<p>Just had this discussion with DS this morning. I missed older s’s college graduation b/c it conflicted with younger s’s HS graduation, so we did a divide and conquer. College ceremonies were outdoors and apparently it was HOT. He wore a collared short sleeved man tailored shirt and slacks. He said many were in shorts- surprisingly casual.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips! I went to a young friend’s graduation last year (outside), and many of the parents and other attendees were really dressed casually. That surprised me. For D’s graduation May 1 I think I will wear nice slacks and a top. We will be indoors, but there will be a lot of walking, so I’ll be sure to wear comfortable shoes!</p>
<p>I saw the whole gambit in attire. Everyone looked nice, though, even those in jeans or shorts, and they were in the minority by a wide margin. I wore dress khakis, a nice embroidered t shirt, and a light blazer. last graduation and just blended in fine. MIL wore a simple dress with a light jacket over it. DH wore a sport jacket over casual clothes–no tie and the other kids wore golf shirts and khakis.</p>
<p>I knew this sounded familiar! Here’s what everyone was wearing last year:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/922180-college-graduation-clothes.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/922180-college-graduation-clothes.html</a></p>
<p>Hadn’t thought much about what we are going to wear. His younger sister is already thinking about her outfit. This thread is a reminder to tell H he needs to wear long pants. Also need to find out if the graduation is outdoors. It could be hot or California cold.</p>
<p>We are going up later this week for S’s senior Art reception. Guess we need to think about what we are going to wear to that.</p>
<p>Ha! That’s my thread!</p>
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The biggest smiles!! :D</p>
<p>Depends on the school’s location, I suppose. At St. Lawrence (NY) it is outdoors and you must dress appropriately, D’s ceremony that day, it was cold & windy, if anybody was dressed up, I could not see it under their winter coats, blankets they had etc. Free coffee too was set up on tables. We did not dress up for this ceremony! :)</p>
<p>For S1’s big state u. grad., we attended his departmental grad. ceremony and two commissioning ceremonies (NROTC). We skipped the big graduation. Three ceremonies in two days was enough! All events were indoors. I wore pants (black) with wedge heel black sandals and nice blouses.
There was a lot of walking across large parking lots and to various buidlings on campus. I wished I had worn flats instead of the wedges. My outfit was pretty much middle of the road compared to others I saw. Some wore dresses/skirts but most were in pants.</p>
<p>Hmm, you all have me worrying now, and it is still a year away for us. Most of my nice slacks are dark colored/more winter wear type things. So maybe I need some summer linen slacks or something along those lines. And flat shoes to go with them 
For once I am actually thinking of this way ahead of time, and can shop at my leisure! Believe me, after far too many clothing crambles for me and my kids right before a big event, this is feeling pretty good.</p>
<p>intparent - don´t get too focused on clothes and forget about lodging. Not too early to make those hotel reservations.</p>
<p>^ This is VERY IMPORTANT. We were warned to make our reservations a year out. We also found the hotels near the school had an increased rate at that time of year covering that weekend.</p>
<p>If you have an elderly or disabled person in your party, it is worth a call to the administration office to see if they could be driven up closer and admitted to a side door, or seated in the shade.</p>
<p>When my sister had a new hip replacement, I was able to get permission for one member of our family to accompany her through the back entrance used by the musicians.</p>
<p>We will be going to the Western State College graduation in Colorado in two weeks. It sounds as though it’s the same one you will be attending! I’ve been stressing about what to wear to graduation as well…am thinking nice pants with a sweater and a warm coat!! (maybe a blanket or two as well, depending on the day!). The President’s reception sounds like it may be a fun place to dress up, but since I don’t have an appropriate dress, I’ll opt for another pants outfit, maybe this time with a pair of low heels. Thanks for posting. It’s helpful to know what others are planning.</p>
<p>Yes, I checked the date of graduation this year and marked it on my calendar to call for reservations on that date (the chain we usually stay at only allows reservations 1 year in advance). Figured I would book 2 rooms (1 for me/D2, one for my parents). Ex-H is on his own… although I will mention it to him around that time, if he plans to attend.</p>
<p>I went shopping last night, too, and found a nice short-sleeved sweater/lightweight slacks outfit that I liked. As long as it still fits next year… :)</p>
<p>Momofmike, I remember attending a Colorado graduation when I was a freshman in college. It snowed!! Be prepared.</p>
<p>For those who live near Northwestern, or have attended a graduation there in years past…do men wear sports coats w/ties? We live in Palm Springs, not a lot of ties in our part of the world! And, for the women…dresses/suits or slacks?..FYI.I am most comfortable in khaki slacks and polo shirts, but I am thinking this is too informal. I would so appreciate some guidance/ideas. Thank you in advance.
~APOL-a Mum</p>
<p>There are usually pictures from past graduations floating around on a web page somewhere, either the schools or on someones facebook or Flickr . If you google the school name and graduation you might see pics from past graduations that include the guests. That might give you an idea of what others are doing.</p>
<p>Part of the NU ceremonies will be at Ryan field or indoors at Ryan arena. These are both bleacher seating, which, for me, rules out the dress of the moment: the slim, above-the-knee sheath. Some women can carry it off, but I would be much more comfortable in pants or a longer skirt with a fab jacket over a short sleeved shirt. You’ll see everything from casual pants to coat and tie on the men.
You will have to walk a fair amount from the parking lot and within the stadium, but not over grass. Mid-June can be very pleasant or very hot and humid, so watch the weather and have a “plan B” set of clothes.</p>
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<p>Forget the clothing. You have Stephen Colbert as YOUR commencement speaker!! Far preferable to who I had in 1986 (when Colbert was in the audience with me as a fellow grad) - then-Sec of State George Schulz. A snoozer!</p>