I assume this was in response to my "jeans or leggings" attire?
In my area, high school graduations are more of a "to do" when it comes to dress code than my kids' college grads have been. When I went to either of my kids' high school graduations, I wore a dress that I usually wear to work. One was sitting out on the football field in 95 degree heat. The other was in an arena.
I have found, at least where we live, that the college graduations are MUCH bigger, a little more impersonal, and the attire from all parents seems to be much more casual. Probably due to the large amount of walking and shuttling one often has to do (depending on the school).
Anyway, I didn't want you to think I was some bumpkin. I actually wear dresses (and pantyhose!!) pretty regularly. It just seems overdone for our area and what you go through. I will be in a stadium and on bleachers for 5 1/2 hours, rain or shine.
same here. given that the last few college graduations we've gone to (at multiple schools) haven't even had the grads walk across and get their diplomas (they just announced each individual department/school within the university, one at a time and those graduating from it would stand for a moment en masse) it doesn't seem as formal.
At DD22's university, they had individual "school" graduations, then the big university graduation the next day. She only invited us to the school one, where she walked. She wasn't even sure she was going to attend the big one. She ended up going, mostly because there was a speaker she wanted to hear. We were already on our way home by the time that one started.
D'S refused to walk for his bachelor's or masters, he is saying he may walk for his doctorate, ugh. DD I wore a nice dress and pumps for her bachelor's, after the 6 hours graduation took she refused to walk for her masters, I would be lying if I said I was sad she didnt walk. She and I did a Girls trip to Disney World to celebrate!
I can't wait! We're so proud of her. That said, we aren't doing a big party for her. She doesn't really want one. We'll probably just go out to eat that weekend and maybe have a small gathering with a few family members later in the summer. Is that fairly common for college graduations? I'm trying to just follow what she wants for that, but I don't want her to feel like we're ignoring it either!
Dd’s is the same, her business school graduation is Friday, whole school Sunday, I think she is just going Sunday.This is what my son's school does and I'm not happy about it. His happen to be on the same day. Since he's in the business school, which is the largest, we got "stuck" in the stadium. The big university ceremony is at 3PM. That goes for about two hours. His individual one starts at 6PM. Due to construction around the stadium and limited parking we've been almost "ordered" not to leave and come back. It probably would be impossible anyway. Honestly, we are all a little irritated over this. Oh, and they won't cancel for rain. It has to be "extreme" weather for them to cancel. So I actually could be sitting out in the rain for hours.
For ds's under grad, I wore a black and gold (his school colors) knee length dress. It had a black skirt and then black and gold patterned short sleeve bodice area and comfortable heels.
For his grad degree, I wore black pants and a black and white top. It was raining that day and we had a little walk from parking to the basketball arena where they graduate so I wanted to wear flats and be somewhat comfortable. People are packed in like sardines and wore a variety of things .
I felt appropriate in both outfits-very much in line with the dress of the crowd which ranged from women in capris to dresses similar to the one I wore.
Dh dressed business casual. Slacks and short sleeved shirt.
I just wore jeans and a nice shirt. We'd spent the morning schlepping around Boston (in a fun way!), and the actual ceremony was sitting on bleachers--and, of course, all about the graduates. Honestly, I would worry more about your comfort. Obviously, you want to look nice and put-together--there will be photos, and meet-and-greets. Especially if you have health issues, I recommend dressing in something you can sit/stand in for hours.
Dress for the weather....if its chilly wear slacks, if it looks like it will be nice then wear a dress but bring a sweater. Will you be inside or outside, will you be sitting in bleachers or in chairs on the floor (makes a difference in shoes I would wear).
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MJ
I'll probably wear a skirt(printed/dressy/stretchy/comfy)...I love that skirt. Add a pair of sandals and a dressy t-shirt and I'll be all set. I hope it not hours long like so many of you are describing! I know there's a separate graduation for her college within the university and then one for the whole university. I suppose it might depend on who the speaker is for that if she wants to go to it.
I can't wait! We're so proud of her. That said, we aren't doing a big party for her. She doesn't really want one. We'll probably just go out to eat that weekend and maybe have a small gathering with a few family members later in the summer. Is that fairly common for college graduations? I'm trying to just follow what she wants for that, but I don't want her to feel like we're ignoring it either!
In our families, every single person has at least an undergraduate degree, most have at least a secondary. I’m a slacker, 2 credits from my masters, DH, my dad, and my sister and her DH have MBA’s, dd21 will get her MS in December. Cousins, aunts, uncles...We're hosting a brunch for family, DD's boyfriend and his parents, and DD's roommates at our favorite restaurant in her college town. Probably 20 people and that's it. Not really a party. Just going out to eat after. I've had it reserved since late December when her grad time was announced. Her college town has two colleges both graduating the same weekend so I can't even imagine the waits of we just walked in some where. Plus my siblings and mom are traveling 4 to 5 hours to attend so we will want some time to hang out since we aren't able to get together often.
I'm honestly surprised that most celebrate high school grads huge and then are so low key about college. I'm much more excited about college. It seems much more of an accomplishment. Maybe because in our family, my siblings and I are first generation college grads. And so far of our 14 kids, DD will only be the second to graduate college. Three more are on track and close behind her though.
Thanks to all of you for the feedback. Obviously, it's been a long time, since I graduated. At the time, it appeared all women wore dresses. It sounds like things have changed a lot, since then. Dresses are my go-to, when I want to look nice, so I'll probably stick with that. I'll probably get 2" or so wedge heels to wear with it. The only flats I wear are tennis shoes & flip flops. You get used to wearing heels, when you're only 5' 1".
I've been looking at dresses that have the school colors also. I'll probably only choose one of the colors though. I haven't seen anything with both colors that I like.
This concerns me. Steps are a problem, but I will have to tough it out for my DS. I literally can't stand for hours though, regardless of how I'm dressed. I definitely need to have DS get more details on what to expect.
The graduation is in Boca Raton, FL. Weather shouldn't be a problem. I haven't even asked about seating arrangements. I need to do that. Thanks for the website suggestions.