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Original poster

What do mums wear for graduations?

110 replies

MoonshineandMagic · 31/08/2023 14:16

My lovely DD graduates in October and I'm unsure what to wear for the ceremony. I've got a nice dress I wore for a black tie do at work last year but I'm thinking that may be a bit OTT. Or I could go for my default smart option of leather leggings and blazer but maybe that's too casual?

Has anyone else been to a graduation this year and if so what did you wear?

If it helps I'm 50, 5'2, not particularly thin and dont really do dressing up!

OP posts:
astarsheis · 31/08/2023 21:42

I wore a dress for one, it was a DvF but not particularly fancy. For the other one I wore some nice palazzo pants with a top and wedges.
As mentioned by others, there can be a huge range of outfits. Think my two liked the fact that I made an effort without overdressing.

Absolutelynotfor2019 · 31/08/2023 21:51

I dressed smart casual for my children’s graduation and unfortunately missed third child’s because of the snow back in December. I also considered their personalities to help with my decision!

HRHTheDuchessOfBotox · 31/08/2023 21:53

Wear anything you like as long as it’s not a hat.

Highdaysandholidays1 · 31/08/2023 21:58

I think no jeans is a good guide, although I don't think it's an issue at all if you do, just if you have a choice. I've been on the platform with colleagues in jeans, think it looks a bit shoddy on their part.

Otherwise I love the variety, lots of lovely shirt dresses of fancy sorts, wide legged trousers, we have a lot of international students, the Italian women look stunning and weddingy.

Original poster
MoonshineandMagic · 31/08/2023 21:58

OK it sounds like I definitely need to go dress shopping 😩

I’m not really a dress person although I’d like to be. I’m heavier than I’d like atm, size 16 top/18 bottom, not that tall with big boobs. Unsurprisingly I find it hard to find dresses that fit and don’t look frumpy.

I’m not comfortable in anything too dressy and don’t want to spend a fortune on something I’m unlikely to wear again. I prefer simple fitted shapes and block colours, maybe something slightly edgy - if budget was no object I’d go for Vivienne Westwood or something like that.

I’d be comfier in trousers or a jumpsuit but I’d want to wear them with trainers and I’m sensing that wouldn’t be the right look.

OP posts:
Highdaysandholidays1 · 31/08/2023 22:01

I think smart trainers with suit sounds amazing. I hate most dresses and so won't be wearing one (I do wear black dresses sometimes but again, I'm guessing that's not the look!)

43ontherocksporfavor · 31/08/2023 22:01

Durham graduation last year. DH wore a suit and I wore a dress that would be suitable for a wedding guest or garden party. . We felt we had it right.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/08/2023 22:02

Wildermess · 31/08/2023 15:14

Imagine you’ve been invited to a nice restaurant for lunch with people you hope to impress a little. So - nothing too fancy, as it’s daytime, but just your best version of yourself.

You may be sitting around for hours so don’t wear anything that’s going to be uncomfortable.

(Your daughter’s lucky to have you there! Neither of my parents had been able to attend any of my graduation or professional ceremonies …)

This!

Highdaysandholidays1 · 31/08/2023 22:02

The other thing to think is...no-one is looking at or interested in you! Parents are besotted by their children and never more than at graduation, so it's all about their photos, their day, I don't think what you wear is going to have so much impact (just good for you to feel comfy/right).

HannahinHampshire · 31/08/2023 22:06

Wedding guest without the hat is how I attended DS’s graduation a few years ago. But honestly - if that’s ‘too much’ - do what you want. Maybe not old jeans and T shirt though!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/08/2023 22:14

HannahinHampshire · 31/08/2023 22:06

Wedding guest without the hat is how I attended DS’s graduation a few years ago. But honestly - if that’s ‘too much’ - do what you want. Maybe not old jeans and T shirt though!

I'd say bit more casual than wedding guest post Covid in my experience.

43ontherocksporfavor · 31/08/2023 22:19

Always better to be over than underdressed.

Wildermess · 31/08/2023 22:38

Wedding-y end of the spectrum.

