<p>Trying to figure out what you wear to Graduation. It is a private university with ceremonies on Saturday by department and then the big ceromony with everyone on Sunday.</p>
<p>Wear something nice, but comfortable. Nice slacks or a skirt. </p>
<p>For your own comfort and protection, try to find out whether you are going to be inside or out, sitting in the blistering sun, etc, and how long the ceremonies last. You might need sunscreen, sunglasses, a bottle of water, etc. At some ceremonies, you need binoculars to see your graduate from where you are sitting.</p>
<p>At DS1’s graduation last year (at Cornell) people were way more dressed up than I would have guessed. The outfit of choice for women was a linen (or similar) sheath dress. It was broiling, so there were lots of hats too. Men were in jackets and ties, though the jackets came off in the heat.</p>
<p>I understand that. It’s a special occasion and I think one dresses up for special occasions.</p>
<p>I will be in a dress, H will be in a jacket and dress shirt/pants. I may bring a hand held fan if it’s really hot. Cornell graduation here too.</p>
<p>Great reason to buy a new outfit!</p>
<p>When D graduates, there will be one non-negotiable for me: flat shoes.</p>
<p>Almost everyone I saw last year at D’s graduation (Wake Forest) was quite dressed up – dresses for women and jacket and tie for men.</p>
<p>yep, make sure your flat shoes goes with your dress.</p>
<p>I agree with Skyhook. Make sure you know if the venue has good ventilation and if the ceremony is strictly formal or what. I remember some parents during my graduation, wearing something nice to look at but you can easily observe how uncomfortable they were with it.</p>
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<p>Now you’ve got me thinking I should buy a decent hat instead of the baseball cap I was planning to wear to Cornell’s outdoor graduation to keep my head from getting sunburned. </p>
<p>It’s always nice to have an excuse to shop.</p>
<p>My oldest son graduated last year on May 1st from Roanoke College in Virginia. The venue was outside but I didn’t know if it was going to be a Springy 70 degrees or a cool 65 or a hot 80! I chose a sleeveless dress sort of like this one - [Nature</a> print mesh dress | Coldwater Creek](<a href=“http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/56687/62981/nature-print-mesh-dress.aspx?colorid=994&refLink=search.aspx]Nature”>http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/56687/62981/nature-print-mesh-dress.aspx?colorid=994&refLink=search.aspx) and wore it with comfy sandals and a cotton mesh shaw. It worked out very well.</p>
<p>Of course, since it’s Ithaca, this year it could be snowing.</p>
<p>Cornell has a pretty late graduation doesn’t it? (Nephew is alum) You MIGHT be able to leave the parka home.</p>
<p>Usually it is the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, so there is a chance it will be nice!</p>
<p>Just bought a new dress for son’s Memorial Day weekend graduation. Also did the same for D’s graduation 5 years ago. There is a reception the evening before for graduates and their families for which we will also be somewhat dressed up. H will wear a suit and tie.</p>
<p>We just got the letter yesterday from the college. The ceremony is in two weeks. It’s in the mountains on the football field. It has snowed some years and been blazing hot other years (according to the letter.) The letter suggested layers, bring a blanket (to wrap up in), bring sunscreen, bring sunglasses…no heels allowed on the field. Guess I’m wearing pants, sounds “rustic.” I’m bringing a dress for the President’s reception on Friday night but defintely decided I’m dressing down for the actual graduation ceremony. Can’t wait, we’re so proud of him for “getting it done.”</p>
<p>I like the mesh dress and a pretty cardigan or blazer would work with it if it’s chilly. I wore a similar dress to Rice last year and felt I fit in.</p>
<p>My clothing choice was based on two things…comfort…and what I wanted to look like in the PICTURES (seriously). Most women at DD’s graduation wore either very nice slacks or a dress. Men were in dress shirts…it was hot (mid-80’s) so most were not wearing sports coats. I chose my dress with a color that would not clash with the colors of DD’s school. I didn’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. </p>
<p>Because the graduation was outdoors and it’s sunny at this location almost every day…I had a nice wide brimmed sun hat. DH wore a college baseball cap. He wasn’t the only one.</p>
<p>Comfy shoes would be a must in my opinion. There is usually a lot of walking between the parking and where the graduation is actually held.</p>
<p>S is graduating from the University of Michigan in ten days and the ceremony is outside in the Big House. Well - they had snow yesterday, so I’m not sure about the weather. I’ll have to check the forecast before we leave. Definitely comfy shoes, nice pants and blouse. This may all be covered up by a wiinter coat!! Hopefully not.</p>
<p>We didn’t attend DS’s “large university graduation” (see other thread)…opting only to go to the indoor departmental one. Good thing…it POURED and I mean POURED that day. And yes…the ceremony went on as planned outdoors. We were so happy to be inside eating a nice breakfast during that time.</p>
<p>I mean seriously…what outfit would have been perfect for a rainy day…chest high waders?</p>