"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. "
This is exactly how I feel. I have new outfits (well, new to me, I’ve been buying at an upscale resale shop) for my kids’ events. It is a big deal IMO. It’s probably the only “dressy” occasion I’ll have all year and I’m not showing up in capris and cardigan like I wear the rest of the time. I’m busting out good jewelry too.
Even though I had things no one had seen before, I broke down and bought a lovely new dress for my daughter’s graduation (she was getting her Master’s of Music degree). Navy background, coral/pinkish floral print, cap sleeves, side shirring, I already had two sweaters that matched (one navy, one coral). The ceremony was inside, but had to take the El to get there and then dinner and the ballet afterwards, but it was on 5/9, so I should have been fine, right? WRONG! It was 48 degrees for a high and I was freezing!! Thankfully, I had a raincoat, but that wind was brutal!