Commencement 2014

Anspinc wrote: »

I want to know if TCD are strict about the wearing of a tuxedo for commencement ceremonies or can a man wear his best "whistle and flute"? My suit is not black and my tie is neither a bow or black/white.

Is it advisable to wear a Tuxedo for such an occasion?

Thanks,

Anspinc

I'm not sure how strict the Proctor is about the dress code, but if you wear a suit and tie that aren't black you will stick out like a sore thumb.

If you don't want to get a dinner jacket then you would get away with a black suit and a bow tie. Anything else will look like you aren't part of the ceremony.

Preferably wear a tux, since almost everyone else will be wearing one (what I mean by that is that if you're not wearing one, on the balance of probability, you'll probably be the only person not wearing one). If you wear a suit, make sure it's black, otherwise you will stick out and look silly. If you do wear a suit, make sure you're wearing a white shirt, or you will stick out and look silly. If you don't have a bow tie, you can probably get away with a plain black necktie.

You can get away with the above, but if you're missing any of the items, it might just be easiest to rent the tux for the afternoon. Any alternatives probably won't work, e.g. don't wear a dark navy suit, dark grey suit, grey / pinstriped shirt, pinstriped tie.

Anspinc wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. They were all very helpful. I've gone and got myself a tux (rented). One other thing, it might be a bit late to book this but there was an offer of an evening meal in the old dining hall. Is that the hall above the buttery? Where students can enter everday for their lunch? Or is located elsewhere?

Yep, that's it. The enormous Georgian hall, impossible to miss.

Depending on when your commencement ceremony is it might still be possible to book Commons on that date. It's rarely full. Just email the catering department and see (though I think that they prefer you to arrange it through the Student Registry or whoever deals with commencements now).

Also, it's not free (not sure from your post). You pay ~€25.00 for it.

The dress code doesn't give many details on what women are allowed to wear, like it doesn't mention length. Judging by past pictures the dress I want to wear is a bit shorter than usual, but its definitely 'fancy' so I'm assuming it doesn't matter much?

NormalBob Ubiquitypants wrote: »

Ask yourself if you would wear it to an interview.

God no. Its a silk vintage dress, I'd look insane!

Lawliet wrote: »

The dress code doesn't give many details on what women are allowed to wear, like it doesn't mention length. Judging by past pictures the dress I want to wear is a bit shorter than usual, but its definitely 'fancy' so I'm assuming it doesn't matter much?

Most people at mine last year kept it quite formal; not ball-gown type at all. I had a black dress just above the knee that I've since worn to a couple of interviews...

languagenerd wrote: »

Most people at mine last year kept it quite formal; not ball-gown type at all. I had a black dress just above the knee that I've since worn to a couple of interviews...

As long as I'm not the only one with an above the knee dress its all good, even if it sounds like my dress might stand out in other ways!