Daughter’s graduation in July - what to wear!

[BurntBroccoli]

Daughter is graduating this year at University of Manchester. Just wondering what to wear? I’m thinking a long maxi dress with maybe a short sleeve white bolero cardigan/cover up.

Have bought some sandals from Clark’s which I hope will be comfy! Will they be smart enough though?

Congratulations, first of all! Isn't it amazing when our children graduate!

Love the shoes, they look comfy and enough of a heel to be elevated but you can stand or walk for a long time. Yes, maxi, or tea length day dress, short sweater or jacket will be fine.

Something like this:
Phase Eight Nita Spot Maxi Dress, Cream

Thank you! Yes I’m very proud!

That dress is really lovely but I’m a bit conscious of my upper arms. Also only 5’ 4”.

Just wear something comfortable that you feel nice in. I’ve been to a few recently and they are really varied in how smart people go-some are full out hats and wedding type attire, others are wearing jeans!

All the men seem to have got the same memo and are all wearing a blue suit and brown shoes though 😂

Don’t want to be too critical, but honestly, no one except you cares. And I don’t mean that in a negative way, just that you should wear what you feel comfortable wearing and at a level you’re personally happy with. I’ve had a few graduation ceremonies now and there’s such an array of styles etc but it’s all absolutely fine. You do need to know what your DDs day entails though, and how much of it you need to be part of. My first one had me wearing gorgeous gold shoes that I am glad I had also popped a pair of trainers in DHs man bag for. Gold shoes for photos - trainers for walking the absolute the miles between events.
DD1s Grad had the ceremony followed by a longish walk across the city for photos in the Uni grounds; followed by a walk to the music school for the next ceremony and awards, which also meant a lot of standing around whilst many many photos were done outside for the student groups, followed by a longish walk to the gown drop off and then on to the restaurant we’d booked for food. Then we all walked to the next meeting point for all the students before they went off to their respective group night out and we could finally go back to the hotel - which was still a walk away. And because of the nature of the city we were in, almost none of that was cabable/Uberable - all had to be walked. And in record breaking heat for the city in question! So get the itinerary down first, then decide.

Great shoes.

Congratulations

My daughter is graduating and honestly I’ll decide on the day depending on the weather whether I wear a dress or chinos! No one will care.

My dad only wears socks and sandals. At least for my Cambridge graduation he matched black socks with black sandals 😆

I think it’s important to wear shoes you are comfortable in - there could be a lot of walking and standing around. Your option looks sensible!

Ha ha! Seems much easier for men!

Luckily it will all be on the same campus so there won’t be too much walking. Probably lots of standing about and I’ve heard the ceremony hall can be very warm!

I guess I don’t want DD to be embarrassed in what I show up in! Want to blend in as it were.

Thank you ☺️

My daughter graduated from Manchester Uni a few years ago. There was a great mixture of outfits - smart casual to very formal. I wore a dress and jacket that I had already and felt very comfy. Try not to worry and let your confidence shine.

I have very awkward feet and Hallux Rigidus so shoes can be a nightmare at the best of times!

I’m wearing my new sandals around the house and so far they are really comfy and give me a much needed couple of inches in height!

Ah thank you. I’m sure we’ll have a lovely day. Looking forward to it.

We accessorised with umbrellas for one child's graduation, and thermals (in the hail!) for another. As long as you wear something you like for all the photos, you'll be grand.

I’ve been to a couple of Manchester graduations - no need to go crazy spending on a fancy outfit. Definitely comfortable, smart and clean 😊
fwiw I don’t remember the hall being overly warm - in fact one of the graduations was in December and I thought I’d freeze to death it was so cold!
Have a wonderful time celebrating