My son is graduating this weekend in the Midwest and the ceremony will be held outside in the football stadium with 53 degree weather expected. I was planning to wear a black maxi dress and sandals but am now rethinking the whole outfit since it will be so chilly. We will be walking a long way so comfort is a must. My new plan is to wear black slim pants, black booties, a trench coat and scarf but am open to suggestions. We will also be going to a fairly nice restaurant (not high end) for dinner following the ceremony. Thanks for any outfit ideas!
Sorry to hear you won’t have better weather for the event. Your outfit sounds perfect to me. It’ll keep you warm yet it transitions nicely to the restaurant. The scarf can add a pop of color. Do you have one that incorporates the school’s colors?
I think your plan sounds fine. Warmth and comfort and important.
Your title caught my eye—I have the opposite problem. An outdoor graduation ceremony with an expected temperature of 100 degrees. This is normal for our area, and graduation attire for parents is decidedly informal. The one thing no one wants to forget is water.
Your outfit sounds appropriate to me, considering the weather!
I just got home from a baseball game. Low 60s, and with the wind it was chilly. I saw another fan with a fleece blanket, and I was coveting it, Can you bring a blanket?
I have the same issue. (I wonder if we are going to the same ceremony?)
The estimated temperature is the same with winds at 20-22mph. The winds would be coming from behind the stadium but if they shift it could get cold fast. I’m planning on bringing light gloves, too, and something to sit on since the ceremony is 2.5 hrs long. I also wondered if there would be concessions selling water/coffee/hot chocolate. I tried calling yesterday but it was too late in the day.
I was joking with my D that this is almost “football weather”. I do not know what she is going to wear under her robe to stay warm.
OP, layers, layers, layers! Your plan to wear a scarf is a good one, especially if it can be used as a wrap for your upper body a la pashmina.
And congrats!!! 
DD’s graduation a week ago was like that only colder. Ancient hand warmer packets were even better than the fleece lined mittens I borrowed. I run cold and went for warmth over fashion, especially since I am used to a mild climate. I wore thick ponte pants with Uniqlo long johns underneath. On top I had a layer of Uniqlo, cashmere turtleneck, merino pullover, with DD’s puffer to top it off. I wore oxford flatform shoes to insulate my feet from the concrete slab below. I left the turtleneck and pullover with DD for times I might visit her in the Midwest, as they are a bit too warm for where I live. Other members of our group could have used a blanket. Oh, and I carried a tote so I could remove a few layers at the restaurant.
Of course the grad gals froze since many/most wore teetering strappy sandals and short dresses that wouldn’t show under the graduation gowns. Leggings were hard to hide as well. At that age, they run pretty hot and will make ridiculous comfort sacrifices for looks.
http://news.wisc.edu/cheers-despite-the-chill-at-uw-madison-commencement-saturday/
Snowflakes in May!
It doesn’t look toooo cold!
I have several friends who were at that graduation today. They brought warm clothes, but had to supplement by buying hats, gloves and blankets!
I attended a graduation in Philly yesterday. People started arriving befor 8 am. I believe it was in the 50s. But there were many females wearing sun dresses like it was in the 80s or so. By about noon it was warmer, but still chilly in the shade. I would not have been happt in spaghetti straps.
Just curious…what did you end up,wearing?
Eons ago the UW graduation was in the stadium and none of the bachelor’s degrees students got to walk the stage. Mine was sunny and hot. Son’s UW graduation was indoors with 4 or 5 separate ceremonies. The speech givers et al had a much busier weekend but it was a lot less boring, and good to see son walk the stage. Now they are back to one massive outdoor ceremony. I preferred the indoor one.
Pants, top, sweater/jacket plus sun head gear needed for outdoors. Climbing to bleacher seats in a dress and heels??? No one cares what the audience looks like- it may be a somewhat solemn occasion but not a wedding. Plus- you have to wonder about what the grads wear under their gowns…
Be practical, comfortable. Easier to have cool than hot weather. Wisconsin seems to be having a cold spring this year (we retired to hot FL).