Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Graduation shoes - help!

48 replies

gradshoes · 24/01/2024 12:40

Help! I'm graduating at the start of February and need some shoe help. Apparently heels are now mega dated? Totally stuck on alternatives. I'm graduating alongside a load of lovely twenty-somethings who are all very stylish, and don't want to look too out of place among them! Planning to wear this dress in red, but I can't really imagine it with anything but heels.

Yahvi Navy Dress – Beulah London

A Beulah classic and bestseller, we introduce you to the Yahvi Dress in navy blue. A fitting option for bridesmaids or event-season, this navy blue midi length long sleeved dress features a fitted bodice, covered buttons and a full skirt.Manufactured a...

https://www.beulahlondon.com/products/yahvi-navy-dress

OP posts:
dudsville · 25/01/2024 07:59

I have no advice, but i completely freaked out when choosing shoes for my uni graduation and opted for quite high heels. Although i managed just fine, walked well and didn't trip or fall over, I'm still anxious on behalf of myself whenever I'm reminded of it, 30 years after the fact!

RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 08:00

Given that the graduation is February what about knee high boots with a small heel?

I have some that look similar to these, and I think they look elegant with midi dresses.

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/block-heeled-knee-high-boots-capri36502-322-511?variant=40761696845909

Pavers

Pavers headless e-commerce site

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/block-heeled-knee-high-boots-capri36502-322-511?variant=40761696845909

RoseAndRose · 25/01/2024 08:06

f you're going to be non-trad by choosing red, then I really don't think it'll matter what's on your feet, so I'd wear either a comfy pair I'd already got, or buy something that suits the dress that will be suitable for its further outings (where your worries about what 20-somethings will wear on their feet won't be a factor)

As you imagine heels, then for goodness sake, wear heels.

You may as well go the whole hog and embrace departure from the norm with something from Irregular Choice!

BloodyAdultDC · 25/01/2024 08:18

Chemenger · 24/01/2024 14:13

Having sat on the platform as a member is staff at more graduations than I care to remember, I can say that high heels are worn a lot. But please make sure that you can walk in them. Our graduations involve climbing a few steps then walking across a highly polished stage. Nothing looks worse than that newborn baby giraffe look of someone in heels that they can’t walk in. Having said heels are commonly worn, so are DMs and everything in between. You want to stride confidently across that stage, whatever you wear.

I second shoes you can walk in FOR AGES.

I've seen many graduans hobbling across the stage - ours can be on the go from stupidly early (check in, gowning, photos, hike to the venue etc).

I wear heels a lot so am comfortable in them, if you don't then get practicing and wear yours in well! And get your support crew to bring comfy shoes!

SideshowAuntSallyx · 25/01/2024 08:27

RoseAndRose · 25/01/2024 08:06

f you're going to be non-trad by choosing red, then I really don't think it'll matter what's on your feet, so I'd wear either a comfy pair I'd already got, or buy something that suits the dress that will be suitable for its further outings (where your worries about what 20-somethings will wear on their feet won't be a factor)

As you imagine heels, then for goodness sake, wear heels.

You may as well go the whole hog and embrace departure from the norm with something from Irregular Choice!

I wore red to my graduation, hadn't realised there was a specific dress code I should follow. I liked the dress so wore it, I also wore heels (in red too).

Although I've never been one for conforming.

Hippyhippybake · 25/01/2024 08:29

I have a very similar dress to this one (by Roksanda) and agree that it needs a heel of some sort.

I can’t see any flat being flattering with it although if it had to be flat I would go with something very slim with a pointed toe.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 25/01/2024 08:32

RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 08:00

Given that the graduation is February what about knee high boots with a small heel?

I have some that look similar to these, and I think they look elegant with midi dresses.

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/block-heeled-knee-high-boots-capri36502-322-511?variant=40761696845909

Knee boots are better than ankle boots.

RoseAndRose · 25/01/2024 08:32

SideshowAuntSallyx · 25/01/2024 08:27

I wore red to my graduation, hadn't realised there was a specific dress code I should follow. I liked the dress so wore it, I also wore heels (in red too).

Although I've never been one for conforming.

Traditional sub fusc for women is a white shirt/blouse of sturdy enough construction that the gown won't wander with black skirt/trousers.

V few places insist on it, but it is the formal correct attire anywhere and everywhere. If you're not going formal, you may as well have fun (hence suggesting Irregular Choice) or maybe glittery Dorothy shoes, or leopard print kitten heels?

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 25/01/2024 09:05

NancyJoan · 24/01/2024 18:55

Ankle boots would look great with that. A chunky block heel boot if you like. Heels do look dated to me now, certainly during the day.

Chunky block heel ankle boots would draw the attention to them and away from the lovely dress.

RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 09:38

@RoseAndRose I don't think any of the females at DD's graduation wore "traditional" clothes at their graduations. They all wore dresses.

I'm assuming from your language your experience is Oxbridge or similar?

