What to wear to high school graduation?

[Immadismom]

I have no clue what to wear. My stepdaughter is graduating, and the ceremony is outdoors in the school’s football stadium. It will be HOT.

I’m leaning toward nice capris and a sleeveless blouse, as we will be seated in bleachers, and no way will I climb up bleachers in a dress and heels. But is this too casual? DH is planning to wear a short sleeve polo shirt, and is also contemplating khaki dress shorts simply because it’s so hot here already (NC....we’re in the 90’s already ).

Does this sound appropriate? I’ve been trying to find pics on FB of other parents at graduations, and I see everything from suit & tie, to jeans.

 

[Disneylover99]

I have no clue what to wear. My stepdaughter is graduating, and the ceremony is outdoors in the school’s football stadium. It will be HOT.

I’m leaning toward nice capris and a sleeveless blouse, as we will be seated in bleachers, and no way will I climb up bleachers in a dress and heels. But is this too casual? DH is planning to wear a short sleeve polo shirt, and is also contemplating khaki dress shorts simply because it’s so hot here already (NC....we’re in the 90’s already ).

Does this sound appropriate? I’ve been trying to find pics on FB of other parents at graduations, and I see everything from suit & tie, to jeans.

That sounds nice to me. I don’t think it sounds too casual. I’d probably wear something similar to what you’re wearing.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have cement bleachers, the last two I’ve worn white pants with a short sleeved floral blouse of some sort. It’s always super hot and uncomfortable. I always plan on wearing a sleeveless sundress, but the climbing and sweating makes me more practical. DH wears nice shirts and a short sleeved button down.

 

[Southernmiss]

Capris and sleeveless blouse sounds perfect.

That's what I wore to Catholic Mass last night in South Mississippi and noted how many others were dressed the same

 

[mnrose]

That would have fit right in with what was worn at my kids' graduation last year...also held at a football stadium. I wore dressy pants and a nice top. Others were dressed super casual (wife beater t-shirt....for example...which IMO was a little too casual). You'll be fine.

 

[Immadismom]

Thank you all! I originally had a dress planned, but once we found out it was outside on bleachers....nope! I wish the HS did like some others and rented an arena or something, since this is our first of three to graduate over the next 4 years...

 

[StephMK]

That sounds fine. DS's was in an arena and there were people wearing anything from suits, nice dresses down to jeans and tees. Most were in nice, casual wear.

 

[tcufrog]

What are you planning to do right afterward?

 

[Immadismom]

What are you planning to do right afterward?

We are going to lunch at one of our local restaurants. What I have planned to wear is perfect for that, so I think we’ll be fine, as long as we’re not soaked in sweat.

 

[disneychrista]

People do everything from jeans/shorts & t-shirts to nice dresses/suits here. Honestly what you have picked sounds perfect.

 

[Hikergirl]

I always wear a nice summer dress because it's the most comfortable when sitting for hours.
I don't do heels, it's sandals or even dressier flip flops for me.
Capris and nice blouse sounds perfect. Like a pp said, you will see people in jeans and people in suits and formal dresses. Wear what is comfortable for you.

 

[LovesTimone]

Shorts all the way around... nice shorts with a nicer dressier top... sun dress with sandals... Sunglasses... sunscreen and even possibly even some type of hat with a wide brim... and bring bottled water with you... We went to my niece's outdoor graduation several years ago and it was so hot, and humid and completely miserable hitting into the high 90's then with humidity we were at 100+ degrees ... most of the students took off their gowns, and only put them on to walk for diploma's for pictures... that they cut out all the speeches, the band did not play it was to hot for uniforms and marching... They only had a prayer for the class... and then gave out the diplomas they had big fans on the stage... that was it ... there were almost 300+ kids... They had people passing out in the stand as well as students...

 

[mmouse37]

Sounds perfect!!! That is what I have worn to our kids' outdoor graduations!!

