What to wear to my winter graduation?

[xrosie]

I have my graduation next month and I have no idea what to wear. My undergraduate graduation was in the summer so I found it pretty easy to find a dress for it. However, I am having difficultly in deciding what to wear. It is bound to be freezing so should I wear a black dress with black tights? What do I do about a coat?

A lot of black dresses I have looked at are more of the Christmas/NYE party type than formal workwear. However, going by my previous graduation in which I wore a dress most people were not as formal as workwear.

My university's only requirements is that it is formal.

Does anyone have any advice? Or has anyone else had a winter graduation and, if so, what did you wear?

Thank you

Congratulations on your graduation! My job involves officiating at graduations so I go to a lot of ceremonies in summer and winter. To an extent, your outfit won't matter because your gown will cover it almost entirely. Depending on location, think about how warm you need your outfit to be. Gowns are pretty hot themselves, so you don't want to overheat with loads of layers underneath.

Usually our students wear a suit or dress for both summer and winter graduation, just in different fabric. Something like a fitted dress goes well under the gown if that's what you feel comfortable in. I tend to wear black so it doesn't show under the gown, but lots of people wear colours.

Also think about shoes if you have steps to negotiate - I've seen a fair few stumbles at ours over the years as the floor is uneven.

Monsoon have a lot of knitted dresses in at the moment which might work, or perhaps Boden (with a discount code)? Have a lovely day whatever you're wearing!

I agree with shoes. I used to work at a university and assist with the graduations. Dresses are a standard for the women whatever the weather, you're inside for most of it, the gowns are hot, and if you're on some sort of a stage the lighting will be hot too. Ask your parents / people attending to bring a coat for you after you hand the gowns back.

Congratulations.

@ShoesJerry Thank you. I feel the cold quite easily so think I will need to stay quite warm. I was wondering if students tend to wear black tights in the winter or bare legs?

I prefer a skater style/fit and flare dress as it is more flattering on me, so I was thinking a black skater dress with black tights?

@RavenLG Thank you, do women tend to wear black tights in the winter or just remain bare legged? I get cold quite easily and know I would be shivering in just a dress and the gown as it is in a large, airy hall. My previous graduation was during a heat wave and I was quite comfortable at that temperature despite the heavy gown.

I was very pregnant at mine! I wore a plain long sleeved dress over a long top and black tights. Your gown will cover most of you so I wouldn’t stress over it.

Tights would totally be fine, black or otherwise. Lots of jumpsuits too if you think that would be better for you?

I wore black tights to my summer graduation 😂 but that’s only because the dress I had planned out ripped when I was putting it on, and in my utter panic and fluster the only thing I thought was ok was an old short dress and I was a size 18 so hated my legs and body in general. 🙈 I was sweating my tits off all day. I almost refused photos as I was so sweaty (I sweat only from my head). Once I took that cap off it was horrific my hair was sopping wet and stuck to my head 😂

Yes, black tights definitely a winter graduation staple!