What to wear for my graduation?

[allegretto]

I have this coming up in a few weeks and just realised I have no idea what to wear. The instructions say it must be smart, not casual and the top should have a button to hook the hood of the gown on to. Is that really necessary? I think the gown is sort of light blue and purple - with a floppy hat (post grad). I have a black short sleeve dress - maybe I should just go with that? Or is that a bit boring? I am mid 40s, size 12. Thanks!

[PNGirl]

I wore a short sleeved blouse with buttons and little cap sleeves with a black and white printed skirt. I didn't hook the gown on the buttons as it was too heavy and pulled my top up! Dress should be fine.

[OnnaNoHito]

I'm graduating in a few weeks too! The gown rental place said that all outfits should have a collar, but the university hasn't mentioned that in their advice and recommends a dress, so I'm wearing a nice black dress

[EduCated]

A dress with a sturdyish fabric works well so that you can safety pin the hood roughly by your cleavage. It stops the strangled look as you're shaking hands!

[InLovewithaGermanFilmStar]

the top should have a button to hook the hood of the gown on to. Is that really necessary?

Yes, yes, yes.

Academic gowns are designed for men. The hood is made with a loop which loops around a shirt button under the tie. So wear a suit or a dress with buttons down the front. Or make sure you have a VERY strong safety pin.

Tie your hair back so it's not all over the place under your mortar board. Wear your mortar board flat not at the back of your head.

Don't wear shoes with too high a heel, as you will invariably need to climb stairs and walk across a podium in front of hundreds of people. Wear a dress with an elegant skirt length, not a mini skirt.

Black sounds OK as your gown is not black, but I'd wear a jacket, so you have long sleeves coming through the gown. Honestly, you're likely to feel underdressed in bare-ish arms.

I have to sit through two graduations a year & I'm sick of seeing sloppy trousers & untucked shirts on the men, and night club style attire on the women. It's a serious wonderful occasion - treat it with respect. It's a great excuse for looking for a really elegant smart dress or suit. All the guests there will be dressed formally, as will the academic staff on the podium - my male colleagues are usually in sub fusc, but I get away with a skirt suit.

In my day we had to wear white dress & white gloves and curtsey to the Chancellor!

[InLovewithaGermanFilmStar]

For those with black gowns, I'd recommend not wearing a black dress. A bit of colour is great.

[OnnaNoHito]

GermanFilmStar unfortunately my university demands we wear either black or navy, despite having a black gown.

[Heratnumber7]

I agree that wearing a bright colour under a dark gown looks good.
We were advised to wear dark clothes, but I wore a red dress and thought it looked much better.

[EduCated]

If it's looking to be hot I'd avoid long sleeves. Lots of bodies crammed in all wearing heavy robes gets very warm!

[EduCated]

If it's looking to be hot I'd avoid long sleeves. Lots of bodies crammed in all wearing heavy robes gets very warm!

[allegretto]

Thanks for the advice. I won't have a mortar board but a floppy velvet hat (not sure if there is a word for them?) I think the black dress will probably be ok as the gown is so bright but it is quite high-necked so not sure about putting a safety pin through it - I don't want to ruin it!
GermanFilmStar - how about trousers for women?