MVNU Baccalaureate & Graduation Attire Question

[Pete Vecchi]

I remember the days when the men who attended district assemblies generally wore suits and ties to the events. At last year's district assembly, polo shirts were more the norm--or button-down shirts without ties.

It has been many years since I have attended a college graduation. What would be the recommended attire for me at this evening's MVNU Baccalaureate and tomorrow's graduation where both my son and his wife are scheduled to receive their Bachelor Degrees?

[Dennis M. Scott]

Since they are both graduating, you should go with a big grin and great pride.

[Jim Franklin]

I believe I would add a underware, suit, dress shirt, tie, socks and shoes to Dennis's smile.

[Jon Bemis]

We went to our son's graduation at SMU last Saturday and I wore a sports jacket and shirt, no tie. Probably 90% of the men I saw were dressed far more casually than I. Most had polo shirts and casual pants. I would say you should wear whatever you are comfortable in.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Seems like most everyone dresses like they just came from the county fair. One of the students in my Christian Tradition class has never been to church in her life, and is going this Sunday. She wanted to know if since she is going to a bridal shower following church, could she wear the same clothes, or would she have to get into her casual clothes first. Interesting.

[Billy Cox]

We went to our son's graduation at SMU last Saturday and I wore a sports jacket and shirt, no tie. Probably 90% of the men I saw were dressed far more casually than I. Most had polo shirts and casual pants. I would say you should wear whatever you are comfortable in.

This reminds me of when 'The Passion of the Christ' was in theaters. As we were walking through the theater parking lot I saw at least three different groups of people in which the men were wearing 'pastor casual' clothing. In case you're not familiar with it, that is a polo shirt neatly tucked into pleated denim dress pants that were popular circa 1995. Sports coat likely, but not absolutely required.

I knew immediately which movie they were planning to attend.

[Ryan Scott]

You need to talk to some other people from the region. I found out that our college traditions vary quite a bit. I grew up going to ENC's graduation out on the lawn - some people dressed up, but lots of people just showed up and it is relatively causal for the crowd.

We moved out to KC and attended graduation at MNU. They hold it in the sanctuary of College Church and people generally dress up more than a typical Sunday morning. Even for someone like me, who is generally the most casual person in every room, I felt out of place.

[Bill Morrison]

We moved out to KC and attended graduation at MNU. They hold it in the sanctuary of College Church and people generally dress up more than a typical Sunday morning. Even for someone like me, who is generally the most casual person in every room, I felt out of place.

Ryan is corrrect, but there are also many at MNU's graduation who are casually dressed. Times are a changing...for the first time in 31 years, I didn't have a tie on underneath my regalia (and I do still wear a tie to church on Sunday mornings!).
I suggest you go dressed in a way that would please your son. You won't be out of place for sure.

BILL

[Doug Ward]

I would go in a jacket, but not a tie. That was my attire for my son's last year, and most were more casual than me. I like to be a little better dressed than most, it is alway easy to slip off the jacket and blend in. Plus, I think we honor and represent our kids well if we dress nicely for the event. But then again, I am one who decries the over-casualization of our culture, and the flip-flop wearing youth. All should be arrested and flogged for flip-flops worn when not at the beach.

[Craig Laughlin]

But then again, I am one who decries the over-casualization of our culture, and the flip-flop wearing youth. All should be arrested and flogged for flip-flops worn when not at the beach.

This made me laugh. How different we all are.

My daughter grew up in KC. Once she hit the teen years she wore nothing but flip flops from early spring until winter. (Usually) - She was a diver on her swim team. For some reason I had to pick her up from practice on one of those days when the high was in the single digits. As I pulled up to the pool entrance out she came running through the snow and ice in flip flops!

Sheesh, and I thought I was casual.

Of course we had to make a rule for my son that he could not wear shorts to school once the the temps were in single digits... Hmmm. Maybe crazy runs in our family.

