Graduation dress ideas for daughter who likes Disturbia style clothes

[NellyTheCake]

My daughter's graduation is fast approaching and we're trying to find a suitable dress.

Most of her clothes come from Disturbia or charity shops. She lives in her Dr Martens. And her hair is likely to be very red/purple on the day.

I support her wearing her style for graduation. But we've looked at Disturbia and most dresses are very low cut.

Criteria is not strappy, not low cut, not above the knee and not body con style. Budget around £100

Has anyone got any alternative suggestions? Thanks

Don’t forget Vinted - could get a lovely outfit from the pricier brands well in budget

I love the disturbia foxglove print dress. You could easily put a higher stitch or safety pin if it is too low cut. I would wear a vest under, but that's probably a middle aged thing!

Really? That’s a practical solution.

I wear a gown quite often at work (not at a university) but the hood only two days a year. Does the Velcro show without the hood on top of it?

When I do wear a hood I have to remember to wear a top with buttons: the hood has a loop at the front to fasten onto a button, which (since I am large of bust) then tries to pull the top upwards. I also have a couple of safety pins to keep it in place.

@JuneBringsTulipsLiliesRoses
No the Velcro doesn’t show. There’s the hook part of the Velcro is attached either side of the gown at the front (where you’d pin it) and the loop part of the Velcro is attached on each side of the hood (underneath so it doesn’t show) on the straight parts either side of the V to the front when the hood is on. The loop is redundant. No pulling and looks really neat. Hard to explain but I hope you get the gist.

Kates clothing.

The dress is really cute - the model is also tiny & flat-chested. As a PP suggested, have her try it on & if it's not a perfect fit then get it tailored to be perfect!

(And if she's self-conscious about her chest, wear a padded bra? Though the gathering below the breast will help maximise chest size anyway.)

I'm not a fan of the Disturbia style at all, but I really like this dress - would wear it myself (though given I'm a forty-something on MN that probably doesn't sell it to DD!)

@Cedricsmum I meant, does the Velcro on the gown show if you don’t wear a hood on top.

It doesn’t matter for graduation, it’s just for other occasions as there are people who often wear their gown without a hood.

https://www.allsaints.com/women/sale/laverna-floral-lace-trim-maxi-dress/W037DB-9479.html?utm_campaign=google_surfaces&utm_content=googlefreelistings&nst=0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23285103757&gbraid=0AAAAADp7WQA9jHuvoPLVFGbqEBjy4cyKP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxh_4SFRebvF8eTniBMM_MaZlzbKnHD-l4UyVcIRH4ytGCokO_xqYiQaAk8_EALw_wcB

https://www.allsaints.com/women/dresses/lana-lace-trim-mini-t-shirt-dress/W115DB-5.html

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-satin-high-neck-blouson-maxi-dress-with-flutter-sleeve-in-plum/prd/209633662?_gl=14znflr_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxiEGXr6EpF3qun7BxHQOLP0etZSQWC9vzYN_Mq--XIdLJ583be0yQcaAu5JEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBJoQqbKM0ylif2aqOTMIjXr#colourWayId-209633689

https://arvanestudio.com/products/womens-refined-lace-midi-dress-timeless-elegance?currency=GBP&country=GB&variant=50745394954486&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping&stkn=9aa18ad64c2a&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23728661229&gbraid=0AAAABDP_Ea4IZMZ0W0naj0ZAu3cKYWOJG&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxjYK5xg7QCFbSY-F0ABRJ-5RLTah1XiAqsjbJU0WA0uOHxkuCEycwMaAjm4EALw_wcB

https://www.debenhams.com/product/hell-bunny-clarimond-black-chiffon-medieval-print-maxi-dress-lace-up-puff-sleeves_p-6e27bdfe-86e6-4876-9b03-8828ed03a9f4?colour=Black&size=M&srsltid=AfmBOorPA3fAf6DqfzLcv5pcjumxWaJ0YFa-m03OysPfB8LG-g0MzgoHC-A

https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-lace-shirt-dress-contrast-colour_bcc09993?colour=black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/phase-eight-viktoria-midi-dress_p-c90ae00c-f619-4834-9296-21f042ccdff8?colour=True+Black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/anaya-with-love-floral-burnout-ruffle-maxi-dress_p-b1c3cd29-7e9b-449d-b648-60dcf7dfbd94?colour=Purple&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/james-lakeland-black-lace-hem-dress_p-26b3e78d-5163-4807-8598-195bf4907751?colour=Black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/karen-millen-placed-floral-halter-embroidered-crepe-woven-maxi-dress_bkk26296?colour=black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/oasis-printed-textured-maxi-dress_baa11870?colour=ivory&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/karen-millen-premium-lace-tailored-pencil-maxi-dress_bkk26103?colour=red&size=8&page=12&scrollTo=BKK26103

