Help me choose a dress for DD’s graduation

[BettyBooBoobs]

Which of these 2 dresses do you think is the best option for me to wear to DD’s graduation. For context, I’m early fifties, size 18 and definitely menopausal. The blue dress is linen and the pink is viscose. I really like both, and DD genuinely is happy with either choice. DH is not much help, saying whichever one I prefer. Thoughts? Preferences?

Assuming the deep red dress suits your skin tone, I think that one is more fitting for a celebration. I wore a red dress when mine graduated from Bristol last year.

Oops, it looks deep red on my phone but I can see you said it’s pink!

I would say it’s more a deep fushia but either way … 😁

I’ve got a pale skin tone, and honestly I worry more about which is best suited to the occasion won’t leave me looking like a sweaty mess than matching the skin tone. 😁

Yeah, graduation can be a long day, especially if it’s hot. You’ll need comfy shoes!

@BettyBooBoobs I generally like a shirt dress, but that navy one is so boring. It’s what I wear to do the shopping in. You need something more stylish in my view. The pink dress - I am not a fan of the fabric. It’s a bit of an evening fabric and not really a day dress. Have you looked at Boden? I’ll see what I can find.

https://www.fatface.com/style/sv220806/g09211

This is about the third time I’ve recommended this but it’s my favourite dress at the moment.

Guess I’m just struggling to find something that isn’t a clingy dress that highlights every lump, bump and spare tyre but is also suitable for a graduation.
Everything I look at is a case of “I’m too fat to wear that” (I’m vertically challenged for my weight caused by medical issues) or it’s over the top / too casual for a graduation.
But I’m open to suggestions.

The fat face one doesn’t have much shape. I’m attaching cotton ones from Boden. They are dresses that are a bit special for an occasion. I find Boden really great for a comfortable day out with espadrilles

I love the flowiness (is that a word??) of this. My worries are: is this smart enough for a graduation? how will my boobs sit in the bodice part?

I wouldn’t wear linen, it’ll end up all crushed for all the photos you take. The pink one is lovely as is the blue floral one @MeetMeOnTheCorner posted.

I’m 50, 5 ft 1 and I wear a 14 in that dress which easily makes me a 16 else where. My daughter graduates next summer and I would wear it but can’t say that it’s smart enough for you.

I did have to add a popper on the bust bit. But it was very straightforward.

I’m drawn to the green one here but (not trying to be difficult, just want to understand from a styling point of view) what makes this one better than the navy one I posted? Is it the stitching, the belt or something else?

I’ve never felt stylish so my questions are coming from a place of genuinely trying to understand why one option is better than another. 😊

Good point!!! I forgot about that! I was so focused on DD and her photos!

Thank you 🙏

It just feels like a bit of a minefield - some people’s graduation photos show people quite smartly turned out, others are more smart casual, and I don’t want to get it wrong.

I completely get that. I hope you all have a lovely day.

Thank you 🙏

And I hope you have a wonderful time when your DD graduates.

DD’s friends mum wore linen at their graduation last month and her outfit was so crushed in the photos.

go for something you feel comfortable in because it’s a long day. I wore wedge sandals but took flatter sandals for after the photos. Much comfier.

Just been to one last week. Felt the people who looked the most comfortable/stylish were in cotton dresses , they were smart but not all in jackets , shirt dresses were super popular with ballet flats /wedges . The people in slinky , chiffons , satins , organzas etc kind of looked over done a bit . Just a perspective . Hope you have a nice day

I’ve had my eye on this for a while!

im assuming you have it? Whats the fit like?

sorry to de-rail!!

out of the two I prefer the pinky one as it feels more special. Have you tried them on?

Good idea about the shoes!

Think maybe both options are going to get creased🥴

@HydrangeaRose Spot on. It’s a day event and you should wear a day dress. Linen does get crushed. Men get away with it somehow but women don’t.

@BettyBooBoobs I think green is a better colour and it’s cotton and not linen. The skirt has more fabric and looks more expensive and stylish - in my view. It’s a good length and you can just add gold jewellery and flattish shoes. A raffia bag would look great.

Thank you 🙏

Do you think the pink one I posted is too much?

I’m going to keep looking.

It’s a perfect length for me, just about ankle length. It fits well but I did have to add an extra popper on the bust. I’d say I’m largish of boob but not massive.

Thank you 🙏

That’s really helpful.