MJ

 

[aprilgail]

round here you were anything you want- jeans, tshirts, shorts- nothing dressy that's for sure. Even the kids just wear shorts and tshirts under their robes.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm also in NC, so I have been feeling the heat wave.

Still, I think you're under-shooting it, even for an outdoor graduation. I'd trade the capris for a summer dress /sandals ... and I'd have Dad wear khakis (not shorts) and a buttton-down shirt. You're not going to be doing anything but sitting.

If you've been looking at Weather.com's 10-day prediction, we're supposed to have rain over the next two weeks, which will be good for us and will drop the temperatures. We're supposed to be in the upper 70s /lower 80s most of the time for the next two weeks -- this Thursday is supposed to be the highest at 86 degrees.

OOPS -- editing. My computer was set for a different city ... in my part of NC, we will be mid-80s for the next two weeks. Rain almost every day. Not too different from what I said a moment ago.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Personally I would wear a dress. What is the concern with it being bleachers? I would just be careful going up the steps.

 

[Christine]

I've seen all sorts of levels of dress at these things.

My son went to a small, private high school and his graduation was out on the football field. No bleachers, but chairs put out and crammed in tightly. It was about 97 degrees that day and everyone was drenched. I did wear a longish skirt and lightweight sweater. Everyone was sort of dressed the same. No one wore shorts or capris, but I think that was just the whole vibe of the school in general. I have been to other graduations where it was more casual.

 

[focusondisney]

Honestly, wear what you are comfortable in. There is no dress code for family members at graduations. And everybody else there will be looking at their own graduates, not critiquing what other parents are wearing. And if they are, that’s their issue, not yours.

Actually, there aren’t dress codes for much of anything anymore. I feel like the last 2 places folks should dress “respectfully” are court & wakes or funerals. Then I reported for jury duty a few years ago. It was cool outside, so no one was in shorts. But there were people were in grungy tee shirts, jeans & sweats. A few were in business wear & many in business casual: nicer slacks & tops. And the last few funerals I have been at I have also seen a few people in jeans. My DH says people don’t even dress up for job interviews anymore.

So seems to me, wear what you want is pretty much the way to go anymore.

 

[g00fy!]

Not a high school graduation but my son's college graduation a few weeks ago (May 9.) I had a nice dress planned but that got changed quickly to snow pants, boots, winter jacket, gloves and hat. I would have welcomed a little heat vs the 34 degrees!


Around here, weather is the main determiner of what you wear. And also why most high schools have moved their graduations indoors.

I think asking what to wear to a high school graduation is much like asking what to wear on a cruise ship for formal night.

Wear the level of formality you are comfortable with and don't let anyone tell you that you need to be different. It is so individual and you have to take into account the venue, the formality of the school culture, and the weather.

Enjoy!

 

[scrapquitler]

I have no clue what to wear. My stepdaughter is graduating, and the ceremony is outdoors in the school’s football stadium. It will be HOT.

I’m leaning toward nice capris and a sleeveless blouse, as we will be seated in bleachers, and no way will I climb up bleachers in a dress and heels. But is this too casual? DH is planning to wear a short sleeve polo shirt, and is also contemplating khaki dress shorts simply because it’s so hot here already (NC....we’re in the 90’s already ).

Does this sound appropriate? I’ve been trying to find pics on FB of other parents at graduations, and I see everything from suit & tie, to jeans.

Personally, I would dress for comfort and the weather. Our graduations are held on the football field. Outside and hot and humid. Some people do dress up, but walking on the field in high heels is not fun, and sitting in the heat is no fun. I wore a lightweight cotton dress and flip flops. My DH work khakis and a polo. Most people were dressed casually. If it happens to rain, they move graduation inside to the non-airconditioned gym. Again, I'd be more concerned for comfort than fashion.

Of course at our graduation, people do not go out with their kids after graduation....after our graduation, kids have 45 minutes to board the school buses which take them to the Project Graduation all night after part at our local park and rec center, where they stay until after breakfast the next morning.