Graduation advice - gown/hood with velcro

[OOAOML]

OU graduation next month - apparently the gowns and hoods have Velcro fastenings, but there's a comment on one of the advice pages about bringing safety pins/a brooch as well if we want. Anyone have experience of these gowns? Do they hold the hood securely or do you still end up looking like it's throttling you?

I've been looking at a dress that's quite a light/silky fabric, so if the gown/hood is going to drag on it I'll need to think again. I was also thinking about wearing a jacket but think I'll end up roasting in that case as everyone says the robes are hot.

I know lots of advice is skirt and blouse, but I really don't suit that or feel comfortable in it so I'd prefer a dress.

For the OU gowns usually the Velcro is enough to hold the hood in place, without needing additional pinning (although you have to be a little careful not to shrug the whole thing off).

Thanks - I see pictures of willowy young things with their gowns sliding stylishly off the shoulder, but I'm a short dumpy 40 something and don't think I can carry off the look. Might get something a bit less likely to be slippy fabric then,

If you want it to sit lowish on your front, not falling off your shoulders, the only thing that works IME (professional gown wearer) is safety pinning the loop to the middle bit of your bra (make sure it's a substantial bra and that you have it tight enough round the band). The people in the robing room are always lovely and will help you do this though so don't worry about it. They usually have spare safety pins. Enjoy your graduation!

So I'd say go for the slippery dress if you like it, as long as you don't mind putting a safety pin through the fabric. I've never found the velcro strong enough. You definitely won't need a jacket as well - academic gowns are basically a coat.

Thanks Just - I'm thinking about this one www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-full-sleeve-midi-dress/navy/p3745172 - when I tried it on I think I could actually pin something to my bra through the slit there. Not sure I'd want to pin something heavy to the fabric as I think it might rip.

Also tried this one at lunchtime, which is kind of ok but not making me feel great www.lauraashley.com/uk/dresses/navy-v-neck-pleat-detail-crepe-dress/invt/mdb996

Oh and my bras are miracles of engineering so no worries about being substantial enough

That first one is lovely! You don't want anything fussy under a gown or it fights for attention but the lovely sleeves on that one will make you feel all glamorous and interesting. And a quick Google tells me the OU's colours are blue and gold, so navy will work beautifully. The safety pin doesn't take all the weight, your shoulder do most of it but it does help it all stay in place a lot - I've never had a tear in ordinary kind of fabrics (cotton, poly-cotton, polyester) but I've never worn e.g. chiffon or silk. Glad your bras are up to the job!

Thanks - the sleeves gave me a bit of pause but in real life they don't look quite as billowy (I maybe just don't have amazingly slender arms). And I could wear it for work after. Whereas the second one was just kind of 'meh, colour's ok and the length's ok'. Yes, dark blue gown with a lighter blue and gold hood.