Child's graduation but seeing (stbex)H so need something drop-dead gorgeous but elegant and wont make me look like mutton.

[ICanBuyMyOwnFlowers]

BACK STORY - ONLY READ IF YOU'RE INTERESTED - It's my daughter's graduation (MSc) in July. The last time I officially saw my (stbex)H was almost 2 years ago at her BSc graduation which fell exactly a month after him informing me that he no longer loved me and was leaving me after 33 years together (26 married) for a much younger Thai lady with smaller boobs, and a smaller bum! (Purely for a historical correctness I did see him month later for the same daughter's 21st where, unfortunately, I begged him to reconsider)😳😥. When I got home I swore I
a) would never do that again (and haven't)
b) wouldn't see him again - unreasonable cos of our kids but have insisted on it so far!

It's now DD2's second graduation. She has 3 tickets. I've said that unfortunately whilst I am definitely getting there I'm still not ready to go through that again. Equally, despite both of us trying really hard, she really felt the tension at her first graduation and doesn't want to have to go through that again either.

I've backed out and said to let her father have the day (he works in Iraq - though obviously not at the moment) so she doesn't get to see him that often and I am doing my best to accommodate etc and actually we've reached a point where we co-parent via text really well (So I do the bulk but he occasionally steps in - but having been the child of divorced parents I have reinforced, to our kids, that they must have time with their father and that both of us love them). But she wants us both. So instead I've suggested that she spend the day with him and I will sneak in and watch her graduate. She's agreed to this. BUT this IS NOT AN AIBU - I am getting there but am frustrated at how slow this all is - I was really. blindsided by it all. It doesn't help that we're still not divorced (he's fighting everything) and thus I'm still in limbo hell.

READ FROM HERE FOR HELPING ME FIND AN OUTFIT.
I need something that makes me believe I look like a million pounds. I will be 57 on the day and am 5ft 3 with a very short torso (so no outfits that are belted around the waist as they simply don't suit me). I have large breasts (30 GG) which can easily look awful (having breast fed 4 kids I HAVE to wear a bra as they now point almost straight down). This means I look good in Empire Line OR body form.

Being short means that many midi dresses are actually maxi on me, but I'm good at hemming. I bought this:

Which made me feel wonderful. But it appears a) she's mortified/horrified as someone my age shouldn't be wearing this (so obviously felt I looked like mutton) and b) she's wearing either yellow or green. She's actually gone and bought something almost identical.

With the currently sunshine (hopefully) I tan very easily and am going olive skinned.

My budget is a maximum of £150.00

I really can't find anything that will make me feel wonderful.

You have a great figure, but imho, it's really inappropriate for the event and screams "look at me". Something not so figure hugging would be so much better for this particular day. Good luck and have a lovely day x

https://www.sosandar.com/navy-blue-white-contrast-trim-gold-detail-ponte-fit-flare-dress

https://www.sosandar.com/black-white-contrast-trim-gold-button-detail-dress

You look fantastic in that yellow dress, but not right for the occasion. Would take the picture down as your (great!) body is easily identifiable.

Can you get to a large department store and book a personal shopper appointment. Explain what you want first. I’ve used both Fenwicks and John Lewis before and given strict budgets.

What else do you have in your wardrobe already? Might be better to spend £150 on other stuff, eg two top notch bras!

Go to John Lewis they do a personal shopper type thing. Give them your budget, phase eight do a lot of lovely stuff !

Using your child's graduation to prove something to your ex is pretty pathetic.

You should be there for your child.
Nothing more

Piss off @Mamaone11 OP is 2 years into a nasty divorce from her cheating ex and when attending the event wants to look good. Understandable.

The yellow one is not great and imo not graduation material. Better to go classy and dignified!

Absolutely won't be told to piss off by the likes of you. It's a public forum, you get opinions that won't match your bloody delicate ones. It's piss poor to use something as important as a graduation to point score against the other parent. If you take offence to my comment it demonstrates that you also use parenting to make a point.

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn In terms of divorce I absolutely 100% agree with you. I had to go through my parents divorce in the mid/late 80s and it was the original War of the Roses (I've avoided the new one as well). So agreed with you, however I also need to feel I look good so that I can relax and simply enjoy her graduation. I did this at her first graduation but it was only 4 weeks after his big announcement and she found it horrible despite me absolutely doing my very best for her.

The bigger busted gal needs to avoid sleeves that are short and puffy as they just add to the 'volume' in that body area. Choose a straighter or drapey sleeve. Wrap dresses, V necks, fit and flare can work. Or, how about a well cut trouser suit or trousers (not too high waisted) and a silky blouse? Think smart casual not glam for a graduation. The best thing you can wear is your stylish confidence!

