Is it your child that is graduation? I find it very hard to believe if you have been even just somewhat of an involved parent, that you could have no idea how other parents dress. Are your children there on a scholarship or similar?

Sloot it up.

As other PPs have suggested, Old Navy might be the way to go. Keep in mind that they have crazy vanity sizing.

The $25 dress below would flatter your figure and look quite current with gold tone jewelry and sandals or ballet flats. If you don't already have jewelry that works, Pavoi on Amazon has great looking trendy costume jewelry.


https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=705471002&cid=15292&pcid=15292&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen%3AShop+Women%27s+Categories%3ADresses+%26+Jumpsuits#pdp-page-content

Anonymous wrote:late 40s mom at an area private.

Id wear maxi dress, something like these: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-somerset-maxi-dress2

https://us.boden.com/products/bella-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-ivory-trailing-yarrow?variant=47030452945148

OP just said she doesn't want to spend. You're suggesting she spend $200. Can't you see how NOT attainable that is for her? OP here's a $25 dress: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=705281022&cid=15292&pcid=15292&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen%3AShop+Women%27s+Categories%3ADresses+%26+Jumpsuits#pdp-page-content

Anonymous wrote:late 40s mom at an area private.

Id wear maxi dress, something like these: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-somerset-maxi-dress2

https://us.boden.com/products/bella-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-ivory-trailing-yarrow?variant=47030452945148

I'm a 40 year old mom with kids at a another private with lots of wealthy families. This is spot on and you will see other moms in the Somerset dress in particular. As you're on a budget I'd suggest the Quince dupe or similar.

https://www.quince.com/women/cotton-poplin-tiered-maxi-dress?color=navy&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__%2Fwomen%2Fdresses__Maxi__0

https://www.quince.com/women/100-organic-cotton-ruched-midi-dress?color=vermilion-red&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__%2Fwomen%2Fdresses__Midi__14

late 40s mom at an area private.

Id wear maxi dress, something like these: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/the-somerset-maxi-dress2

https://us.boden.com/products/bella-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-ivory-trailing-yarrow?variant=47030452945148

Anonymous wrote:I'd wear a dress you have or something like this from HM:
https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1238340010.html

That's a little too casual.

I always wear a flowery summer dress for graduations.

If you have black pants, you could wear a silk blouse with it.

I wouldntnwear something as short as a pp posted, but would wear a dress that goes below the knees and is comfortable. You don't need to spend a fortune, look at Kohls or even Macy's for something cool amd comfortable

I'm wearing a sundress to my kid's DC private school middle grad. Its not formal for the parents.

Wear anything semi-decent. Go and have fun. No one is looking at you.

I'd wear a dress you have or something like this from HM:
https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.1238340010.html

Wear any thing but jeans, T-shirt, sneakers. It’s not like he’ll be held back by what you wear. If you have a dress, wear it. Honestly if you don’t, find one at Old Navy, because it sounds like you’ll never wear it again and don’t have money.

OP again. I should add that I am definitely more the nerdy tech type vs flowing, flowery dress type. I love it on others, but personally always look ridiculous in anything flowy or with flowers

DC private school.
Lots of wealthy families.

I've worked from home for 15 years and I am 100% not fancy.

Apparently it is "semi formal" for the kids. What does that mean for me? I feel really out of touch with fashion these days, and would not like to spend much. Ideally I'd spend nothing...recently been cut down to 50% work, so truly no clothing budget. How can I look/feel good and not feel like I stand out in my cheap-ish outfit? A black dress, maybe?

I am: 54, 5'8", size 8 - 10, pear shaped, a bit out of shape right now with an unfortunately flat butt. Normally in t-shirt and jeans.

Ideas? Links?