What am I going to wear for my own graduation in November?

[feesh]

I’m (hopefully) graduating in Edinburgh in November (MA) and I have NO IDEA what to wear.

I know the classic white shirt look is supposed to be the way forward, but I’m worrying about two things : (a) being freezing cold and (b) shoes - I have a disability which means I can’t wear ANY kind of heel (even a tiny one).

I’m aware that you need to ideally have buttons in the neck area to fix the hood with.

So I’m thinking some kind of flat boots would work? Would that be ok? And how would you build an outfit around that?

I know it’s ages away, but I live overseas and there are lots of winter clothes on sale at the moment, so if I see anything suitable I’d like to buy it.

The other thing that is stressing me out is that I seem to have a sensory aversion to clothes that aren’t stretchy and the thought of wearing a shirt and suit freaks me out slightly! I have really broad shoulders and a very long body and it’s hard to find shirts that fit.

I’m 5’8 and a size 14 with a thick waist.

Do Edinburgh still issue rules for what you’re meant to wear? The white shirt/black skirt when I graduated was because the handbook told us to! (We looked like waitresses) The gown will hide a cardigan if that’s more comfortable and is pretty heavy and warm, you definitely do need to have something for the hood - that should be chest height, not neck otherwise you look like it’s strangling you! Subtle safety pin would do if a shirt really isn’t you. Boots will be fine, plus practical if it’s tipping it down.
Congratulations!

I’m a lecturer, and our graduates are asked to wear black and white, or national dress. Most of the female students wear black dresses - would a shirt dress work for you? The robes get pretty warm, so even in November you won’t be too cold.