Alicia64 Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I'm going to my good friend's daughter's graduation in May from George Washington University in DC in May. The graduation happens in the morning. Ignoring weather for a moment. . . what do you suggest wearing. Are nice jeans, boots and a nice sweater appropriate? Or would you assume that this is a dressier event? I'm pretty sure it's outside. (Back to weather for a moment, if it's freezing I'm dressing warm and the dress code can take a hike. :)) Thanks for any help! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 some people dress up, some don't at all, seems like anything goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Usually people dress up for college graduations. Think Sunday church wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 (edited) In DC -- I'd dress up. There are exceptions, but it's a formal city. I went to a graduation two years ago in Fairfax, and the women wore dresses or pant suits. Same for a funeral I attended a year ago just north of DC -- and most wore plain or dark outfits. Where I grew up and went to college/grad school, it was far less formal at graduations. Some wore shorts under their gowns at my undergraduate school! Edited March 13, 2017 by G5052 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Some wore shorts under their gowns at my undergraduate school! I did because I figured what is the point if nobody sees under the gown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 Usually people dress up for college graduations. Think Sunday church wear. Thank you! In DC -- I'd dress up. There are exceptions, but it's a formal city. I went to a graduation two years ago in Fairfax, and the women wore dresses or pant suits. Same for a funeral I attended a year ago just north of DC -- and most wore plain or dark outfits. Where I grew up and went to college/grad school, it was far less formal at graduations. Some wore shorts under their gowns at my undergraduate school! Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about -- that DC is fairly formal. I'm nervous that it'll be chilly in mid-May so I was hoping a jeans and boots would do it. Too casual? GWU is a fancy school so I'm nervous all the fancy parents will be in fancy clothes!! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 If you google for pics, it looks like a mixed bag of khakis, shorts, jeans, suits, sundresses... They're sitting out in the weather. Some pics show everyone in rain ponchos. Some have people all sweaty and fanning themselves with programs. I would probably dress for what you'll be doing after (lunch reservations?) because it really won't make a difference sitting in the crowd. If it's in the low 80s/high 70s, you'll be hot sitting out in the full sun. You'll be more likely to need a sundress or lighter weight linen pants than jeans and boots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I don't think you need to worry about being chilly in May... sweater and boots will likely be way too much clothing. Think sundress and 3/4 length cardigan. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 I'm not a dress wearer but I would wear a dress for this occasion. It doesn't have to be fancy and if you are worried about being chilly you could take along leggings and boots for your bottom half and a sweater for the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 If it is informal seating, particularly in an outdoor venue with a ton of people, I'd be inclined to do something like a chino, linen pant, etc. due to the fact that in May, DC can be quite humid and especially so if you are from the Great Lakes Region! :D I'd pair it with a semi-casual blouse or very lightweight sweater, better yet a shell with lightweight cardigan which you could remove if you started feeling hot, and then a nice scarf or necklace. Unless I was invited to a more formal restaurant afterward by the family, I would not consider getting too dressed up. We would be most likely staying in the burbs like Alexandria and taking the train in then walking to the university so not even considering a nice dress and heels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 The more I think about it, the more I think I'd be roasting in a sweater in DC in May. That's a/c season. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 The more I think about it, the more I think I'd be roasting in a sweater in DC in May. That's a/c season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 If you google for pics, it looks like a mixed bag of khakis, shorts, jeans, suits, sundresses... They're sitting out in the weather. Some pics show everyone in rain ponchos. Some have people all sweaty and fanning themselves with programs. I would probably dress for what you'll be doing after (lunch reservations?) because it really won't make a difference sitting in the crowd. If it's in the low 80s/high 70s, you'll be hot sitting out in the full sun. You'll be more likely to need a sundress or lighter weight linen pants than jeans and boots. Hey Zoobie! I can't make pizza dough without thinking about you! Just so you don't think I'm an idiot . . . I did a photo Google search, but clearly didn't enter the right search words! I'll look again! Thanks! I've only been out of VA for two years and I already can't remember the weather!! I don't think you need to worry about being chilly in May... sweater and boots will likely be way too much clothing. Think sundress and 3/4 length cardigan. Thank you -- I need the reminder! I'm not a dress wearer but I would wear a dress for this occasion. It doesn't have to be fancy and if you are worried about being chilly you could take along leggings and boots for your bottom half and a sweater for the top. I don't have an appropriate dress. Time to shop! If it is informal seating, particularly in an outdoor venue with a ton of people, I'd be inclined to do something like a chino, linen pant, etc. due to the fact that in May, DC can be quite humid and especially so if you are from the Great Lakes Region! :D I'd pair it with a semi-casual blouse or very lightweight sweater, better yet a shell with lightweight cardigan which you could remove if you started feeling hot, and then a nice scarf or necklace. Unless I was invited to a more formal restaurant afterward by the family, I would not consider getting too dressed up. We would be most likely staying in the burbs like Alexandria and taking the train in then walking to the university so not even considering a nice dress and heels. Right. Like you, I'm staying in Alexandria. My friend pushed for Arlington and it's way more expensive. Is there a hotel you like in Alexandria? The more I think about it, the more I think I'd be roasting in a sweater in DC in May. That's a/c season. I don't know why I've been worried that I'd be cold. Thanks for the reminder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted March 13, 2017 Author Share Posted March 13, 2017 If you google for pics, it looks like a mixed bag of khakis, shorts, jeans, suits, sundresses... They're sitting out in the weather. Some pics show everyone in rain ponchos. Some have people all sweaty and fanning themselves with programs. I would probably dress for what you'll be doing after (lunch reservations?) because it really won't make a difference sitting in the crowd. If it's in the low 80s/high 70s, you'll be hot sitting out in the full sun. You'll be more likely to need a sundress or lighter weight linen pants than jeans and boots. Okay, I'm an idiot. What did you Google to find photos? I keep finding cap and gown photos. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Hotel in Alexandria? LOL Hotel Nephew! Sorry, we have ways stayed with them. When rocket team goes to DC we stay in Manassas due to budget constraints for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Thank you! Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about -- that DC is fairly formal. I'm nervous that it'll be chilly in mid-May so I was hoping a jeans and boots would do it. Too casual? GWU is a fancy school so I'm nervous all the fancy parents will be in fancy clothes!! Alley Yes, too casual. Sorry. But you could wear non-denim pants, with a nice jacket, boots as long as they are not cowboy boots. :-) And if it's outside, a hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 What did you Google to find photos? I keep finding cap and gown photos. Here https://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2015/05/gw_commencement.jpg https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/class-2016-sets-participation-record-senior-class-gift Have fun shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) nm Edited March 16, 2017 by 1234 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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