Winter smart outfit

You could have a look at Sahara. They do lovely clothes for larger ladies. Congratulations to your son. Best wishes for his future. Enjoy his graduation day.

Everyone will know how proud you are of your lovely son - your face will display your feelings. Don't worry too much about what to wear , be comfortable!! In your position I choose would dark trousers , low heeled shoes and a smart jacket in a bright colour . I am fairly sure I would not be wearing a hat although I recognize it is a personal choice. Enjoy the day !!! and congratulations to your son . I achieved a good degree at a late age after leaving school at 15! Your son has worked extremely hard and I feel sure he just wants you there and will not be in the least bothered about your outfit! Have a wonderful day !

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Jacket or coat, smart trousers, ankle boots with a little heel would be my choice (as I don’t do dresses of skirts!) But a good smart coat is an investment) Sahara has some lovely jackets- at a price, but worth it! Or you might find a coat/jacket at White Stuff. I bought the checked one below in the sale . If you’re quick-and like it- they have one size 20 left. I bought an 18 and it’s big enough to wear a jumper under, but not huge. I plan to wear it with a white polo neck, navy trousers and a bright red shoulder bag.

PS I vaguely remember from the daughters’ graduations that sone mums dressed up as if they were going to a wedding and looked totally out of place.

PPS
If you find something you like, you could also have a look on eBay- not everything is pre-worn, the likes of White Stuff, Seasalt, Joules etc also sell their remaindered stock on eBay at a very acceptable discount!

Roman have a good range too. Hope you find somthing. Comfy trousers maybe not black, dark green or chocolate? ,and maybe a tunic. Next have some smart lightweight coats. Good luck

Go to a good hairdresser and get a good cut and, if necessary. get your hair coloured. Nothing is more likely to drag a smart outfit down, or raise a less smart outfit up than well cut hair.

Just a thought: you may find that the hall where the ceremony is held gets very hot, with so many people - or not, who knows? So maybe a coat that is not too bulky in case you have limited space or have to hold it on your lap.

Don't wear a hat -think of the people sitting behind you

Attended DD's graduation in Ely Cathedreal this summer no one wore a hat, absolutely no one.

I have attended 7 graduations over the last 30 years and people do not wear hats at graduation cereemonies - unless they are academic and accompanied by an academic gown.

Which university is it? People attending graduation ceremonies at some (eg Cambridge) tend to dress up, almost as if going to a wedding, less so at others. No hat needed though. For my son’s graduation (LSE) I wore a skirt suit. I don’t remember what others wore but I didn’t feel out of place.

DS2 graduation was in November, I wore a trouser suit and smart but comfortable shoes. I’d set out with ankle boots, but left them in the hotel, they were new and rubbed. I knew it would be a long day.

White Stuff is expensive but look online at their sales items. I am sure you would find something there. As Maw said their jackets are smart and reasonably priced in the sale. I fancy two of them.

If you're going to have a photo with your son, get a nice top. Definitely no hat.

Have a look round & try a few things on first before you decide ... may take a few weeks or so, then go & enjoy !

Is it in Exeter Cathedral, Treetops05

DD's was there many years ago and it was a wonderful place for a graduation ceremony.

As others have suggested, perhaps a longish, good quality jacket, dark trousers and ankle boots - and a good haircut!
No hat - it will compete with the mortar boards.

There will be photographs ?

Germanshepherdsmum

Which university is it? People attending graduation ceremonies at some (eg Cambridge) tend to dress up, almost as if going to a wedding, less so at others. No hat needed though. For my son’s graduation (LSE) I wore a skirt suit. I don’t remember what others wore but I didn’t feel out of place.

It is Bristol, and the ceremony is in The Wills' Hall. I graduated 3 times in the 2001-4, some wore hats, and really dressed up, I just want to look smart. I look like a toadstool in a hat, and fascinators look like my head has swollen :/

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White Stuff do a rather lovely velvet coat in teal, gold (chartreuse) or a deep purple. It could look really smart and dressy with knee length boots and a skirt (or dress) or smart trousers.
Good haircut, perhaps a scarf but NO HAT - and absolutely NOT a fascinator!

I would suggest no hat or fascinator either.
Don't try to compete with mortar boards

Hope you find something which makes you feel good and that it goes well.

You definitely don't need any sort of headgear, Treetops! I would suggest a trouser suit, skirt suit or matching dress and jacket (whichever you feel most comfortable in), plus in November you will need a coat or cape. I find capes are very accommodating!

You must be so proud of your son's achievement. As they say, the best accessory is a smile and I guarantee you'll be wearing a big one!

Have a wonderful time!

Callistemon21- All my graduation ceremonies were at Exeter...and I was cold at every single one! Sitting still for hours, with little to no heating was no fun...I'm hoping Wills' Hall is heated. I suppose I could admit defeat and ask my son, but I know he will tell me off for fussing ;)

Thank you all for the advice, I am off on an Internet trawl :D

Dress as you would if you were going to Oxford or Cambridge.
Black trousers worn with a nice jacket and comfy shoes or boots and maybe an overcoat to wear over if it’s cold.

You could have a nice day out in Bristols Cribbs Causeway shopping mall where there’s a John Lewis and Marks and Spencer’s and everything in between!. Very easy to get to from the M5 with loads of free parking.

Wills Hall is hugh and very impressive and you’ll find loads of eateries in Park St, a few minutes walk away.

Suggest Cote (or the Ivy) in the lovely part of Clifton for lunch but you will need to book well in advance.

I’m sure you’ll look lovely on the day and above all stop worrying and just enjoy it.

Thank-you. I usually shop online, as due to slight disability I struggle with trawling the high street, and Exeter is somewhat limited on plus size. I've had a quick look online, but things seem either very casual, too young (I'm 56, but feel old) or too wedding! I like the coat on White Stuff. Thank you for the suggestion,

www.whitestuff.com/womens/coats-and-jackets/mid-teal-karla-velvet-coat/

I have some smart black trousers that could work, so that leaves me blouse/shoes or boots and possibly a jacket...Problem us that it's almost exactly my normal smart go-to out fit, with a new coat? Part of me feels like I'm cheating by returning to default outfits instead of trying harder? Silly, but paranoid as I'm sure my son won't even be able to say what I wore 24hrs later. Thanks again.

Congratulations to your son Treetops05.
I have sent you a pm if I can be of help.