Help needed for dress novice attending son's graduation

Claw_back_money

Hi all

DS is graduating in a few weeks time and I've put some time aside to buy a dress, which is not as straight-forward as I thought it would be. _pale_

I've seen some pretty dresses online at Phase Eight so thought I'd go to Debenhams tomorrow and see if I can find something that looks ok. I last wore a dress in 2000, so I'm really apprehensive about it, and could do with some help...

If I'm wearing something like peep toe sandals with a bit of a heal, do I still wear them if its raining or do people take 'plan b' shoes?

I have quite a nice casual red m&s linen jacket, are jackets good for graduations? I've read some of the older threads and people seem to advocate pashminas - I haven't got one of those.

What sort of thing do you get as a present for a lad that is graduating? He is a rather minimalist sort of chap, no clutter, doesn't really like clothes, doesn't drink, doesn't write much by hand so a nice pen would be pointless.

Thanks in advance
Cbm

Artytarty

Hi, is the "do" after graduation outside?
If it rains then they will have an alternative venue in all likelyhood.So I think you could stick with your shoes., but will you have far to walk? If its somewhere like Cambridge the pavements are awful and you stand on the lawn for tea so wedges would be good.
I think the jacket sounds good, pashminas are a bit of a faff, keeping them wrapped round your arms.
I can honestly say that no matter what you wear you will look around and say to yourself "why did I worry?"!
In my experience these events arent as formal as I thought they might have been.
What is your son hoping to do next? That would affect what you give him as a present. Will he need a good suit for interviews for example? or an iphone? very much depends on his personality and you must know him best!
Do have a good time!
ps, its perfectly fine to wear trousers you know!

flutterbyuk25

Debenhams do a personal shopper service, so if you ring up and try make an appointment for when you do go in then the personal shopper will help you find things that may be suitable for you. They are really friendly and do all the running round for you whilst you have a cuppa and there is no pressure to buy. My mum went to see one last month for her graduation outfit.

Re present, does DS drive? If not then driving lessons could be an option (that's what I got from parents). Or maybe money towards a holiday/big item etc

HTH

x

Claw_back_money

Artytarty
I know nothing of a do! :eek:
Is there always a do? What happens at the do?
Oh heck.
Perhaps he's opting out of the do!! He wasn't hugely keen on a graduation!

His next step is to go to Oxford to do an MSt, if all goes to plan.

Flutterby
What a lovely present from your folks. He doesn't want to learn to drive, I don't think (doesn't fit with the minimalist life) but he might like a bike to go with him to Oxford. Although isn't that one of the towns that has them 'lying around' for people to pick up and cycle? Hmmm - time for some research into Oxford and bikes!

Thanks for your thoughts
Cbm

Artytarty

There is usually "tea and buns" after for the graduands and their guests. Its a chance for them to mingle and say goodbye to friends and for parents to put faces to names. I usually lurk in a corner!
I think a bike sounds a great idea when he goes to Oxford.

pollypenny

Don't worry about what to wear . Just be reasonably smart, not like at a wedding. A jacket and trousers would be fine.

DS graduates from his Masters soon. I am wearing a cream linen jacket which i bought this year, with a dress from East outlet.

LittleMissMPB

If it helps at all I am going ot my brothers graduation soon and I am just going to be wearing a dress I bought from Next last year for a wedding. I've only worn it twice and really need the excuse to get it out. It's just a plain purple colour, strappy with a simple flower on the left hand side at the top, ankle length, sort of figure hugging without being uncomfy.

If it's around the same time as my brothers (14th July) then I doubt if you would need a jacket? Would it not be a little warm?

McKneff

Jacket sounds ideal, Pashimas are just messy and hard to keep where you want them to stay.

Talking of bikes, we go to Amsterdam often and there are literally thousands of bikes at the Central Station, it gets to the stage that
people just pick any bike up to get home, after all it will be back tomorrow, if yours isnt there just pick a bike.
Some statictition came up with a theory that it was 5.5 years before yu actually got your own bike back:rotfl:

belfastgirl23

I work near a uni and can tell you that people turn up in all sorts of outfits, from smart-officy type look to summer wedding and in some cases to fully fledged night on the town short and plunging efforts. Though I must admit we sort of laugh at the latter But guests come in all ages and styles, there are often nans in oldfashioned suits as well as the young girls in their teeny dresses. As long as you're dressed appropriately for you that's the main thing.

My biggest advice would be to wear something you feel comfortable in that's smart but not OTT, do have a jacket or wrap of some sort because the do might be outside and the weather isn't always reliable. But most of all if you don't know what surface you'll be walking on, wear shoes that don't sink into grass. I don't know how many times I've seen women with fancy heels ruined by mud. And I remember at my own graduation being relieved I wasn't sinking into the grass.

But most of all enjoy it and be proud.