https://www.debenhams.com/product/lovedrobe-lace-midaxi-dess_p-ceaa8618-9f42-40ab-8eab-17833eca4a82?colour=Black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/oasis-yoryu-chiffon-printed-high-neck-maxi-dress_baa12626?colour=black&size=8

https://www.debenhams.com/product/tfnc-london-ame-black-maxi-dress_p-20d3f348-a697-4934-bab9-00c15bc54229?colour=Black&size=8

Then yes the small Velcro patches would show if it was gown only. But if a hood isn’t part of the academic outfit you wouldn’t have Velcro on the gown. Only in academic dress where the hood is worn

Thank you, @Cedricsmum . I imagine it depends on the university.

I think they all wear gowns and hoods on the most formal occasions, for example graduations, but some also wear the same gown without a hood more often, for example to Chapel services and formal dinners.

That Disturbia dress is lovely , get it and see how it fits .
Maybe a small alteration to the deep V neck would help .

@NellyTheCakeCould your daughter put a mesh over the top of the dress so it isn't obviously low cut or some sort of cami/lycra underneath to make it acceptable?

I only shop in shops like Disturbia so I know what it's like to try and keep in the guidelines.

There's Killstar, and Ragged Priest too

Fortunately I managed to find a suitable dress for my son wedding from Disturbia, with accessories that work with some shopping around.

Good luck

I actually have that butterfly disturbia dress in my basket for my 50th bday party! Should i not? Am i too old? Aarrgghhh (sorry it’s not all about me obvs!) i love it though and agree with PP that she should try it on and see!

https://violentdelights.co.uk/products/punk-rave-daily-life-casual-gothic-crossover-midi-dress?variant=41969090134212

What about Disturbia but with a sleek top underneath to solve the low-cut restriction?

These are slightly above budget but gorgeous:

https://www.voriagh.com/en/products/astrid-dress-black-with-contrasting-embroideries

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su900210/g11804?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23772580442&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWaxzGLYSTilqsR43dT0-Kn-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqTRBhCBARIsANrkrxgOvSGXrKKA17uPrYPVrTE_aElvlLrI7nQRmk_fNGuAtBB-avs910UaAukJEALw_wcB

Don’t forget a good dry cleaners will be able to alter a dress. I had to have shoulders shortened made smaller for boobs and suits skirts made smaller. All cost very little really and made a huge difference.

Thank you for all the brilliant suggestions

The Disturbia dress has been ordered. And I've found someone to alter it if needed.
We've also ordered a Hell Bunny dress that someone suggested.

And I've bought an Asos dress, cos you never know when you might need another dress 🙂

That is indeed gorgeous, and I’d wear that, even if I’m also old enough to be the mum, not the daughter!

Disturbia is not too low cut, they’ve got hundreds of styles. Dms can be very smart.
give the girl a break she’s just completed her studies and graduating!
by her something she wants and deserves.

DD23 wears a lot of Disturbia... she is a seniors biology teacher at an indy school and has all the foxglove, moth, bug dresses - including the grey butterfly and foxglove dresses pictured earlier. For school she wears a strappy cami underneath - one of the Next ones where you can buy a set of 7 different colours. Mix and match... and wears with biker boots and the obligatory blazer/jacket for staff.
For school prizegiving functions etc they have to wear gown and hood and the Disturbia dresses look good with them.

If you'd read my posts then you'd understand.

But I guess it's easier to be judgemental rather than read properly and offer helpful advice.

So I'll help you out.
I never said she wasn't wearing Dr Martens. That's your assumption.

The dress she wants from Disturbia is low cut. And could be a poor fit as she is almost flat chested.

But it has been ordered (and a possible alternative) And thanks to helpful PP, I've got someone lined up to alter it, if needed.

Next time you want to post something nasty I suggest you learn to read properly.

Apologies I don’t always have time to read every single thread. I just read the first one which said ‘most of their dresses are low cut’.
Glad she found something.
either way, regardless of her body shape (your latest response to me), I just think choose what she likes, go for tailoring if not exactly how she wants it but you have clearly sorted it so that is good.