Winter smart outfit

Many congratulations to your son.
I've been to quite a few graduations at Wills Hall. Few tips - Gowns, photos at the Student Union then walk down to Wills Hall so comfortable shoes required as you probably know it's hilly. Nowadays the graduations are more relaxed, no hats and nothing ott. Chose comfortable, well cut clothes in colours that make me happy are my go to with very thin thermals. Graduation celebrations can be rammed following the ceremony so do book or have the meal the evening before and do something fun afterwards (not that a meal isn't fun) Bristol always has fun things to do so have a look on sites such as WhatsoninBristol. Enjoy x

My advice Wouid be to make sure you have a professional cut and colour just before the event. I’ve seen ladies with nice smart outfits on but their hair isn’t good and so the outfit doesn’t look smart and so they tend to just look schlocky ( scruffy)

Also buy some decent foundation garments. I’ve recently found I need them now I’m
bigger than i used to be since the menopause.
They make such a big difference to the line because they smooth out lumps and bumps and hold you in , they make an outfit look ten times more expense and smarter.
No point in spending on a great outfit without hair done and good undergarments for the
‘Underneath’ as my old nana used to say I’m a whisper as though she was saying a dirty word
? X

Just make sure you are comfortable!

If you have a John Lewis store near you, why not book one of their stylists to help you choose? There is no fee and you just pay for whatever you buy. I did this a while ago and it was fun. I bought a couple of thing which I wouldn't have considered but which work very well.

If you have 1 near you why don’t you try a personal shopping experience with John Lewis… FOC and no obligation to buy.

Add a beautiful silk scarf to change your usual to unusual…

I would go for a soft knitted or woollen dress, loosely fitting as you will be sitting for long periods, worn under a tailored coat or jacket in a classic style which suits you. I think plain fabric and unfussy style as you are short, (I am too) and rely on a colour which really suits you. Really comfortable shoes with block heels if you wear them and a small clutch bag, with plenty of tissues!
You have given yourself plenty of time to look, autumn styles ar coming in daily and also consult shop assistants for advice, as they know their stock and know what will be coming in.
I am sure you will have a wonderful day,

M0nica is right. Start with your hair-do.

You might find a nice outfit on Chesca - and ideally one you can wear again!

chescadirect.co.uk/?adscale=1&campaign_id=12452931514&utm_campaign=Brand+%28Google%29&utm_source=adscale_search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=chesca&device=m&creativeId=617802885064&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwvNaYBhA3EiwACgndgj3pB1I12I4WvVLMoAY7uEdX9oCqI34E_MDsL1bhvzKsnHFtw4YidxoCW-EQAvD_BwE

That’s true! Might as well move to N Korea! I was just thinking OP was talking of maybe black trousers so giving support!

No doubt it did GSM. It wouldn’t do if we were all the same, would it?
?

My suit was black. It looked good.

On both occasions I deliberately avoided wearing black - the colour of their outfit befitting their day. I aimed to be the smartly but subtly dressed proud mum in a minor role - and wore muted shades of pink.

I love Seasalt - they have some very flattering dresses right up to size 28, so you will have plenty of choice. Perhaps a jacket or a smart wrap?

Please don’t worry treetops. As someone who had two graduations as a very mature student can I just say I didn’t notice what my family were wearing. I was just delighted to have them there and terrified the mortar board would slip down over my eyes. We talked about clothes before the event. My advice to them all was wear what you’ll feel happy in. If you’re comfortable it doesn’t matter whether the clothes are new or old, please just enjoy the day

I kind of think that if I go and buy a new outfit for an event it shows the person concerned that I am delighted to be invited and that I want them to feel special through me. If that makes sense.
My DD2 would definitely appreciate my efforts, though DS probably wouldn't notice if I were wearing a 10 year old outfit!

Sorry about the random "today" wretched predictive text.

How often do we feel obliged to buy a complete new outfit which then sits in the wardrobe reproaching us? I'm not talking about weddings although even then I think many have a common sense bypass- I know I did for at least one of my Ds' weddings.
So treat yourself to a lovely cashmere jumper and an extravagant scarf (I got two beauties from Amazon earlier today year) to go with the coat and the effect should be luxurious! Maybe a statement (Prue Leith) necklace under the coat for when you take it off at lunch. Oh and a smart shoulder bag - and gloves!
And send us a picture when you've put it all together please.

Definitely a nice lipstick too.

I recycled my outfit from DD1’s first wedding for DD2’s graduation, but without the hat. It was Summer, so a floaty dress with a plain jacket from a company called Mimosa (probably out of business by now).

Treetops
Lovely choice of coat. But definitely not with a blouse. Polo neck jumper with something warm under that.
You could then lift the whole outfit with a patterned silk scarf.

Don’t worry about not having a new outfit - the suit, blouse, shoes and bag I wore for my son’s graduation were all things I already had and felt good in. There were some very wealthy parents of overseas students there - none knew I hadn’t bought a new outfit and I don’t recall envying any other woman- after all, she wasn’t my son’s mother!

Have you tried box2 they do some nice tops and trousers which you can dress up or down. Also I like Roman originals very smart stuff. Have a lovely day whatever you wear.

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

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.

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.