Graduation ceremony dress

Toto

Hi everyone

I'm graduating in a couple of weeks and I need to find something to wear under my graduation robes. I really don't want to wear a blouse and skirt type of thing because I just look like a waitress when I do that combo. I'm trying to find a suitable dress which isn't too plain and dull (robes are a bit dull if you ask me) but not too flashy either.

I have a nice plain black dress but it's sleeveless and as I'm going to be in the Abbey in November I need something a bit less likely to induce hypothermia. You'd think this would be easy but I'm a bit stuck.

Here is the robes I have to wear http://www.wippellgownhire.co.uk/pictures.asp?k=10&robe_loc=HertsBachLarge.jpg

Please help

miduck

The gowns can be quite warm - why not just put a fitted cardigan with the dress?

ammonite

I'd honestly stick with black skirt/trousers & white shirt, it always always looks the smartest under graduation robes. I've seen girls in dresses that match the robes and dresses that very much DO NOT match the robes (think floral!) and the smartest ones always have the black skirt/white shirt.

If you are adamant about wearing something different then the black sleevless dress sounds good as it is very neutral- the robes are very heavy and hot so it may not induce hypothermia after all!

Just bear in mind you need something to clip your hood onto - see where the V is at the front, there is a hook which clips onto a button which is why again I recommend wearing a shirt or blouse. You'll be demented by the end of the day as it tries to strangle you but I can't even think how it would be kept on if it wasn't hooked around a button.

Final tip - keep the heels wearable! You'll be glad of it as you embark across the very public stage. I've seen a few tumbles and trips!

Enjoy your graduation I'm sure you'll look fab no matter what you wear.

Toto

Well, I could. But, I thought as the gown is a bit grey I could perhaps wear something a bit more colourful under it.

Toto

ammonite wrote: »

I'd honestly stick with black skirt/trousers & white shirt, it always always looks the smartest under graduation robes. I've seen girls in dresses that match the robes and dresses that very much DO NOT match the robes (think floral!) and the smartest ones always have the black skirt/white shirt.

If you are adamant about wearing something different then the black sleevless dress sounds good as it is very neutral- the robes are very heavy and hot so it may not induce hypothermia after all!

Just bear in mind you need something to clip your hood onto - see where the V is at the front, there is a hook which clips onto a button which is why again I recommend wearing a shirt or blouse. You'll be demented by the end of the day as it tries to strangle you but I can't even think how it would be kept on if it wasn't hooked around a button.

Final tip - keep the heels wearable! You'll be glad of it as you embark across the very public stage. I've seen a few tumbles and trips!

Enjoy your graduation I'm sure you'll look fab no matter what you wear.

Thank you, that's really helpful. Does it have to be a button? or could I just use safety pins?

mustmakealist

My daughter graduated in the summer and got a very nice smart peplum dress from top shop for £30. She looked very smart, but I might have been biased. As I was walking past their window today they had some more very nice dresses that might be worth a look. A long sleeved cardi over the top but not buttoned up might help to keep your arms warm if you're worried about the cold and is easily slipped off if you get too warm.

pavlovs_dog

I've graduated twice and both times was very glad of the button on my blouse to help hold the robes in place. They are heavy and unwieldy (yet fantastic fun- very Hogwarts-esque ) and the last thing you want to be worrying about on the special day is keeping everything in place.

Kirby (hair) grips are a godsend for keeping the mortar board in place for photos. I'd take them out prior to the ceremony though, as you'll probably be expected to doff the esteemed guests on stage having collected your degree.

I'd also recommend going easy on your fluid consumption. Having a wee when fully robed is a mission and a half!

I paid to hire the robes for an extra day with my 1st graduation. The photos we took in the garden were much nicer than the stupidly overpriced professional one which hasn't seen the light of day since. Worth considering if you have grannies etc who want a 'nice' photo for the mantel piece.

Noctu

If you want to stand out, wear fantastic shoes! The gown will cover the vast majority of your outfit so shoes are the way to stand out a bit.

goingsenile

Having graduated for the second time last November I second the shirt and skirt/trousers. The amount of people who had dresses/top etc and their robes just wouldn't do anything apart from choke them!
I also agree with the shoes issue- we were in the 2nd front row and spend most of the ceremony with our heart in our mouths waiting on someone going flying. A couple of girls did step out of them as they walked across the stage and had to go back for them.
Enjoy!
AJ

Callie22

Toto wrote: »

Thank you, that's really helpful. Does it have to be a button? or could I just use safety pins?

You can use pins but the problem is that the hoods are really heavy, so if you're wearing a lighter dress then the hood can pull it up. It's so much easier if you wear a skirt and a tucked in blouse as it seems to anchor it all in place

maman

I'd definitely agree with the skirt and blouse ensemble. I wore a pencil skirt and heels (walkable ones). The button takes the weight of the hood which is quite heavy. I found it was pulling my blouse up out of my skirt so needed to anchor the blouse to my bra! Loads of safety pins are definitely needed.

Congratulations BTW!