So this is my OOTD (Outfit of the Day) as promised!
It’s funny how many details you can forget over time – the last time I graduated was in 2008 for my BA, and remembered why I wore a button up shirt – for the loop around the collar part of the gown! However, I still went for the black and white look so it does look like a graduation outfit as in it fits the colour scheme. The only difference is the grey part that drapes over the back instead of white.
Did you know I even *even* tried to do a vlog but it didn’t work because I’m a noob, quite frankly. Plus, if I were to film it real time, I would’ve had to wake up even earlier than I did to get the camera working and I’d rather get to Uni in time! However, I may make a video of what I did and erm… have pictures of the end result as hindsight is always a nice option to have.
So… so so so! Here goes (haha, this sounds funny) *puts on fashionista voice over voice*
The dress was from Boohoo.com, a very impulsive buy since I hadn’t bought from them before and there’s always the risk you run about buying online, especially about a day where a camera’s going to be fixated on you for some time. However, with its attached collar and tie detail, as well as its monochromatic look, it actually looks perfect for graduation (almost reminds me of those high school outfits in Japan, love it!) Put a belt that I got in a thrift store and hurrah! Outfit done! Only about 20 pounds altogether! Yay!
To preserve my dignity (at a prestigious academic event, this is one of the most prized accessories to wear or flaunt in your own *special* way), I wore my happy go lucky stockings – and luckily my suspender belt is white so didn’t show through anything. Yes, it was hot and I was absolutely baking anyway due to the black gown and compulsory layers, but my legs were fine – the stockings are nice and sheer. I got everything hosiery related to the day on the StockingsHQ website. I never used to wear stockings but they’re actually comfier than tights in my opinion (weirdly!). I’ve been wearing them a lot this Spring and probably will continue to do so!
And yes, I wore heels. Heels. A shoe with an elevated platform and an exaggerated mould of a foot’s arch. However, I have done a dance show in these at Goldsmiths and danced the flamenco so I thought that a walk up and down the ramp would be much more straightforward. Yes, thankfully, it was! These were 12 pounds and I bought them a while back at Peacocks.
So there you go! Got suited and booted just in the nick of time and dashed into the hall where I got to see some of my old classmates! Everyone looked really well and happy – and it’s lovely to see how everyone is and how they’re getting on. Indeed, it’s been about 8 months at least since I’ve seen some people so it’s amazing to think of what has happened in that space of time.
Thank you to my family and friends for their support in many ways – absolutely amazing as the MA itself, not just the university experience came out of a rather trying time, let’s say. I started in 2009 and from then managed to get a job and time to study so it was amazing to see that I could handle both a full time job and a part time masters (luckily I got to work part time when finishing my dissertation). I can’t thank you all enough and thank you to my parents who bought me the graduation ring as a lovely memento of well… everything. I’ve been wanting one for 4 years, but I’m glad I waited out that long as it means a lot more to me now. It will arrive in about 8-10 weeks, so I’m really looking forward to wearing it. I will post it up for you guys!
Susan Gray Writes 