What DO parents wear for their children's graduations?

[loveyouradvice]

I realise I've no idea... I have a dress I love, stylish, understated, which I will also wear for the odd wedding and formal drinks parties.. Is this the sort of vibe we're going for? ie relatively informal wedding, slightly more subdued and covered up..

Or is it a whole load more casual and my DD will be mortified if I turn up looking very elegant? She is definitely an understated kind of woman so I am keen to fit in, while still being very me.

I'd love any thoughts about what you'd wear - or have worn - including pics!!

I won't post mine as it is seriously unusual and would immediately identify me ... it looks designer-y but cost a fraction of the price - it does have a high neck, long sleeves, in a strong beige and black.

A few people I know who’ve attended kids graduations have gone quite formal - think wedding attire but without the hat/fascinator

I think your stylish, understated dress sounds perfect. I would say most parents at my two children’s graduation ceremonies were fairly smart. It’s an important occasion!

University or secondary school? I'm in Canada. Two of my kids did secondary only, with a ceremony in a theatre, so parents were nice/casual. One of my kids did a two year college course, and the ceremony was in a very large theatre, once again with parents being fairly informal, just nice enough for a photo on the lawn in front of the school.

Wear a casual dress and boots or jeans and a dressy top/coat, get glammed up with hair and makeup but don’t go ott with the clothes. Men can wear like chinos and shirt, smart shoes no tie really required if it’s a smart shirt or short sleeved shirt. Honestly I would not go wedding attire.

Academic here--so I've attended a lot of ceremonies.
Anything from smart casual to what looks to me like stuff you would wear for a wedding or garden party ...

I wore my favourite midi dress(a bit boho), dh wore his smart-casual uniform, ie a shirt with a collar (lilac stripes IIRC) and dark chinos.

I’d say we were appropriately dressed. I could maybe have done with smarter shoes, but that was never going to happen because of my joint issues. There were plenty of elegantly dressed mums, but I don’t recall many dads in suits. I think more graduands wore suits than their dads.

Enjoy. So wonderful to feel pride in your child 😊

I wore a lovely dress to all of my children’s graduations. My husband wore a suit.
I bought each of my daughters a dress of their choice. It’s a very special day and therefore warrants making an effort. Jeans? No no no, that’s for casual days. The official photos are with you for life. Make an effort.

My DD’s was formal. My dh forgot his jacket so went in a shirt Obama style and he definitely stood out.

I live in a university city and regularly see the graduates and their parents on their way to the ceremony and having their photos taken outside as I’m walking the dogs. They are almost all in wedding guest or posh garden party type attire. Women tend to wear a nice midi frock and men wear a suit or jacket and trousers. It’s lovely to see them all dressed up and beaming with pride.

My DD’s was very formal, the vibe you’re going for sounds perfect. I wore a maxi dress and most people were dressed similarly to how they would be for a wedding.
Enjoy @loveyouradvice, it’s such a special occasion. Congratulations to your DD.

I have been to 3 of my kids graduations, two at York Minster, really mixed what ppl were wearing, it was freezing so lots of coats.
One was at Trentham Gardens, more of a garden party vibe and very hot day, lots of lovely summer dresses. I don't think it really matters to be honest, smart casual or formal. Enjoy, I have last one soon, end of an era for our family.

My mum wore a nice dress and didn’t look out of place at all.

Son graduated last year and most women were in dress/trousers jackets. Smart but please remember to bring comfy shoes/trainers to change into. It’s a long day 😅

(doing again this year for a masters 🥰)

Agree you should dress up, but there are so many people and everyone has their eyes on their son or daughter so unlike a wedding or party, no one really notices other people’s outfits. Doesn’t feel like a you have to fit in.

I wore a nice skirt and jacket then had to buy an oversized uni hoodie and wear it over the top when an icy wind whipped up. So stylish!

Really mixed at my daughter’s graduation. Some were in suits and ties and women in posh dresses, others were dressed quite casual. I wore a long dress with boots.

Huge thanks to all ... and especially for the comfy shoes/boots reminder @Destiny33 ... I know which boots I would wear with it and they used to be super comfy but going to try them and see: they may be a bit old now!!

So I feel deeply reassured that my dress feels like the one to wear - I'll enjoy wearing it, and I will enjoy my daughter being the centre of attention!!! Yes, I'll glow with pride .. it's not been easy for her, so if feels doubly amazing!

University or secondary school?

@mdinbc Generally in the UK when we talk about graduation ceremonies it is for university degrees. We don't have them for secondary school.

I have sat through 4 graduations and generally people wear smart or smart casual clothes. I don't recall seeing anyone looking scruffy at DD's graduation 4 years ago.

@loveyouradvice your stylish and understated dress sounds perfect, and you definitely won't look out of place.

I've worn work clothes - smart trousers and a blouse rather than scrubs I hasten to add - to both of my DC's graduations so far. I saw some parents who looked like they were going to a wedding but I'd say they were in a minority, most people were more understated. I wouldn't go in jeans, but I don't think you need to really dress up. Wear something you feel comfortable in though as nobody will be looking at you and there can be quite a lot of standing around so the last thing you want is shoes that are killing you or a waistband that's too tight. I made a poor choice of shoes for my own graduation and really regretted it!

It’s the graduate’s day, they are the star of the show so aim to complement their style choices, rather look over- or under-done.
For summer I wore my favourite midi dress, DH wore a linen suit. Next one will be in January so I’ll probably wear wide-leg trousers, cashmere roll neck sweater under a short wool jacket, and boots.

Agree work clothes
I over did it first time and felt silly

The three graduations I’ve been too pretty much everyone seemed to be in suits and dresses. Definitely more wedding than anything else

I've just bought a new raincoat in case of bad weather! And I bought several outfits this spring and will see nearer the day what works.

https://mariadelaorden.com/en-gb/products/cambon-coat-khaki

All three I’ve been to were predominantly smart casual. I wouldn’t say it was wedding dressy.

I agree, definitely no hint of wedding attire. I've been to two. Dh was one of the few men wearing suits and that if he'd worn a tie or his suit was dark he'd have been over dressed. Lots of pretty summer dresses, I wore linen trousers and a pretty top,nice bag. Wear comfy shoes as usually lots of walking/ standing around.