Appropriate attire

[Patty McEwan]

Hi, I have a question for you moms who have already attended boot camp graduation. My son graduates from boot camp in Chicago March 20. Any suggestions on what to wear. Thanks in advance!!!
Patty

[Melissa (Tucson)]

Blue jeans are appropriate. In the graduation packet you received from RTC, it takes about PIR attire.

There may also be info on this site:

Click here

[Christine]

I went in the fall. I saw very casual to fairly dressy. I wore a pair of slacks and a v neck sweater and felt that was fine. Did see blue jeans too. It's a formal ceremony so I felt it was more appropriate to dress up a little, but thats me.

[lemonelephant]

You will see everything from jeans to very dressy (I saw a woman in a cocktail dress with sequins), I chose a nice suit and my daughter and son's friend both wore nice slacks and nicer tops. I agree with Christine that the occasion calls for nicer than blue jeans. Your sailor will be in his dress blues, so dress nicely.

[Viki]

Sequins ! LOL
I am going next weekend, I will be in down . .

[JoyceD]

Patty, thanks for asking this question as I to wondered about the dress attire. My son's PIR is also 3-20 and is from your area, he is in Div 135.

[Anita *** A.J.'s MOM ***]

Hi Patty,
My son graduated from BC in Sept. Like everyone else has said the dress was from casual to dressy. My husband wore docker pants and a dress shirt. I wore white capri jean pants and a fushia dress top. It was kind of rainy that day and the ground was soft and muckie, so I don't advise heals.

[Carolyn]

My son graduated last year same weekend. I wore blacks slacks, black turleneck,a short black pea coat, and black MaryJane (think Sex in the City) pumps. Not overly dressy, somewhere close to business casual. Lovely, except for the unexpected horrendous blizzard that blew in just as we left the hotel. By the time we were making our way out of the checkpoint and walking toward the building where the graduation was held, I was regretting every aspect of this outfit except maybe the turtleneck. I am from Boston and we aren't strangers to a good blizzard but I honestly wasn't prepared. My mistake not to have checked. My son said it had been 70 for two days before. The lesson: pray for sun and be prepared for a blizzard.

[KR - little one's proud mom]

My daughter had her PIR this past November. My suggestion is to remember 2 things - you are going to spend a lot of time waiting for the ceremony to begin (we arrived at the gates at 5:30) and you are going to be taking lots of pictures after the ceremony - so comfort and looking good for the camera are the two things to keep in mind. I saw plenty of jeans with nice sweaters but we wore some casual pants and warm tops. Don't wear shoes that aren't good for walking long distance since you don't get to park close to the ceremony. Good luck and congratulations!

[Marsha]

I also felt like dressy casual was appropriate but you will be doing lots of walking unless it has changed a lot in the last 2 years. I think no matter what kind of ceremony it is you do a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes.

[barb]

Whatever you wear, seeing the grads in thier dress uniforms is one of the most inpressive sites you will ever see!! Chicago in march could be cold, and windy you will spend sometime outside waiting for your grad.. congrats and have fun

[Ginger]

Hi Patti, I went in the spring last year and I saw every kind of attire. I wore casual but not jeans. Just be comfortable and don't forget the camera. You will be so proud.

[Sheila or Justin's mom]

Well I guess I'm a lot different then most, because I wanted my son to be the one to stand out so we had t shirts made up that said my son, my sailor, my hero and wore them. To tell you the truth I didn't notice what one person was wearing and I could have cared less. All I wanted was to be with my son. It was a great time, so don't sweat it out...because whatever you wear...you'll still enjoy the day!! Good luck and congratulations..