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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wear leggings to DD's University Graduation?

354 replies

OneToughMudderFudder · 15/10/2019 10:17

Big row this morning as DD wants me to wear a bloody evening dress like she is Hmm.

I'd planned to wear my new knee high brown boots, camel knee length coat with a black polo neck and leggings underneath.

DH (who is wearing a suit) and DD are horrified. It's a daytime ceremony.

Who's BU?

OP posts:
Kanga83 · 15/10/2019 10:18

Sounds absolutely fine and perfect. Most of those graduating will be in suits /blouses/shift style dresses as you need somewhere to pin the colours anyway.

ColaFreezePop · 15/10/2019 10:18

You are.

Please wear a nice dress or trouser suit.

Rainwilds · 15/10/2019 10:18

They are. No need for you to dress up at all. Been to many graduations. Never seen parents dress up to the extent your DD wants xx

Rainwilds · 15/10/2019 10:19

Plus, no one will be looking at you anyway!

Raera · 15/10/2019 10:19

I think you are. These are usually smart occasions. No not an evening dress, but maybe a knee length dress or skirt with your boots and coat

quirkychick · 15/10/2019 10:20

It sounds pretty smart, as long as the leggings look like slim, tucked in trousers rather than see through or bobbly etc.

GCAcademic · 15/10/2019 10:20

Evening wear is not appropriate for graduation. Some students may wear it, but no parents will.

TeethingBabyHelp · 15/10/2019 10:21

At the graduations I've been to the parents usually dress fairly smartly - suits, nice dresses and jackets, trouser suits. I think your outfit sounds a bit like a nice everyday outfit rather than a special occasion outfit to be honest.

peachgreen · 15/10/2019 10:21

Is she really wearing an evening gown?! What university is this? Maybe there's a more formal tradition that we don't know about.

ErrolTheDragon · 15/10/2019 10:21

All of you are BU ... it shouldn't really matter what you're wearing, so long as it's smart and decent. An 'evening dress' sounds ridiculous ... OTOH this is your DDs big day that she's worked hard for. Leggings sound a little underdressed, esp if you take the coat off.

sue51 · 15/10/2019 10:21

What you are wearing sounds fine. I can't recall anyone wearing evening dress at my daughter's graduation earlier this year.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 15/10/2019 10:22

I don't think leggings look smart whatever they are worn with tbh.

pinkcardi · 15/10/2019 10:23

I would wear skinny black trousers, or perhaps some decent quality leggings with that outfit (which sounds lovely by the way). But there's no way I'd ever wear leggings to anywhere other than the gym, certainly never to an event.

Applesanbananas · 15/10/2019 10:23

well it's her day and shes asked you for something doable. why be difficult when you can just make her happy?

Stefoscope · 15/10/2019 10:23

Evening dress is a new one on me, won't her gown cover most of it up? I'm pretty sure black trousers/dark skirt and a blouse was the dress code when we graduated and that was a fairly well-to do university. You're outfit sounds absolutely fine as a guest, I would generally consider the dress code for graduations less formal than a wedding.

NotTonightJosepheen · 15/10/2019 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Winterriscoming · 15/10/2019 10:24

I work at a university and in my experience the parents do dress smartly. Usually a dress and suit affair.

WaterSheep · 15/10/2019 10:24

To me leggings are not a substitute for trousers. So your outfit sounds fine providing you add a skirt. Grin

As for your DD wearing an evening dress, that seems unusual.

PotteringAlong · 15/10/2019 10:24

Evening dress is over the top but leggings not appropriate.

Gruzinkerbell1 · 15/10/2019 10:24

I’d wear trousers rather than leggings.

I certainly wouldn’t wear an evening dress.

dollybird76 · 15/10/2019 10:26

YABU. Graduation is an opportunity to dress up! And typically family will have photos together to commemorate the occasion. It's her day- it's a big achievement for her- so if she's going to look back on them, make sure that she doesn't just see your leggings and remembers the row you had instead of the day.

ispepsiokay · 15/10/2019 10:26

I would not embarrass my child by wearing leggings to their graduation ceremony.

Wowisthatwhatyearitis · 15/10/2019 10:27

You are unreasonable for wearing brown and black together[shockWink

Your coat sounds good. Is it a money issue?
If so, what do you already have that could go with the cost?

TheWernethWife · 15/10/2019 10:27

Cola OP has said her DD wants her to wear an evening dress!!! I have never read anything so crazy for a daytime event. Smart day dress or trouser suit is most suitable. You will be sat in the audience and then somewhere to else take photos. I have been to several graduations and sometimes people do go over the top but never in evening dresses.

Coralfish · 15/10/2019 10:29

Are you using evening dress as an exaggeration? I think graduation attire is usually on a par with daytime wedding guest. Personally I think the full mother of the bride look is a bit OTT, but lots of parents do it. I think it is a way to show pride in your daughter, making an effort to dress up. Definitely not an actual evening gown though. A nice dress under the camel coat, or smart trousers or skirt and a nice top will do. Surely you can find a compromise somewhere between leggings and evening gown!