Graduation- what do mothers wear?

[Newname44]

I've never been to one before, not even my own! I don't want to embarrass DC. It looks like it will be pretty hot. It's Cambridge, so possibly more formal than some judging by some of the events DC has attended there, but I don't want to stand out too much, especially for the wrong reasons. I'm average height and size.

Not Cambridge but I wore a summery dress from Hobbs. No hat. It was a lovely day - most people were in dresses, bit like a slightly low key wedding.

A nice dress and maybe jacket or black trousers and nice top. Its usually a formal dress code but be comfortable too as the day can be long.

Reasonably dressy but a step down from wedding / christening - dresses and jackets but no hats.

Don't wear a hat or anything resembling a hat. A pp says think very low key wedding be smart but not remotely ostentatious.

Oh and the ceremony will be mid-afternoon in the afternoon followed by a buffet supper hosted by the master of DC's college- no idea how relaxed / formal that will be. I rarely dress formally so this doesn'the come naturally.

Also: comfortable shoes. Depending on your DC's college it can be a tidy step to Senate-House!

Great, thanks. Do you have any links to photos for ideas?
Do bags and shoes have to be the same colour as each other?

Smart dress or top and trousers with heels that won't sink into grass (just in case) definitely no hat. Equivalent to men's lounge suit, shirt and tie. It's often very warm in the ceremony, so bear that in mind - it's one of the times it's an advantage to be female as you can wear less layers

I think I wore smart 3/4 chino type trousers, nice ironed cotton blouse and leather boat shoes, linen jacket for my DC's last year. But I don't really do dressy. Some people were in summer dresses, hats and high heels, maybe they like dressing up, but for me that would have been way over the top. I hope DS wasn't embarrassed by me.
I believe in wearing what I feel comfortable in and I was travelling light as I had to leave straight from work (messy job) and stay overnight. There isn't a dress code for guests as far as I know. But I guess consider where you are going afterwards.
I went to my DM's at Cambridge and probably wore trousers and top then too.

Please not Jeans and a casual top like my mother insisted on wearing to mine

Think smart garden party. No hats.

What about something like this:
www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0117-5263-1144L00&productvarid=0117-5263-1144L00-NAVY-12&refpage=search/results
Is that too Safe-deposit could jazz it up with brighter shoes/ bag and they also have a nice Ochre pashmina- are pashminas still a thing, and would it be okay to carry one midafternoon to wear at the supper later?
I live in jeans and honestly have no idea, though I did guess I shouldn't wear them to DR'S graduation Adamanteve 🙄

I wore smart navy and white dress and a white fitted cotton jacket to my DD’s graduation. My shoes were navy patent leather heels and i rather wish i had gone with comfort over style and worn my navy wedge sandals.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll start looking in earnest as the graduation is next week!

See if you can find photos from previous years on their FB or Twitter, agree with the low key wedding description!

Hello Newname - in the same boat, same uni. Will possibly see you without knowing you next week.

I am planning on wearing cream linen trousers with a smart black sleeveless shirt and a cream scarf. I have no dresses and look daft in them. I'm banking on it being hot! Unsure about footwear as it's a long day - flat sandles I think.

I've done a few Cambridge ones and there was a really wide diversity of smartness. I wouldn't go too over the top if I were you