personal attack on OP) It’s a graduation ceremony celebrating a child’s success not a wedding. The university invite says something like smart dress so I’m thinking what used to be ‘business casual’. Trousers, simple top. Jeans can look smart with the right accessories. Each to their own but I don’t think we need another opportunity to show how inaccessible uni is for most people. I will be lucky to afford a sack to wear to my DC’s this summer having forked out for so much already! Think it’s all getting a bit OTT! It’s not our day!

Glad you have decided to wear it! It’s actually a pretty simple dress. Plain cut, no embellishments or ruffles or splits. Just long and cream with a few flowers on! With flat shoes and simple jewellery, it is more than fine!

It’s a graduation ceremony celebrating a child’s success not a wedding.

Why is celebrating a wedding more important than a graduation? I'd say the opposite was true, graduation is far more of an achievement, but I think they are very similar in the 'dressing up' requirements as formal daytime celebrations. That doesn't make them inaccessible (the OP has linked to a dress from River Island not The Fold), most men have a suit and most women have a nice dress or equivalent for weddings. You don't need to go and buy a new outfit if you don't want to (for my graduations my Mum wore an outfit she'd previously worn to a wedding).

I am now slightly regretting the plain cotton dress I wore to one of my kid’s graduation; I think for my next child I’m going to go all out!

It is a celebration, and a formal occasion, and looking how you want to look in the family photo as proud parents at Dc's graduation needn't be elitist in any way.

People can have nice / smart / best clothes at any budget - most people have something more formal / celebratory than a sweat top and leggings.

But if they choose to wear leggings / jeans - fine, of course. But not hard to see why people want to dress up a little bit to celebrate.

Smart dress isn’t business casual - it’s more formal than that. Dressing up for a graduation isn’t a new thing. My mother looked like Lady Diana on her way to open a care home and that was in 1991. It is quite a formal occasion - even the often scruffy academics wear their Sunday best and polish their shoes. There’s usually music, processions, formal greetings, honours given out, etc.

You are celebrating your child’s success and by dressing up for the occasion you’re showing your child that you know this is an important moment in their life and that you are proud of them. And it absolutely is your day. Every ceremony explicitly acknowledges the critical role of parents/caregiver’s in their child’s success - usually the new graduates are invited to stand up and applaud you. It’s a very proud family occasion.

The definition of smart has really changed since the 90's.

I so rarely have an occasion to get dressed up so I enjoy the odd occasion where I can. DD will graduate in 2027 and I will make sure that I look smart.

I have sat through 4 graduation ceremonies and made an affort for all of them. It's what you do.

That dress is perfect and lovely.

My uni graduation at Exeter had a dress code and there wasn’t anyone in casual clothing.

A couple of parents were in full evening gowns which looked rather OTT but they looked happy and I think jeans/leggings would have looked far more out of place.

I think a bit depends on what Uni and also what degree. Mine is film graduate there will be lots more arty interpretations etc rather than a classics at Cambs