Teddleshon · 25/01/2024 09:56

Happy to be corrected but I wasn’t aware there was anywhere aside from Oxbridge that insisted on sub fusc for graduation. Certainly places such as Durham offer it is an option but it’s just that, an option.

innerdesign · 25/01/2024 10:28

I've never heard the term 'sub fusc' used, but my university dress code was formal for graduation 10ish years ago. I've just checked and it still is:

"Dress code

Graduation ceremonies are a formal, ceremonial occasion and you should therefore wear appropriate smart, formal clothing like:

  • dark suit / dark dress
  • dark jacket & trousers/skirt, with a white shirt/blouse
  • recognised national dress, for example, kilts"

Not Oxbridge, normal uni in Scotland

AILeaveMeAlone · 25/01/2024 10:39

We had no dress code when I graduated from medical school, about 30 years ago! Most of us wore nice summer dresses.

Chemenger · 25/01/2024 10:48

When I graduated 40 years ago, not Oxbridge, we were warned that we would not be allowed in to graduation if we were not correctly dressed correctly - more or less as described by @innerdesign above but with black rather than dark colours for women. That included white bow tie for the men. It was Scotland so men could wear kilts and national dress was allowed for overseas students.

Louloulouenna · 25/01/2024 10:52

I think Scottish institutions still have fairly conservative dress codes in place. Most universities in England seem fairly relaxed.

RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 12:20

This is from DD's university:

We advise candidates to wear a light coloured shirt or blouse with dark trousers or a skirt. A buttoned shirt or blouse is recommended as there is a loop on the academic hood which can be affixed over a button. Alternatively you may wish to bring a safety pin to help hold the hood in place. Traditional and national dress is encouraged.

However, all the girls wore dresses, quite a few being quite the opposite of conservative. One girl nearly fell out of her dress as it was so low cut.

I admit that I had to google sub fusc because I didn't know what it meant Blush
It comes from the Latin meaning dark brown.

I have just lifted this from the university of Oxford's website:

Full academic dress should be worn at all formal University ceremonies including matriculation and degree ceremonies. Sub fusc (from the Latin sub fuscus meaning dark brown) should be worn beneath your academic gown and is also required when sitting examinations.

You are required to wear your preference from the following as sub fusc:

  1. one of:

dark suit with dark socks, or
dark skirt with black tights or stockings, or
dark trousers with dark socks or dark hosiery

Socks, tights and stockings must be worn and must cover the ankle entirely. There should be no gap between the bottom of the trouser leg or skirt and the top of the socks or stockings.

  1. dark jacket, if required - worn underneath the gown
  2. black shoes
  3. plain white collared shirt or blouse with sleeves
  4. white bow tie, black bow tie, black full-length tie, or black ribbon.

PLUS:

the appropriate academic gown (see below; Academic Gowns for Students)
mortar board or soft cap

Can you imagine wearing all that lot during summer exams?

gradshoes · 25/01/2024 12:27

This is so interesting, I had no idea it varied so much from uni to uni! I’m pretty happy that red is not an ‘out there’ choice at my institution (Russell group, arts subject). It’s my second graduation at this uni, and looking back at photos from the last few years of ceremonies, all sorts of coloured dresses are being worn. Think you’d look more out of place in white blouse and black skirt tbh! But obviously that’s not the case elsewhere.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 12:29

Some of the graduates wore red under their robes at DD's graduation (RG university)

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 25/01/2024 13:40

Teddleshon · 25/01/2024 09:56

Happy to be corrected but I wasn’t aware there was anywhere aside from Oxbridge that insisted on sub fusc for graduation. Certainly places such as Durham offer it is an option but it’s just that, an option.

Mine did but that was in 1980. Many decades later the same university did for my son too but recent photos of graduands are showing coloured dresses, although men still in suits.

SideshowAuntSallyx · 25/01/2024 18:20

I graduated 18 years ago, from a traditional university. Maybe I just ignored the dress code but it was the hottest day of the year. I had no problem keeping the gown or hood on, they pinned it on on my red summer wrap dress if I remember correctly. I was also smartly/formally dressed, and I didn't fall over or walk like a baby giraffe in my heels. In fact I made the university website (and prospectus).

@gradshoes I'd say go for the red dress and wear the shoes you like.

RunnerDown · 25/01/2024 19:33

At the graduations I’ve attended in the last couple of years most of the female graduates wore dresses with heels.
I think something like these shoes would look good
https://www.sezane.com/en/product/katie-babies/black

Mamahotfoot · 27/01/2024 13:06

I have Camper's Helena's which are Mary Janes with a small heel. They are really comfy, pretty classic and go with most things so will be useful after the event for any formal / professional events.

RoseAndRose · 27/01/2024 16:23

RampantIvy · 25/01/2024 09:38

@RoseAndRose I don't think any of the females at DD's graduation wore "traditional" clothes at their graduations. They all wore dresses.

I'm assuming from your language your experience is Oxbridge or similar?

Nope!

Not Oxbridge/similar, and for both sexes there was a mix of formal academic sub fusc, daytime smart and anything goes

I simply happen to think that if you're not going academic formal, you may as well just have fun with what you wear

New posts on this thread. Refresh page