EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear to a Winter Graduation in the UK (Guest or Graduate)

“Graduation photos stick around for a very long time, so dress for the person holding the album in thirty years. Keep it smart, keep your feet warm, and please don't let the coat be an afterthought. It's in half the pictures.”Her take

Check the rules before you buy

Dress codes differ by university. Some ask for smart dress and specifically rule out jeans and trainers for those graduating. Others, including some collegiate ceremonies, have very specific rules for graduates under academic dress, such as dark clothing or a particular shirt and neckwear. Look at your university's graduation pages, as well as any message from the college or graduation office, before you buy anything.

Check three details: what you'll wear under your gown, whether there are venue rules on bags or coats, and how you'll get from the ceremony to the photographs. Some venues limit bag size and ask guests not to bring rucksacks. Many winter ceremonies are held in halls, cathedrals or large arenas. The venue may be warm or chilly, and you'll probably spend time queuing outside.

What guests should wear

Think smart daywear rather than occasion wear, so you don't need to look like you're going to a black-tie event. Choose something you'd happily sit in for a couple of hours and then wear to a nice lunch afterwards, with shoes you can stand in for photographs.

• Long-sleeved midi dress, opaque tights, knee-high or ankle boots and a wool coat.
• Tailored wide-leg trousers, fine roll-neck, soft blazer and polished boots.
• Jumpsuit in a dark crepe, fine knit layered under it or a blazer over it, and block heels.
• Pleated or satin midi skirt, tucked knit, opaque tights and low-heeled boots.
• National or religious dress is allowed at many ceremonies. Graduates may need written permission in advance at some universities, so check well before the day.

What graduates should wear under a gown

Gowns are open at the front, and many hoods sit around the neck and fasten to clothing, so your outfit still shows. Look for a clean neckline and enough structure to anchor the hood. The small loop on a hood usually hooks onto a shirt button, which is why a buttoned shirt or blouse is the easy choice. In a dress with no buttons, use a small safety pin in the fabric, or a brooch if you want it to look deliberate. A slippery strap dress makes it hard to stop the hood from sliding around.

Fine knit dresses, shirt dresses and tailored trousers with a blouse are all reliable. Avoid big collars or heavy jewellery around your neck, and bulky knitwear that makes the sleeves tight. Wear layers you can take off under your gown, because the room might become warm under stage lights, and bring your coat for when you hand your gown back.

Choose shoes for stairs and stone floors

You'll probably be walking across a stage, or at least climbing a few steps with other people watching. Flats or low block heels make that easier, particularly with a long gown. Try shoes on hard floors first and scuff the soles. A smooth leather sole can be slippery on polished floors, or on wet pavements outside.

Guests need to think about standing around, as the photo queue can be as long as the ceremony. Choose leather boots or a low heel you can walk in, and wear a warm sock where possible. Grass, mud and gravel are common around campus in December, so avoid thin stilettos unless you plan on staying indoors.

Plan the coat and the photographs

Choose a coat you'd be happy to see in photographs, because in December you may keep it on. A neat wool coat in navy, camel, charcoal or dark green will look better than a casual puffer. Graduates should have someone hold a warm coat until they've returned the gown, particularly if it's frosty when you leave.

Consider the colours in your gown and hood, too, as a bright dress can clash or be hidden. Plain, dark colours usually look best underneath. Guests can add colour with a scarf or brooch, and they don't need to match the graduate. If you'll be given a mortarboard, test your hair with one at home or leave it styled low so the board can sit properly.

Pack a small bag for the day

Keep your bag small enough to hold on your lap, since seats may be close together. Inside, put a phone, tissues, a folding umbrella, lipstick, blister plasters, a small safety pin, hair grips and a compact mirror. A spare pair of tights is sensible, because one laddered pair will appear in every photograph that day.

If you're travelling far, pack your outfit on a hanger or roll it with your shoes in separate bags. If lunch or dinner follows, a single necklace or a pair of earrings is enough to take the look from ceremony to restaurant. Bring an extra jumper or thin thermal if you feel the cold; you can always take it off.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Check your university's guidance, dress smartly for the cold, choose shoes for stairs and queues, and treat the coat as part of the outfit.

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