What to Wear to Baccalaureate and Graduation

What to Wear to Baccalaureate and Graduation Are you looking forward to a graduation,  baccalaureate, a  senior recital  or white coat ceremony? If you are, what to wear to such an important and celebratory event may be something you are wondering about. Should you dress up? Go more casual? Plan for cool or warm weather? Do men need ties? Do women wear heels? Any and all of these milestone events are great photo opportunities for families. With brothers, sisters, grandparents and other extended family members in attendance, getting a good picture is always a good idea at gatherings like these. What you wear could be on display on the fireplace mantel for years to come - but dont just dress for a photo. You want to be comfortable, too. Consider the school that your graduate attends. Some colleges and universities are much more low key when it comes to pomp and circumstance than others. While the day may be a momentous one, the fashion doesnt necessarily reflect the significance of the achievement. If your graduate attends school someplace thats very warm - Arizona, for example - being comfortable in the blazing sun and heat will be more important than looking dressed to the hilt. At more conservative schools, like those that are church-based, your clothing choice should be a little more subdued and refined.    Baccalaureate Baccalaureate ceremonies are usually held in the campus chapel or another indoor venue, so the weather and walking surface shouldnt be an issue. While baccalaureate tends to be a bit dressier than the larger graduation ceremonies, that doesnt mean you have to wear high heels or a suit and tie. Dress as you would to attend a religious service for a special occasion, avoiding sneakers, flip flops, tank tops and other casual attire. Graduation Graduation ceremonies offer significant climate challenges when theyre held outdoors. There may be hours of blazing sun, gusty winds or inclement weather, so its important to dress in layers, pack all those graduation survival essentials and adjust your wardrobe to something realistic. You may have to hike a considerable distance from your parking spot, or traverse the football field to reach a seat, heels sinking into the turf at every step. Sitting in the unrelenting sun or drizzle for hours is tough even in comfortable clothes. So check out the logistics and weather report, and make your fashion decisions accordingly. A summer dress will look just as lovely with flats. A jacket and tie can be donned after the ceremony or skipped altogether. If the ceremony is being held indoors, weather wont be an issue, of course, but the trek from the parking lot is still an issue, and gyms and auditoriums can be drafty. Bring a light jacket or shawl. White Coat Ceremony This formal ceremony marks a major rite of passage as medical or pharmaceutical students receive their first, official white coats. Parents are invited, officials make speeches, and flashbulbs pop and flare. Its a big deal. Youll want to dress accordingly - in conservative suits, dresses or business wear - and bring your camera. Senior Recitals Music majors celebrate the end of their four years of study with a senior recital that showcases their work. Its an important concert and one that typically features ensembles large and small. The concert is attended by fellow students and faculty, as well as extended family, friends and former music teachers.  Musicians may wear a considerably more casual version of their usual concert attire, although the starring senior tends to wear something much more extravagant than their usual attire. Attendees can dress on the more casual side if they like, but within reason and with respect for the performers.   As for parents, baccalaureate-style attire is appropriate, but its also fine to wear something slightly less formal, especially if it has artistic style. You might not wear a fabulous, colorful kimono-style jacket to a church ceremony, for example, but its perfect for a concert. That said, basic black is always chic too. Bear in mind that most parents host a post-concert reception. Unless youre having that catered, youre going to be doing significant pre-concert shlepping - moving tables, lugging crates and laying out trays of finger foods.      Updated by Sharon Greenthal