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Original poster

What did you wear to your kid’s graduation?

56 replies

Soupercat · 19/04/2022 08:23

Did you feel good? I don’t want to do MOTB or trussed up in some floral shit.

What are your top tips?

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 19/04/2022 08:28

I'm having the same dilemma, DSs uni has a very formal graduation ceremony, he has to wear a white bow tie etc. Im usually to be found in trainers and dungarees! I have a long cotton shirt dress that might do at a pinch but it's a bit plain and I don't have formal shoes or a coat that go with it. I think I'll have to dress as if Im a wedding guest.

Fizzbo · 19/04/2022 08:34

I just wore a nice dress & DH wore smart trousers & a shirt (no tie) as it was a baking, hot day. Most other parents wore similar clothing. I didn’t see anyone looking like a wedding guest. It was a lovely day.

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2022 08:38

Smart trousers, new tunic top, best sandals & bag.

ApolloandDaphne · 19/04/2022 08:39

A linen shift dress from Next and sandals. It was Billy boilers the day she graduated so I needed nothing else.

lissie123 · 19/04/2022 08:41

Wore a dress. DH wore flowery shirt chinos and linen jacket.DS wore fitted jacket shirt tie chinos. Parents dressed up but not to wedding standards. Everyone looked smart though. Had an amazing day. It was three weeks ago. Still thinking about it.

Original poster
Soupercat · 19/04/2022 08:50

They’re big things now. In my time most people didn’t go to theirs. Maybe because you pay for them?

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 19/04/2022 08:53

That sounds nice @lissie123 DS has to wear a dark suit and white shirt and bow tie OR national dress, he doesn't own a suit so that's another item on the shopping list. I think I'll just wear my shirt dress and see if I can get a nice cardigan/wrap and some sandals.
By wedding guest I don't mean wearing a hat etc. I wouldn't go that far, but I'd feel more relaxed if I don't stick out either way.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 19/04/2022 08:56

No trainers or foot ball shirts. Nice shoes and handbag. Smart like you'd go for an interview but not weddingy.

Wbeezer · 19/04/2022 09:01

By wedding guest, i dont mean a hat etc. It's just my benchmark for taking my gardening clothes off and putting a dress on!

Lulu1919 · 19/04/2022 09:24

Wear what is comfortable to you
I worse a pretty tea dress style frock with wedges and a wrap for one...July
The other a slightly more formal fitted dress from Phase Eight with heeled shoes and wrap ...late September
There was a real mix of clothes
Husband worse a suit to both ...but he's either jeans or suit and doesn't have anything in between !!!

ExConstance · 19/04/2022 10:49

I've been to two in my role as mother and just wore a nice summer dress, which was what nearly all of the other mothers were wearing. DH and non graduating son wore suits, which most other fathers / brothers did, but there was a huge variety and I'd suggest smart chinos and linen type jacket would look good as an alternative. One of the nice things about a graduation ceremony is that ( unless you are the graduate) anything smartish goes.

SlatsandFlaps · 19/04/2022 10:51

Ceremony? Is this an American thing? We never had ceremonies that you could invite family to, at Uni. Why on earth would you?! Sounds cringeworthy

Original poster
Soupercat · 19/04/2022 10:52

Well, there was one available in 1992 so I don’t know where you’ve been

OP posts:
PhantomErik · 19/04/2022 10:54

I wore a navy trouser suit with a white sleeveless blouse with a sort of cowl neck underneath to my DSS graduation. It was September & quite chilly so I was glad of the jacket.

HuntingoftheSnark · 19/04/2022 11:08

I wore a Hobbs pale blue dress and jacket, a bit wedding guest but most parents were pretty smart.

Floisme · 19/04/2022 11:17

I can't speak for the USA but they've been standard practice at UK unis for as long as I can remember - and I graduated in the 70s. As far as I'm aware, it's up to the graduate who they invite (subject to a limit on numbers) but lots of young people are fully aware that their parents supported them through uni so hey, maybe it's their way of saying 'thank you'?

I've witnessed quite a few and they've always been pretty smart but not at wedding level - e.g. no hats and plenty of women in trousers.

HeddaGarbled · 19/04/2022 12:17

Ceremony? Is this an American thing? We never had ceremonies that you could invite family to, at Uni. Why on earth would you?! Sounds cringeworthy

That’s nonsense. It’s standard practice now and was when I graduated 40 years’ ago.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 19/04/2022 12:19

@SlatsandFlaps

Ceremony? Is this an American thing? We never had ceremonies that you could invite family to, at Uni. Why on earth would you?! Sounds cringeworthy
I went to my sister's 25 years ago so it's not a new thing at all. Ceremony, lots of clapping the strawberries and cream and photos afterwards Smile
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 19/04/2022 12:21

**then

ApolloandDaphne · 19/04/2022 12:40

I had a ceremony when I graduated in Scotland in 1984 which my DP and DH (boyfriend then) attended. I have no idea why anyone would think this is a new thing.

NorthernSoul55 · 19/04/2022 13:06

@Soupercat

Well, there was one available in 1992 so I don’t know where you’ve been
And I had mine in 1983. I won't say what I wore for my own (very 80s) but for DDs I wore a smart dress, more a business dress and a long smart coat. It was in October so not summer dress weather.
Wbeezer · 19/04/2022 14:45

Ive got photos of my Dad at his in 1964, my Granny wore a Persian lamb coat, a felt hat and a sturdy handbag and shoes like her Maj wears, I won't be copying that look!

Original poster
Soupercat · 19/04/2022 14:47

Oh well if we are going back that far… lol
I’ve no idea if my grandpa had one in 1921 😂

OP posts:
ExConstance · 19/04/2022 15:14

Ceremony? of course, mine was in 1977 and I remember it well, DS1's was at Oxford and in Latin - very exciting, DS2's more laid back in a northern redbrick uni.

SarahBellam · 19/04/2022 15:24

Academic here - there’s a real mix of styles but in general there’s an overall theme of ‘christening/out for a nice dinner’ feel to graduations - not a full on wedding outfit, but not a night down in Wetherspoons either. One thing to note is that it’s hard to predict what temp the venue will be, particularly in summer, so wear layers that can easily be removed. I’ve sat in the same venue on different occasions and variously frozen or boiled. Remember that you will be in lots of photos beaming proudly with your triumphant offspring and their friends so you will want to look well.