Graduation ceremony is one of the important occasions in once life when you can heave a sigh of sweet relief and give yourself a pat on the back if there is no one to do that for you. I however very much doubt that because there would be many people who would be around to celebrate your success and if you are not careful where you turn your back, you may have too many backslaps until your back hurts. On an occasion that calls for so much celebration and backslapping, you must not be poorly dressed as all eyes would be on you. Even if you are not the only graduand, it would not be difficult to single you out if your dressing does not conform to what is expected of you as a graduand.
Unfortunately you can not dress as you like for the occasion and you would be expected to dress for the occasion according to laid down rules and principles. Graduation gowns and their accessories are what would be expected of graduating students on their graduation day. The type of clothing you wear underneath your doctoral regalia or any other form of gown as a graduating student is also important. As a man, it is typical you go in trousers but definitely your favorite jean would not be appropriate here. A lady would also not be expected to go in a floor-length formalwear even if she expects to be part of a formal graduation event scheduled for a later time in the day. The two events must be viewed separately and dressed for accordingly.
There is so much dignity attached to the occasion and you must bear it in mind that you should not attend the occasion underdressed. It is very possible that you have a party that has been slated for the whole weekend right after the graduation ceremony, you need to know that you just have to appear as formal and as best as you can on your graduation. Believe it or not, you would be caught up in the glare of people who you have never met in your life, who you may never meet again or who may play significant roles in your life. Your dressing would speak volumes of your character and your attitude even when you are not given the opportunity to speak for yourself. You try as much as possible to dress with versatility on your graduation day. With your jacket underneath your gown, you would present the kind of picture expected of someone graduating from school and is ready to face some realities of life. Nothing however stops you from ditching this second layer should the temperature get uncomfortably hot for you.
You may want to consult with professional outfitters for a graduation gown if your college or university has not already agreed to buy graduation robes for her graduating students. One other thing though that you may have to take care of yourself is getting properly shod.
