What to wear to graduation

[jellybe]

Have my graduation next week and don't have a clue what to wear. I'm a curvy size 10/12 5'2 and late 30s.
Budget up to £100.
Help!
Thanks in advance x

I would just wear workwear, black trousers and a button front top to attach the hood to, you really can't see much of the outfit under the gown. Flat shoes if there are cobbles and there is alot of milling around on the day.

Treat your self to something nice for a celebratory meal instead.

Thanks for the suggestion.
We are going out for a meal afterwards so want to feel a bit dressed up after wards 😊

I'm useless at fashion but if you want formal photos I suggest getting a colour that really compliments the hood colour it looks good on the day and you never regret it on the photos. Think about a hairstyle that will accommodate the hat and take Four Kirby grips. If you're wearing heels think about the steps to the stage. So many tumbles every year for people in heels they aren't used to. A couple of safety pins are often useful.

Good shout.

DDs had a dress code of black skirt or trousers and white blouse/shirt - even with a button for the hood loop, the young women tended to need to pin the hood at the shoulders to stop the hood pulling the shirt up at the front.

Afaik most unis don't have particular rules but the hoods all behave like this!

So, if you opt for a dress make sure it's got shoulders and take a couple of pins (straight ones work fine.

I wore a red and white dress to mine, they pinned the hood to my dress. I also wore heels, I was a pop of colour in a sea of black and white and muted colours.

This what I lean towards normally- colour. Am beginning to think I might go for a teal colour as the hood is a teal and I'm not a muted palate sort of person.

This what I lean towards normally- colour. Am beginning to think I might go for a teal colour as the hood is a teal and I'm not a muted palate sort of person.

Sounds good. have a lovely day!

Comfortable shoes and a colour that doesn't clash with the hood, ideally. But other than that people wear all sorts, from clubbing type outfits, to office wear to smart casual. Also, if you're going to wear the hat, you need a hair style that allows it to sit properly.

I always reckon if a dress make sure it’s shorter than the gown as they look odd if poking out the bottom imho.

Black pencil skirt or trousers with white button long sleeve shirt. Looks so professional with the gown in photos.

A shirt or blouse with buttons, you need buttons to attach the hood usually.
Most people just wear a shirt and smart trousers

Not sure the shirt with buttons advice is very current. Pretty much all the women at my fairly recent one wore dresses, and I don't remember anyone having issues keeping the gown/hood on. Don't even remember having to be pinned. Probably depends on the design of the gown though.

Definitely wear something you'll feel good in later on. (Still scarred from having to wear a hideous shirt/skirt combo in the 90s).

I wanted to wear a colourful dress so I got one in complementary colours to my hood and gown and used a lot of safety pins. There was a lot nofel standing around drinking champagne so wore low heals. Have a great day and congratulations.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Luckily my short pixie hair means I don't have to really worry about the hat 😁 hopefully it doesn't rain on the day as we have a bit of a walk from wear we pick up our gowns to the venue.

Afaik they're pretty standard hired gowns and hoods.

You do see photos of young women with the hood hanging down off their neck (looks uncomfortable) and not sitting right to show the colours

The weight of the hood pulls it back and the shirt rides up. Better to keep it pinned down ( hence my safety pin suggestion)

This is true - my daughter graduated this year and the hood was a completely different design, no loop necessary.

Most of the woman wore colour, nearly all dresses, some self coloured, some patterned, most longish.

Congratulations also! Well done on your degree.

I was at a graduation this summer and almost all the female graduates wore dresses. A few trouser suits. I don’t recall much workwear at all.
I love the idea of matching the colour to your gown OP! I hope you can find something.

Thank you 😊

Thanks I'm now scouring the internet for something that will work 😂