Graduation

[dontbelonginherworld]

I've got to go to graduation for me child but I'm worried cos it's a university with loads of wealthy families who are different to us none of us have been to university in our family and I'm worried there is gonna be parents in posh clothes and stuff but we are on benefits and have no cash for the fancy stuff so will be in everyday clothes. We don't belong in that world and I don't want to show them up by looking bad next to the other parents. I don't know what to do. I'm a single parent and can't help feel it's going to be all yummy mummies and daddies in their expensive clothes and cars and I'll be looked down on.

I wore a uniqlo dress to ds' - and was one of the more dressed up! Noone will be that interested in parents and visitors tbh. Wear something comfortable.

I wore a £9 dress from Matalan to my DS’s graduation and looked fine. Enjoy the special day.

I am very proud the odds were stacked against them but they got all a star and as in GCSEs and a levels they got a lower offer because of the school they were at but exceeded it. I told them the other day I was proud cos having a lone parent had been a disadvantage and they said I was never one because I'd always supported them
I have something in my eye you have all been so lovely

At my graduation ceremony, I have no idea what people wore. The day was just lots of fun with trying to stop robes and the silly hat things falling off. no one is looking at anyone else’s family outfits.

People where all sorts, Yes tends to be smart but don,t feal you need to buy an outfit, black trousers and pretty/smart top will be fine.

Congratulations on your DC, what a fantastic achievement!

DC1 was at Durham and they really do make the graduation a special occasion, you’ll have a great day. I honestly couldn’t tell you what another parent was wearing - except that they were wrapped up warm! Despite being in June it was driving rain and about 10 degrees so it was boots and coats all round. So weather appropriate would be my only advice.

Do you have a friend who is a similar size who might be able to loan you some clothes?

If the graduation is coming up soon, and in the U.K., you will probably want to wear a clean, smart coat, with a clean, smart scarf and polished warm shoes or boots. What you wear under your coat is unlikely to be seen very much so just wear something you like, and make sure it's clean and ironed, and any loose buttons sewn back on or trailing threads trimmed off.

Wear shoes or boots that are comfortable, as these events to involve a lot of standing around.

Make sure you turn off your mobile phone(s). Put a small bottle of water, a pack of tissues, and possibly a small snack (e.g. cereal bar) in your bag. Leave plenty of time to get there and plan your route (and parking, if you're driving) in advance, make sure you know which building, entrance, seat number, etc. and take any relevant paperwork.

And congratulations to your child, OP!

It's Durham so quite posh. I've got some black trousers and was going to wear them with a bright top and waterfall cardi and flat pumps if that would do.

Sounds completely appropriate. My parents wore suits from M&S to my graduation (25 years ago!) and they looked really nice. I expect they wore the same outfits when my DB graduated from Durham two years later. I am extremely old so dress codes have probably relaxed somewhat since! The point I was making is my parents looked good even though they were fairly inexpensively dressed and it was a fancy university.

In all honesty, no one will be paying attention to what you’re wearing. There’s hundreds of people. No one will care.