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?

The blue is boring. The pink is much nicer.

Where is the pink one from- I fancy it myself!

Bugger, the red berry is unavailable in my size!

Thank you!

I think the fabric is not right for it x

So I checked the dress code with DD and her uni says that guests should dress as they would for a formal occasion 🙄

Yikes!!

Sorry to hear that!

@BettyBooBoobs It’s a formal day wear occasion! They mean not jeans, not shorts, not vests and not flip flops! Every university says it’s formal because the great and the good get their gowns and ermine out! You really don’t need to look like you are going to a ball! It’s day wear but not casual.

Fair enough, but I really didn’t think that the pink one was a ball gown. Please bear with me. I’m trying to navigate a dress code that is out of my comfort zone in an overweight menopausal body, not feeling like I’ve got a handle on my style and social expectations, whilst not embarrassing DD.

I agree.
The navy is a bit boring and the deep pink is made of viscose which I hate. Viscose tends to look a bit raggy very quickly.
Have you looked on the Next website?
The Love and Roses brand have gorgeous dresses. There’s a fabulous Cobalt blue lace one.
Monsoon also have lovely dresses for celebrations
Or try Dunnesstores.com - Paul Costelloe (RIP) does a diffusion line for them.

Thank you 🙏 I’ll check those out.

Ironically, the pink one is Love & Roses!

Haven’t tried the others.

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-jane-stripe-shirt-dress-blue-white/p114965175

The green Boden one is the nicest because it is cotton, plus the fullness in the skirt. Try that one. I think it will look lovely on you and totally appropriate for the event and for your build.
Many congratulations to your daughter.

@BettyBooBoobsI didn’t mean the pink dress you posted was an evening dress, but the fabric isn’t the best for your needs. It’s more of a dress for going out to a restaurant in the evening. I quite like patterned dresses, but I’m quite tall. I would not rule them out though.

Can't win on this site. Wearing a dress is too much for a restaurant and everyone laughs at people who go to restaurants wearing dresses. Someone posts a nice dress suitable for a graduation and suddenly its too much for a graduation and is more for going to a restaurant in.

People will say anything.

OP, wear the pink dress if you love it, with lovely flats as you'll be on your feet most of the time. I wore this to my own graduation on Friday https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/lace-trim-chiffon-spot-dress-aw26

The navy is a linen cotton mix. Of the suggestions MeetmeontheCorner's Boden dresses, particularly the green are the nicest but are 2 and 3 times the price of the dresses the OP picked.

I don't like the pink one at all. It's viscose, which can be a fabulous silky, drapey fabric but that one isn't and the polyester trim doesn't help so between those 2 I'd go with the navy.

Here's a few M & S closer to the price range (some of the links aren't to the right colour options so click through)

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-rich-floral-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp23068211?intid=mobileapppdpshare

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-blend-heart-print-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23065605?intid=mobileapppdpshare

https://www.marksandspencer.com/belted-midi-shirt-dress-with-linen/p/clp23071198?intid=mobileapppdpshare

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-paisley-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp61227165?intid=mobileapppdpshare

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-blend-heart-print-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp23065605?intid=mobileapppdpshare

I wore a dress from Roman for dds graduation. They have lovely dresses, quick delivery and reasonably priced.

I know it’s an important day but I really think you are overthinking this. You want to feel nice and look smart in photos but that’s it. Nobody else is going to be looking at you. Smart and comfortable is all you need to aim for.

there were graduations round the corner from our office last week and any of the options you’d posted wouldn’t have looked out of place! There lots of people carrying their heels in flip flops and flat sandals too.

@LeopardprintbikiniWho says wearing a dress to a restaurant in the evening isn’t a good idea? Anyway, this is about a graduation event in the afternoon! The fabric used for the pink dress might not be ok for day if it’s hot and sticky and that’s why it’s a dress that’s more suitable for an evening/night out. That’s why I’m suggesting cotton for the graduation - it’s not rocket science and it’s a practical suggestion so the op stays comfortable and enjoys the event.

I take the point that Boden dresses are more money but they always have 15-20% off and there might be sales ones too. I have revisited Boden this year and bought 2 shirt dresses and they are great quality in a very nice cotton. Hence my suggestion. M&S have some great dresses too.

We are often on holiday when Canterbury are doing their graduations and parents wear a variety of clothes but I would say they are in the realm of smart casual.

Doubtless they will take family photos though. We have family photos from our DCs' graduations on the wall - it's a nice memory. I wouldn't want to be looking a scruff. 😃

I don't think so at all, it's lovely.

I actually say you want to look look smart in photos?

It’s available today,so ordered it!