Looking for a dress to wear for an outdoor graduation ceremony - doesn’t have to be too formal. Tried on a bunch of dresses this weekend and didn’t find one that I was happy with. Most of the sheath dresses look great - but when I wear them, they tend to accentuate the extra weight I have around the waist 
Any recommendations for dress styles that would hide/minimize this? Or other tips?
Maybe a flowy patterned top with a skirt or pants?
Something with a looser fit on top -
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/posh-in-the-right-direction-dress
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/undeniably-adorable-dress
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/undoubtedly-adorable-dress-in-floral
If you have an empire waist garment that flows or is soft and flows below or has structure beneath the empire waist.
Maybe something like this:
I have some extra weight in the same area, and I have a few events coming up that are graduation-related. I have a dress very similar to @greenwitch 's #3 dress-colorful floral, with a handkerchief hem. It works well. But on a whim, I got a sheath dress like this on: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/token-of-adoration-dress that surprisingly hides the extra tummy. It’s a darker color than the Modcloth one, though.I think the gathers are what helps with the appearance. The third dress I found is a “fit and flare” dress that’s also floral (all of them are-I am not a fan of lacy or plain colors). That style also works for me.
Darker colors are typically visually slimming. If you have a round face, a V-neck will have a slimming effect. Bold, large prints add weight. Sheaths can be tricky, but the ones with some gathered fabric around the waist (like the one posted in #4) are great at minimizing tummy issues. I usually recommend this RL Dress cut (it comes in all sorts of patterns and solid colors, sleeves or no sleeves):
And another version:
I also think those floral patterns like in sseamom’s post make it harder to see just what shape you are in a good way! I really like all the Modcloth dresses. If you are small on top the ones in #2 look great, and I’ve found that things similar to #4 are surprisingly good at hiding a bit of a pot belly.
I have this dress from Modcloth and find it very flattering. The quality is excellent too. I’m 5’4" and it hits just below my knees which is perfect for me.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/culminate-in-charm-dress
Another slimming style:
OP, is it likely to be hot??? You mentioned outdoor ceremony - just thinking I would MELT in anything too heavy or long sleeved if it is going to be hot!
If not a sheath or shift, then fitted, right? I do think the right sheath or shift exists where it’s not super fitted, but I understand. It takes exactly the right cut. Like something that is a bit drop waisted then maybe with pleats or gathers below, sort of like the first one below. Good luck!!
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/ooh-la-pergola-dress
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/nouveau-necessity-dress
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/an-afternoon-with-you-dress-in-grey
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/its-an-inspired-taste-dress
Those RL dresses come in every imaginable sleeve configuration, and work for summer and winter.
The biggest problem with those dresses is that they are addictive for lazy, cheap folks like me who hate shopping. Almost too easy just to order another one of those, instead of finding something more adventurous.
I love all the dresses BunsenBurner linked; they are exactly the styles that minimize the belly. The fit and flare of modcloth might work on taller ladies but on a short me would just accentuate the spare tire clinging to me.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/its-an-inspired-taste-dress
Interesting how different this looks on the wee model versus the girl with Boobs, it goes from a belt at the waist to a belted Empire style
Kind of an obvious tip, but making use of the alterations folks is helpful in getting a flattering fit. For me, if an item fits through the hips, it is huge everywhere else. I choose a size based on my hips and have it taken in everywhere else.
I DO wish that almost every site used a range of models (both size and age) so that those of us over 25 and not a size 4 could get an idea of what a dress might look like on US. My D was recently looking at Rent the Runway and would look at the photos sent in by actual renters in her size. Sometimes-often-a dress that looks great on a size 2 5’10" model wasn’t so great on a busty girl in the 5’7" range.
A lot of these dresses have a belt or are otherwise somehow pulled in at the waist.
How does that work with a tummy (ie, not as much of a waist as one would prefer)?
I love drop-waist dresses, but sometimes they are hard to find
http://www.fleurdille.com/will-a-drop-waist-dress-flatter-your-figure/
I love fit and flares. Remember these models have long legs, they normally come right above my knee and I’m 5’8". There are so many styles, fabrics, colors you can find what you like. My DH thinks this style is very attractive on all ages. Here are some samples. Just go to Macy’s and filter for dress style…fit and flare. I’m not sure how they work with weight around the waist.
I find anything with stretch and ruching tends to camouflage a little extra around the middle.