What the heck do I wear when it’s 5degrees and I need to be smart and no coat

[GradNonFashinista]

For a graduation. Will be 5 degrees. Will be sat for at least 90 mins.

was planning on a dress and tights, will have my gown over the top but they’re thin. I won’t be able to wear a coat, or woolly hat. I’ve got a merino wool base layer but still worried it won’t be enough. Am I missing something obvious which I haven’t thought of.

Wait, what? They want everyone to sit outside in winter for 90 minutes with no coats? How is that reasonable?

The gown is massive - can you wear a coat under it?

Nope, I couldn't do it but if you have to I'd buy some thermals, long sleeve top and thermal leggings, tuck the top into the leggings, I'd forget the dress and wear trousers and boots and a scarf around my shoulders under the gown, some cheap gloves that you can slip off.

I possibly could wear a coat underneath but I don’t think it would look very smart, I’ve never seen anyone wearing a coat under a graduation gown. 🤷‍♀️

Why will you be sitting outside? sounds unusual for a degree ceremony

I just wouldn't comply with a rule about no coats; what are they going to do, chuck you out? Withhold the degree? It's January ffs!

No, in a building but totally unheated.

What totally unheated building is this? A working cattle shed?

Cathedral

Base layers will help, socks under tights if you can or the thermal fleece lined tights! Get the disposable hot hand warmers and tuck a pair into your tights or vest top and it'll help keep you warm 😊

Cathedrals aren't totally unheated. Even the body heat from a packed cathedral will put the temperature up. I would just go with tights under trousers if you're that concerned. Thermal vest. Worst case take a hot water bottle and leave it on your seat as you go up and get your certificate.

I keep seeing ads for leggings that look like tights. But are really fluffy and warm on the inside. Otherwise, layers and layers. Vests, your merino, another layer (low cut top that can't be seen). Smart boots with socks for the sitting part, could change to shoes for the photos.

Has someone told you it is unheated? I've never been in any church or cathedral that was. Except when the boiler at one of them broke down.

What makes you say its unheated? Catherderals are often heated by huge boilers and heating circuits and are often quite warm

Also you could wear a long line wool coat and put the gown over the top of that

Hand warmers are a good idea, I can put some in my bra!

i am worried I’m going to look like the Michelin man with loads of layers!

Men can wear a suit jacket under their gown, so why shouldn't you wear something similar?

The gown is quite voluminous IIRC. Why not wear a long down jacket or something similar that unzips. Wear it zipped up while you're hanging about, then unzip it and tuck the sides away under the gown for your walk across the stage. Wear gloves that you can tuck into the pockets of the jacket.

Get fleece-lined tights. Also get the little handwarmers that you just shake to activate. They are small enough that you can tuck them into your bra, into pockets, into gloves, into socks. They stay warm for about 6h. Larger ones stay warm for longer, but are harder to tuck into your clothes discreetly.

Durham cathedral?

Its not particularly cold, especially with body heat as PPs say.

Sew one of those foil thermal wrap into the gown lining, you will be toasty warm, and can remove the liner after

Yes, a family member of mine works there and has texted me to warn me current temp is 5degrees, she says if I’m lucky it might be 7 inside by the day of the graduation. She says it’s unheated. 🤷‍♀️

Layers. Lots and lots of layers. Not just one merino base layer but two or three. Tights with leggings over the top (two pairs if necessary) and smart boots with a heel if yoi're allowed to wear them, plus socks. Black leather gloves until you need to take them off? Bolero cardigans/jackets won't show under your gown if they're the same colour as your dress/outfit. Scarf, pashmina, or balaclava/snood to keep your neck warm.

Effectively, dress like you're going walking in the Scottish highlands.

Where IS this Puritanical centre of learning, anyway?! And what's wrong with them that they have their graduation in the winter in an UNHEATED building?! Have they warned the latest A and E?!

Stick heat patches under you clothes. Like the ones you use for a bad back.

Cardigan? You need a button to loop the hood bit on anyway?

We had this last year - yes, thermals under your smart gear! Including thermal shorts and/or cycling shorts.

Trouser suit with boots, thick socks, thermal leggings and top underneath your blouse, wool jumper, black gloves, gown.

You will be fine. It's 5 degrees for 90 minutes not minus 5.

You don't want to be dressed too warmly, aren't there things afterwards in warmer places?

I'm guessing Lincoln? It does get cold there! Too late to defer to the summer graduations I expect though.

Hope you have a great day!