Hard to imagine sleeveless dress weather in Northern Vermont. I think I need a couple of more weeks of warm weather to even contemplate being comfortable outside without a coat! For the last three college graduations (all outside) I wore a lightweight dress, (comfy) wedge shoes and a wrap. I don’t go anywhere without water and the program usually doubles as a fan. This graduation will probably be short and the campuses is small so I’m not too worried about walking distances.
What length are skirts these days?? I have a bunch of skirts and dresses that I used to wear to work, long when long was in style, and then I resisted when lengths shortened. Then I hemmed them and now long seems to be back in style. I just don’t want to embarrass my daughter in front of everybody who is more in style than I am.
How short is your short? I mean inches above the knee. I think skirt lengths have been pretty liberal for a few years in a row - all over the place. Trendy stuff might adhere to a certain length, but classics have always been "knee give or take a couple of inches. "
DD’s graduation is outside in early May in IL. Next year. I plan to monitor the temps this year. She says there’s a canopy and parents usually freeze. 
I’m planning on a pencil skirt and will bring a variety of tops and toppers. Easter was cool here in the Bay Area so I wore sheer nude hose with patterned stockings on top. They kept me warmer than either one alone. Neither was control top so I was comfy and happy.
I do nto think that MOG is in a center of attention. Just wear decent and comfortable clothes so that people around you do not have to deal with “unhappy” you.
Ack! I’m with Jam113 and hadn’t started thinking of a graduation ceremony dress. I’ve been stressing over a formal dress I have to wear for an awards ball for DS.
I’m definitely not with Pizzagirl and others because there is no shade of orange that looks good on me!
Now, do I lose fashionista points if I wear same dress for DS1 college graduation and DS2 high school graduation, because I just don’t want to try and find 2 dresses?
VaMom, absolutely not.
@VAMom2015, same dress for sure!
But try to avoid what I did inadvertently - same dress for 3 events (for each of my 3 kids)…5 years apart. Pointed out to me when my H was looking at photos recently. “Oh, look, Honey! You wore that same dress for each ceremony”. Yeah, get over it. At least I’m not delaying our retirement with a closet full of couture!
My D graduated from college two years ago. Outdoor graduation/New England in May. I planned to wear a nice dress with a jacket. When it came time to travel to the graduation, the forecast was HOT. I ended up wearing a blouse and skirt and flats and we were all sweltering in the low 90s. The graduates in their robes were passing out.
Her bf’s graduation was exactly one week later, also outdoors, in the same city. It was pouring down rain and was in the 50s.
My advice: check the forecast ahead of time! And if it is outdoors/involves lots of walking, make sure your shoes are comfortable!
I doubt I could find a good orange, too! I’m lucky - my kids’ school colors look good on me!
I’m wearing 2 diff outfits to my kids’ graduations (3 weeks apart) because that’s what I want to do, but there’s nothing wrong with wearing the same outfit IMO.
@college_query at my son’s Tufts graduation it went from about 50 degrees in the early afternoon to 90 degrees at midday to chilly and spitting in the afternoon. Layers!
I wore the same dress to my D’s HS and college graduation. I liked the dress and it was a simple wrap dress. I don’t have many occasions to wear dresses and hey I was happy it still fit!
I don’t mind shopping for clothes but don’t like having things that I won’t wear. Wear the same dress. If you can find 2 scarves or different jewerly to mix the look up, that would be a nice way to get 2 different looks.
D is wearing the same dress for her college graduation that she wore for her HS graduation. Her idea; think she likes the sense of tradition (plus she has had few other opportunities to wear it).
I would, too, if mine still fit!
Well the good news is the two graduations are in different states and the only ones who would see me twice are family. They are about two weeks apart, so if I find a dress, it will definitely do double duty, although the photos are something to think about. Good news is that from another thread on CC I saw a dress link that I really liked and it is perfect for my formal function (just came in the mail yesterday). So I guess now I have to start looking for grad dress. I love all the great advice on this forum!
^^What about a pretty skirt with two different blouses? Or the advice from deb in post #31. Dress up one outfit with a scarf and the same outfit for the next graduation with jewelry…
We are attending at least 3 ceremonies in May as D. is graduating from Med. School. It did not occur to me to think about my appearnce, I believe that it is totally irrelevant as long as I am decently dressed and comfortable. D. just learned that she is receiving some award, she has no idea what it is, but it added to number of events to attend. She will have a great crowd of her people - 8 of us are coming to celbrate with her for 2 days there, made all hotel and restaurant reservations.
Since we are traveling in a car, I am just going to pile up some clothes there and choose based on weather (one event will prbably be outside - just a guess, since the Med. School “walks” withe the rest of them), the other 2 events should be inside.
I don’t think anyone considers what they wear to a college gradation to be earth shattering, but just something to think about and chat about on this board. I, for one, was glad for the reminder that I might want to look at my wardrobe and think about what to wear ahead of time. This winter has been so brutal that the thought of what to wear UNDER my coat had not crossed my mind either. At the two graduations I’ve been to in the South, a light sundress was what the majority of Mom’s wore. This will be my first college graduation in the North and I’m reminded that it snowed the year I went to pick up my son at the end of his semester in 2012. So, a nice coat or a Spring dress?
My S’s graduation was the end of April and where he went to school it was cold. The year he graduated it snowed every weekend in April. Thankfully graduation was in the basketball arena and I wore black pants and a sweater.
My D’s graduation was the middle/end of May and was outside. It was sunny and 70’s the day before and 40’s and rain at graduation. I totaled my car on the way to graduation and was not prepared for 40 and rain. I didn’t know I needed to pack sundresses, fleece, winter coat, rain coat, umbrella, sandals,pumps. I remember being so out of sorts with the changing weather. People at graduation were dressed all over the place.
I also remember not having any money for me at the end of 6 continuous years of scrimping to pay for college. I brought a bunch of outfits and none of them worked for the morning of. That being said, I look great in my 4 year old dress and sweater.
Yes, as long as you look presentable & feel comfortable, that’s all that matters. However, seeing pictures of past graduations with people in sloppy shorts & tee shirts makes me shudder. C’mon people, shorts & tee shirts? Anything else will look better than that! I like the reminders to bring sweaters/jackets, water bottles, hats & possibly sunscreen. All good advice.
I consider college graduation a very important occasion and likely the most important event in my son’s life we will attend, except for if/when he gets married. There is no way I am showing up looking like I’m out running errands. I’m not worried at all about being too hot, but in case it’s chilly, I am bringing a second dress which looks great with my white leather jacket.