[Gina Stevenson]

I would go in a jacket, but not a tie. That was my attire for my son's last year, and most were more casual than me. I like to be a little better dressed than most, it is alway easy to slip off the jacket and blend in. Plus, I think we honor and represent our kids well if we dress nicely for the event. But then again, I am one who decries the over-casualization of our culture, and the flip-flop wearing youth. All should be arrested and flogged for flip-flops worn when not at the beach.

Love flip-flops! Cannot wear as much in Michigan as did in AZ & CA ... There are some foot-shaped ones (more supportive than the typical flat flip-flop), & those are great!

(yes, I admit trying to stretch the flip-flop season here by keeping them around with socks for awhile, too! )

[Jon Bemis]

But then again, I am one who decries the over-casualization of our culture, and the flip-flop wearing youth. All should be arrested and flogged for flip-flops worn when not at the beach.

Thank goodness I'm not a youth, perhaps I will be spared the flogging because I wear flip-flops from March till November for most of my weekday "pastoral" duties including some Wednesday evening Bible studies. (I think they go well with my cargo shorts)

[Dan Henderson]

. All should be arrested and flogged for flip-flops worn when not at the beach.

Well, pretty much all of Florida is beach so ....

[Greg Farra]

Pete,

I'll be there tomorrow. I say wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing. I'm not sure if I'm wearing a tie or not, but will decide in the morning.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Whatever you do, don't take your lead from what all those people wear under their academic regalia.

You don't want to know.

[Dan Henderson]

Whatever you do, don't take your lead from what all those people wear under their academic regalia.

You don't want to know.

Whatever you wear, just wear enough of it.

[Greg Farra]

Well, my wife is wearing capris, so I'm probably going without the tie.

[Dan Henderson]

Well, my wife is wearing capris, so I'm probably going without the tie.

Better than just the tie.

[Doug Ward]

Well, pretty much all of Florida is beach so ....

Did I mention my wife and I are VP and secretary of the Hate Florida Club? You should come to the meetings.

[Dan Henderson]

Did I mention my wife and I are VP and secretary of the Hate Florida Club? You should come to the meetings.

In flip-flops?

[Doug Ward]

Maybe crazy runs in our family.

Maybe?

[Doug Ward]

In flip-flops?

At your own risk - I come with my caning pole at the ready.

[Pete Vecchi]

Pete,

I'll be there tomorrow. I say wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing. I'm not sure if I'm wearing a tie or not, but will decide in the morning.

Well, maybe we can meet face to face if we can find each other. Watch for my son Matthew and his wife Sara. We'll probably be around them at some point afterwards.

[Dan Henderson]

At your own risk - I come with my caning pole at the ready.

I have my own rig ... Oh ... caning ... nvm

[Greg Farra]

Maybe?

I'll keep an eye out for you, although we probably won't hang out too long- still have a few things to pack up. But we'll try!!!

[Gina Stevenson]

Did I mention my wife and I are VP and secretary of the Hate Florida Club? You should come to the meetings.

I could readily come to those, as it seemed to be much more humid than out West in summer, and we handled the AZ summers much better than the time we were in Florida just visiting for awhile.

[Eric Frey]

I had the privilege of participating this morning in the groundbreaking ceremony for our community's new high school. I was on stage with another pastor, the school board, the superintendent, the mayor, our state senator, several other officials and the school band. While most in the audience were in casual wear, everyone on the stage wore suits/ties or nice dresses. Everyone, that is, except the band, who did not even wear their very nice uniforms. They wore a polo shirt and whatever shorts and shoes they wanted. I found it very strange to say the least.

But then again, I also find it strange how many times I do funerals and most in the audience are in jeans or shorts. I am even noticing an increase in the number of informal weddings. I am not sure what to make of this. Some of it, I think, is cultural. Some of it, I am sure, is economic. But is there more to it than that?

[Billy Cox]

I would go in a jacket, but not a tie.

Ah yes. 'pastoral casual'.

[Pete Vecchi]

OK, post graduation report:

Aside from all of the people dressed in official regalia, most of the other people were dressed fairly casually. I wore Dress slacks and a polo shirt, and it seemed as though I fit right in apparel-wise.