Can I use an alternative gown supplier for London School of Economics ?

LSE graduation gowns without the stress

Graduation at the London School of Economics has a very particular energy. You have central London outside, friends booking dinners and drinks, tickets to manage, and a hundred tiny details in the back of your mind. Somewhere in the middle of that, the question pops up:

“Have you sorted your gown yet?”

If you are comparing suppliers, checking prices and trying to figure out if you have to use the “official” provider, you are in the right place. This page walks you through how to choose LSE graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns so that the whole thing feels as simple as a normal online shop.

Do you really have to use the official supplier?

Let us start with the thing everyone whispers about in group chats.

Your ceremony information from the London School of Economics will mention a recommended or official supplier. That sounds like a rule. It is not.

You are completely free to choose where you get your Graduation gown. Across the UK, thousands of students use alternative suppliers every year because they want clearer pricing, home delivery, and the chance to try on their outfit before the big day.

On stage, staff care that your LSE graduation robes look correct, that the hood and gown are worn properly, and that everything runs on time. They are not inspecting the label inside your robe.

So if you want choice, it is absolutely fine to pick LSE graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns instead of the default option.

What makes LSE graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns “LSE-correct”?

You might think a Graduation gown is just a long black robe and a cap. Easy. In practice, LSE has a specific academic style that signals your level of award and keeps the ceremony looking consistent.

Churchill Gowns designs its LSE graduation gowns to match that look. That means:

  • The cut of the gown suits your award level

  • The hood works as part of your full set of LSE graduation robes

  • The cap is part of an LSE cap and gown combination that actually fits and feels secure

So you keep the visual tradition of the London School of Economics ceremony, but you gain the freedom to order in your own time with the clarity you are used to from other online brands.

Hire or buy - which option suits your plans?

Next decision: use London School of Economics gown hire or buy LSE graduation gown. There is no single “smart” answer. It comes down to how you see graduation and what happens after.

When London School of Economics gown hire is the easy win

The hire option is usually the best fit if:

  • You want to keep graduation costs under control

  • You are moving flats, leaving London or heading abroad soon after

  • You prefer the idea of “wear, enjoy, send back”

  • You see Graduation gowns as something for this celebration, not something you will need again

With London School of Economics gown hire, you still get the full experience of LSE academic dress. You just do not have to think about storage later.

When it is worth it to buy LSE graduation gown

Choosing to buy LSE graduation gown can feel right if:

  • You want a long-term reminder of your time at the London School of Economics

  • You are considering a career path where you might attend or speak at more ceremonies

  • You want to wear your LSE graduation robes again at future events or photoshoots

  • Someone close to you would like to give a meaningful, degree related gift

In that case, your Graduation gown becomes part of your personal story, not just something you hand back at the end of the day.

What is actually in your LSE graduation set?

Let us break the outfit down. A typical set of LSE graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns is designed so you are ready to walk into the venue without hunting for extra pieces.

You will usually receive:

If you already have access to a robe, or want a spare hood or cap, you can order individual pieces from the LSE cap and gown range rather than a full set.

The point is simple: everything you need for the formal look of LSE is there in one order.

Getting the right size in a simple, no-drama way

The fastest route to a comfortable day is a well-fitted Graduation gown. You do not want to think about tight shoulders while you climb the stairs to the stage.

To choose the right size for your Graduation gowns, you will only need a few details:

  • Your height, so the gown finishes around mid calf

  • Your usual clothing size, so the robe moves easily over your outfit

  • Your head measurement, so your LSE cap and gown set feels secure

If you are between heights or sizes, leaning slightly larger usually works better. You may be wearing a shirt, blouse, dress, suit or jumpsuit underneath, and the extra room helps.

Once your LSE graduation gowns arrive, try everything on:

  • Put on the outfit you plan to wear on the day

  • Layer your Graduation gown over the top

  • Add the hood and adjust it until it sits flat

  • Test the cap with your actual hairstyle

Walk around a bit. Sit down. Imagine standing in the Peacock Theatre or your ceremony venue. If you feel comfortable doing all that, you are good to go.

Styling your LSE look around central London

One of the best parts of graduating from the London School of Economics is the setting. Your LSE graduation robes will show up in photos taken on campus, on nearby streets, maybe in Lincoln’s Inn Fields or on your way to celebrations.

A few simple choices make those photos even better:

  • Pick a base outfit with structure
    A shirt, dress or blazer with a bit of shape helps your Graduation gowns sit neatly instead of clinging.

  • Plan for changing temperatures
    Halls can be warm, but there can be a chill outside, especially if your ceremony slot is early or late in the day. Light layers under your Graduation gown give you options.

  • Wear shoes you trust on stairs and pavements
    You will move from the venue to photos to transport and back again. Choose shoes that look smart and feel stable.

  • Test your hair with the cap
    Try a few positions for your mortarboard from the LSE cap and gown set. A small adjustment in bun height or parting can stop the cap from slipping.

Honestly, a bit of practice at home pays off. It means that on the day you can focus on the moment, not on whether your hood is twisting.

How to order LSE graduation gowns step by step

Here is a simple flow you can follow to order from Churchill Gowns without overthinking it.

  1. Go to the London School of Economics collection page.

  2. Decide if you want London School of Economics gown hire or if you prefer to buy LSE graduation gown.

  3. Choose your award level so you see the correct LSE graduation gowns for your course.

  4. Use the size guide to select your Graduation gown and cap size.

  5. Add any extra hood or cap items you want from the LSE cap and gown range.

  6. Check delivery timings against your ceremony date and any travel plans.

  7. Complete checkout and keep your confirmation email somewhere easy, right next to your ceremony details.

That is it. Your LSE graduation robes are sorted

Leaving it late? You are not the only one

You know what, many LSE students do not look at Graduation gowns until results are confirmed or friends start talking about outfit plans. If that is you, no stress. The key is to focus on what you can still control.

If you are close to the ceremony date:

You do not need the perfect plan. You just need a clear decision that gets the right Graduation gown to your address in time.

A quick guide for parents, partners and supporters

If you are the person helping an LSE graduate sort their outfit, here is a quick overview in plain language.

To order LSE graduation gowns, you will usually need:

  • The graduate’s height

  • Their usual clothing size

  • Their head measurement

  • Their course and award level at the London School of Economics

With that, you can:

  1. Decide between London School of Economics gown hire and the option to buy LSE graduation gown.

  2. Choose the correct set of Graduation gowns.

  3. Add any extra items from the LSE cap and gown collection if they want a spare cap or hood.

  4. Select the best delivery address, whether that is student halls, a rented flat or a family home.

On the day, when you see them walking across the stage in their LSE graduation robes, that small bit of planning will feel very worthwhile.

Final checklist before you confirm your order

Before you lock in your LSE graduation gowns order, run through this quick checklist.

If all of that looks good, you are ready.

From there, the focus shifts back to the moments that really matter: your name being called, that first step onto the stage, a quick glance up at the crowd, and the feeling of your LSE graduation robes as you cross the platform and close this chapter of your LSE journey.