I would definitely be going less dressy. More elegant meal out smart casual than wedding. How about something like thishttps://www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/elle-knit-midi-wrap-dress2/?mm_rf=mm_2f4a5171d78d0b4f35d7

Still colour, but slightly more understated. Arms covered, with a sandal or ankle boot depending on weather. Pour moi for fuller bust

Agree with the PP who recommended Scarlett & Jo, they're fairly inexpensive and cut really well. I've got a larger bust and felt a million dollars in one I bought for Christmas. It's got a really supportive band that sits right under the bust.

Or this - doesn’t scream look at me, but also is a nice bright colour https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/cotton-slub-midi-shirt-dress/?styleid=99140&mm_rf=mm_2f4a5171d78d0b4f35d7

ICanBuyMyOwnFlowers Would something like this work, with a jacket?

Also, just an idea but if there is something from a specific website on eBay & you aren't sure on the size then you could order a same style dress from the website then send it back & order the one from eBay?

I would treat yourself to a trip to John Lewis to get sorted. Get a bouncy blow dry on the day. As others have said sod the ex and dress for your daughter in something elegant, comfy and stylish. Perhaps to tone with colour of whatever she’s wearing. Bring her a bunch of flowers, be gorgeous to her friends buy them a drink and be proud of all you have supported her to achieve.

As a university lecturer I have been to many, many graduations.
The women who stand out wear dresses similar to most of the ones linked here - think on the lines of something that you would wear for a smart work(ish) function. Definitely not wedding guest vibes, or day at the races vibes (we do see some of this and it's not the best look on the whole).
As someone else said, a really sharp tailored suit in a very modern cut also looks great and effortlessly chic. Elevate with some well chosen jewellery - think chunky-ish metals rather than diamante.
You will be doing more walking around than you might expect, choose your footwear carefully! I find heels or flats with a pointed (rather than rounded) toe are much more fashion forward especially for a graduation look. Don't forget a matching bag, especially as you will be asked to carry the graduate's stuff during the ceremony.

Just wanted to say you have a fab figure and sound lovely sorry your ex turned out to be an idiot. Love the yellow but would probably go more subtle for graduation. X

Also as a similarly blessed person (30G) I found great full body shapewear options in M&S, including one with cups that allowed me to go strapless in a halterneck dress recently without my nipples next to my navel. I also have other shapewear where it smooths you out on the tummy but I can wear my own bra.

Where do you live? If you have a bravissimo I'd get measured for a supportive, uplifting bra (they also do free online appointments). This made a huge difference to my big boobs. Then I'd go to John Lewis and have a free personal shopper session which will help with styles even if you don't like any of theirs. If you're near bath there is an enormous new m and s and branches of many of the shops mentioned here to try on dresses or jumpsuits in person. I think you should treat this as,an investment in yourself, you'll look amazing but more importantly you'll feel like you've moved on. There is a shop near me that sells genuine last year's designer clothes at a fraction of their original price, if you have somewhere similar near you the cut and quality really do make you look amazing

I'm honestly not sure if any of these will be to your taste but they are all specifically petite, in budget & most seem to be available in a few colour choices. There are loads of lovely petite dresses on the Coast website.
https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-ribbed-bandage-halterneck-midi-dress_bcc12573?colour=pink

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-lace-hem-structured-satin-maxi-dress_bcc12285?colour=magenta

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-placement-print-pleated-v-neck-midi-dress_bcc11872?colour=navy

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-petite-crepe-ruffle-dress-with-low-back_bcc11868?colour=berry

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su831092/h91298

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-perla-dress-10022040230.html#cgid=petite-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10022040230&pos=2

You have an amazing figure. I’d forget the dress and go for classically cool and elegant in a trouser suit. Maybe Karen Millen, they have some great trousers. Something like this with a satin Champagne colour vest top or blouse with plenty of cleavage!! Work to your strengths 😉 but don’t over think it.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-compact-stretch-contrast-colour-tailored-wide-leg-trouserbkk27811?colour=mono&size=10

You look banging in the yellow dress. Keep it and look fabulous, but wear something less for a graduation.

The yellow dress doesn’t give me graduation vibes, you want something classy .

i wore a black shirt dress with black wedges for ds’s and for dd ‘s I’ve got a navy midi dress. Nothing too overstated but dressy.

id rather my child shone than I did in my outfit.

dress you you and not for him, he is nothing to you anymore.

I love the phase 8 orange dress at the top of his post.