These two events are on the same day, 5 hours apart. I want to be comfortable. What do people wear to these? Are they as dressy as the actual commencement?
I think it depends on the school. My kid did not qualify for PBK so I did not go. But last night at a wine and cheese reception I saw dresses and jeans.
Our commencement is outside and it’s supposed to be cool and damp so I don’t know that people will be as dressed up as if it were 70 and sunny. The light dress I brought isn’t going to be warm enough so I may switch to pants and a sweater
Our D was told the PBK ceremony was formal - dresses, etc. I wore a comfortable skirt and nice shirt with sweater.
I always wear comfortable sandals as I don’t do heels.
Commencement was outside and I wore a sundress (H had a coat & tie on)
AT my D’s PBK, we dressed up a bit.
D1 was small LAC, in the evening. Dressy, followed by champagne reception. D2, state U, afternoon, was much more casual.
At DS’s PBK mostly suits and dresses. A very few people in jeans. It was indoors on the day before graduation.
Outdoor graduation was a mix, but at least half were on the dressy side.
I don’t have suggestions for the clothing, but I do want to say congratulations. PBK is a great honor!
We were honors chemistry majors who dragged our friend out of the library Saturday nights- he was PBK unlike us (but not NMS like a couple of us who did better in HS).
Congrats to your student! It takes a lot to do that well.
You need to check with the local school customs. Society is a lot more casual than decades ago and different places more/less formal. I go along with the sandals- I refuse to wear uncomfortable shoes/heels. Consider the terrain you will be walking on. If I ever going to ceremonies for relatives I’ll be the comfortable, less dressy one. The spotlight is on the students and I’m sure no one really cares. Any parents who are displeased need to get over themselves, it is the honor, not the fashion show, that counts.
Ask your kid what they think. If they are formal you may want to dress up if you want to or they think you should.
at my D’s school, PBK was on the nice side. Sport coats/suits and dresses.
Most dads wore ties; mom’s had dresses/skits or nice pantsuits.
'Grats. PBK is an honor that never goes away.
Thanks for the replies. The weather for both the graduation (outdoors) and the PBK spanking ritual (my husband’s name for it) is iffy. I bought a lovely sundress for the commencement (shows off my hard won swimmer’s arms) but will likely have to wear a cardigan and trench coat. Am thinking of a linen skirt and blouse for the PBK thing, which is indoors.
Congrats to your daughter! 
Our PBK ceremony was in a small lecture-type room; champagne reception (with string quartet) was in an open foyer area and definitely had a dressy feel. I saw no jeans. Men wore jackets, ties; women wore dresses/skirts.
Thanks for your suggestions. I wore a fitted, short-sleeved jacket over a sleeveless blouse and skirt, with a trench coat and umbrella,and froze to death walking from place to place! (Unusually cold, rainy weekend!) Note to future PBK parents: wear business attire and you’ll fit right in. And yes, they do give you free champagne!