I need a swanky frock !

[MabelAnderson]

Dc graduation, Oxford so pretty formal. I have a lovely outfit that used to fit me but this year I have put weight on and my good intentions to lose it again… well.. they remain good intentions as I’m only slightly slimmer.
I want a beautiful frock, I am happy to hire if necessary. I am roughly a size 12 . This is quite well padded for my frame, so I do not want to show my upper arm chub. I am annoyingly busty (28H/30GG) and post menopause, with a tummy from that plus two c sections. So partly nothing I like , or used to wear, is very flattering.
I am 5’8” and like things long or longish. I suit things that come in under the bust, the voluminous dresses that are smock shaped (eg Kindred) do not work on me as I look huge.
Best shape for me is fitted over the bust, elbow length sleeves, long A line skirt. Vampires wife dresses looked the right sort of shape but I never tried one on, and maybe they weren’t for the busty ?
I am pale but suit warm colours, probably a vibrant autumn. Happy with solid colours, florals, prints, embroidery, anything. Best colours are mossy greens, or oranges, vermillion red, cream. Can’t wear blue, fuchsia or black, they really do not suit me.
I won’t wear polyester.
I don’t know why I can’t find anything, I think I just feel fat and frumpy, as I love clothes , so normally have a lengthy wish list.
Budget. Hmm well up to £500 probably. Don’t really want to spend much more than that.
I have been in denial that I won’t squeeze into anything I already own and now I have very little time and I’m panicking.
Thanks in advance!

These colours suit me. I love colour in general.

I like the shape, love a maxi, and the mustard colour, although maybe a bit too muted for me. I think I have the pattern for this dress, if I had more time I could make it in Prospect Road, but the fabric takes time to arrive.
My favourite print is probably that dramatic dark green on navy in the very first dress you linked, but I think the colour is too blue based and will wash me out. Liberty prints in general are very cool toned , at least the ones they use for their clothing. There is more variation in the fabric.
I have warm toned light brownish hair, not coloured. Green eyes.

From experience I'd recommend something that you can wear with a low heel or even flats, depending on your proficiency in heels. You'll be walking from the Sheldonian to the college and unless DC was at a very central college it may be a tidy step. Less of a concern if they were at Trinity or Hertford, of course!

My son had his graduation from Balliol College Oxford, he studied PPE and there was a wonderful lunch at Balliol, a cricket match and tea at one of the post grad houses. No one was that dressed up, I had a pink linen dress with a cashmere poncho and gold sandals and felt a bit over dressed if anything. Some people were very casually dressed indeed. OP, get yourself a lovely dress but don’t go OTT as you might feel a bit conspicuous.

I would agree, most of the above are a bit OTT for graduation, even at Oxbridge.

I never worry at all about being overdressed as I love clothes, and I don’t care what anybody else thinks of my outfits as long as I am happy with them, so I’m quite an adventurous dresser generally. My dd would be shocked if I was more casual.
I won’t wear high heels though. The college isn’t too long a walk, but I don’t like really high heels, plus Oxford pavements are lethal, and I am clumsy. I am normally in flats as I wear a lot of trousers but I can wear a lowish heel.

I’ve ordered the Liberty Maxi and the slightly shorter style in two different prints, plus a Liberty silk shirt as I do have a great trouser suit I could wear , I just feel more like wearing a dress. So hopefully one of those will fit .
Annoyingly Liberty only have an 8 in the Beulah dress, as they have that offer on.
I remembered that I also have a long silk Jasper Conran dress that is quite nice, so that’s a possibility too. I haven’t worn it yet so I’d forgotten about it.