Lancelottie · 31/08/2023 22:54

I wouldn't overthink it. I've been to one graduation in sleet and snow, where most of the parents wore huge coats and woolly hats (and most of the girls wore strappy sandals, because they're impervious to cold at that age). At a pissing with rain one the following year, most of us couldn't be seen for umbrellas.

zozueme · 31/08/2023 23:13

I don't even remember what my parents wore to my graduation but I'm glad they were there 🙂 Don't overthink it I'd say, and trousers or a jumpsuit would be fine if that's what you're most comfortable in.

2chocolateoranges · 31/08/2023 23:15

For ds’s this year I wore a knee length black dress and black wedges.

my friend wore a navy and cream longer length dress for her dd’s.

there was a mix of outfits from dresses, to trouser suits to jeans and a blouse.

wear what you feel comfortable in.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 31/08/2023 23:31

I’m a lecturer and think most mums at our graduations pitch it at fancy lunch/evening wedding do type outfits. I teach a creative subject and often wear black jeans to work, but I wouldn’t for the graduations even though I’m not on stage.

Dads tend to be in smart/smart-casual office type outfits - dress trousers/shirt/tie/no-tie/full suit.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 31/08/2023 23:43

Definitely think the leather leggings would be too casual. I'm an academic. I really wish I paid more attention to what mothers wear as dd is graduating next summer. She's doing medicine and they are generally more notiony than the rest of us so I assume a bit dressier.

What i remember is wide trousers and jackets. Nice dress with heels. Basically, as others have said, slightly more casual than a wedding. Your figure sounds similar to mine. I find wrap dresses are less frumpy than a lot of other styles. I usually wear a cami underneath. I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight before the graduation so will hold off until after Christmas before looking for a dress.

Ds' graduation was so much easier. It was 2020 so it took place in our sitting room gathered around a laptop.

Original poster
MoonshineandMagic · 01/09/2023 06:21

@OchonAgusOchonOh I’m so proud of her and I’m sure it will be a lovely day but that sounds an awful lot easier 😂

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OP posts:
Paq · 01/09/2023 06:57

Think about the photos. What will look nice against your daughter's outfit (assume her gown is black?).

astarsheis · 01/09/2023 07:01

MoonshineandMagic · 31/08/2023 21:58

OK it sounds like I definitely need to go dress shopping 😩

I’m not really a dress person although I’d like to be. I’m heavier than I’d like atm, size 16 top/18 bottom, not that tall with big boobs. Unsurprisingly I find it hard to find dresses that fit and don’t look frumpy.

I’m not comfortable in anything too dressy and don’t want to spend a fortune on something I’m unlikely to wear again. I prefer simple fitted shapes and block colours, maybe something slightly edgy - if budget was no object I’d go for Vivienne Westwood or something like that.

I’d be comfier in trousers or a jumpsuit but I’d want to wear them with trainers and I’m sensing that wouldn’t be the right look.

I think you could def wear a nice jumpsuit with trainers...but I guess its the way you put stuff together. I really do not think it has to be a dress, especially in October when you will probably be wearing a coat too. For both graduations I attended, it was very hot and the one thing i got wrong , was the shoes. Had some feet at both events as there was quite a bit of walking.

CheersToMe · 01/09/2023 07:18

Paq · 01/09/2023 06:57

Think about the photos. What will look nice against your daughter's outfit (assume her gown is black?).

Good point. That's prompted me to look up gown and hood colours for mine.

gogomoto · 01/09/2023 07:54

All kinds! Varies a bit by institution but the main look is day wedding/races type vibe. Per Una dresses were definitely the predominant look (this is a mid ranking university) perhaps some John Lewis concessions, just avoid red carpet type dresses or anything revealing. That said there were a few in more casual outfits especially men, everyone gets in whatever they wear.

gogomoto · 01/09/2023 07:56

Oh and you are likely to walk on grass so think about footwear carefully- I wore painted dm's to my DD's

gogomoto · 01/09/2023 08:02

Btw I've done 2 universities and a specialist college so far, generally styles were all smarter than leather leggings, but each time there was "that" mother wearing an outfit that embarrassed her child (nobody wants to see the underwear of a 45/50 year old!) last time is was dsd's friends mum, the friend was so embarrassed (the mum also had eyelashes done, huge hair, heavy makeup and insisted on going clubbing with the grads Grin)