January 16, 2026

Can I use an alternative gown supplier for Loughborough University ?

Loughborough University graduation gowns without the faff

You have survived lab reports, group projects, icy 9 a.m. lectures and late nights in the library. Now the WhatsApp chats have moved on to one thing:

"Have you sorted your gown for grad yet?"

If you are trying to find Loughborough University graduation gowns that look spot on for the ceremony, without mystery fees or confusing options, you are in exactly the right place. Churchill Gowns lets you hire or buy Loughborough University graduation gown in the same straightforward way you order anything else online, with the added bonus of clear guidance all the way through.

You know what? Getting your outfit sorted really does not need to be stressful.

Do you have to use the "official" gown provider?

Let me explain this part, because it is where a lot of confusion starts.

Your ceremony information might mention an "official" supplier for Loughborough University. That wording can sound like a rule. It is not. Across the UK, students are free to choose who supplies their Graduation gown.

Every year, thousands of graduates pick alternative suppliers for their Graduation gowns because they want:

  • Transparent pricing from the start

  • Delivery to their home or accommodation

  • Time to try everything on and take mirror photos before the big day

  • Easy returns for hire sets

On stage, staff are interested in whether your Loughborough University graduation robes follow the correct academic style. They are not checking which website you used. So if you prefer the flexibility, it is completely fine to choose Loughborough University graduation gowns from Churchill Gowns.

What makes these gowns right for Loughborough?

At first glance, a Graduation gown just looks like a black robe and a cap. In reality, Loughborough has a particular academic dress style that is part of the ceremony tradition. The details matter.

Churchill Gowns designs Loughborough University graduation gowns to align with that look, so you fit seamlessly into your cohort on the day.

That means:

The result is simple. You get to enjoy the formality and tradition of Loughborough graduation, while ordering in a calm, familiar online shopping experience.

Hire or buy - which option actually suits you?

Next big decision: do you go for Loughborough gown hire or buy Loughborough University graduation gown?

Both routes work. It just depends what feels right for your budget, your plans and how you see your gown fitting into your life after graduation.

When Loughborough gown hire is the sensible move

Loughborough gown hire is usually the best fit if:

  • You want to keep costs as lean as possible

  • You are about to move cities, start a grad job elsewhere or head abroad

  • You do not have space in your wardrobe or storage boxes for formal robes

  • You see your Graduation gown as a one-day outfit rather than something you will use again

With hire, you receive a full set of Loughborough University graduation gowns, wear them for the ceremony and photos, then send them back. Clean, quick, and off your to-do list.

When buying your gown makes more sense

On the other hand, it can feel right to buy Loughborough University graduation gown if:

  • This is a once in a lifetime achievement you want to keep a physical reminder of

  • You plan a career where you might attend future ceremonies or academic events

  • You like the idea of graduation photos at different life stages, all in the same Graduation gown

  • A parent, partner or relative wants to gift you something clearly linked to your degree

When you own your Loughborough University graduation robes, they become part of your story, not just a rental for a single afternoon.

What exactly do you get in a Loughborough set?

To keep things easy, Churchill Gowns offers full sets of Loughborough University graduation gowns along with individual items if you need something extra.

A standard set, whether hire or purchase, will normally include:

If you already have one component, or you want a spare hood or cap for extra photos, you can build your own combination using items from the Loughborough Uni cap and gown collection.

Either way, when the parcel arrives you should have everything you need to look ceremony ready.

Sizing your gown - without second guessing yourself

Fit is where confidence comes from. A well-sized Graduation gown lets you walk across the stage, handle the handshake and navigate the seating without feeling restricted or swamped.

To pick the right sizes for your Graduation gowns, gather:

  • Your height, so the gown falls around mid calf

  • Your usual clothing size

  • Your head measurement for the mortarboard in your Loughborough Uni cap and gown set

Most students find that if they are between sizes, going slightly bigger works better. It allows for wearing a blazer, suit jacket or more structured dress under the Graduation gown without feeling squeezed.

When your Loughborough University graduation gowns arrive, do a quick home rehearsal:

  1. Put on the outfit you plan to wear on the day.

  2. Layer your Graduation gown over the top.

  3. Add your hood and check that your Loughborough University graduation robes sit smoothly across your shoulders and back.

  4. Try on your cap, experiment with the angle, and walk around a little.

If you can move naturally, sit down, stand up and smile for the camera without constant adjusting, you are good to go.

What to wear under your Loughborough University graduation robes

Here is the thing. Your Loughborough University graduation robes will be the outer layer, but your base outfit does a lot of the heavy lifting for how you feel during the day.

A few pointers:

  • Formality and vibe
    Most Loughborough ceremonies sit at the smart end of smart casual. Think shirts and trousers, a simple dress, smart jumpsuit or coordinated separates under your Graduation gowns. You want to look polished, but still like yourself.

  • Colour choices
    Dark Graduation gowns tend to work well over lighter or mid-tone outfits. If you go for an all dark look underneath, try to bring in interest through texture or accessories so you do not vanish in group photos.

  • Shoes that can actually survive the day
    You will be walking from campus spots to the venue, posing for photos, maybe heading into town afterwards. Choose shoes that look good in pictures but can also cope with stairs, pavements and standing around.

  • Hair and headwear
    If you wear hijab, a turban, headwrap or certain hairstyles, you might want to play around in advance with how your mortarboard, from the Loughborough Uni cap and gown set, sits on top. Some graduates prefer to wear it for the ceremony then hold it in later photos. Both are perfectly fine options.

A little thought here means your Graduation gown feels like part of a planned outfit, not an awkward add-on.

How to order Loughborough University graduation gowns step by step

When your to-do list is already full, you do not need extra complexity. So here is a simple flow you can follow when you are ready to sort your outfit.

  1. Go to the Loughborough University collection page.

  2. Choose whether Loughborough gown hire or the option to buy Loughborough University graduation gown makes more sense for you.

  3. Select the correct award level so you see the right Loughborough University graduation gowns for your degree.

  4. Use the size guide to pick the best Graduation gown and cap sizes for your height and measurements.

  5. Add any extra items you want from the Loughborough Uni cap and gown range, such as an extra hood or cap.

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

  7. Complete checkout and keep your order confirmation with your ceremony emails.

Once that is done, your Graduation gowns are officially ticked off.

Last minute sorting - it happens more than you think

Honestly, very few people are planning their Loughborough University graduation gowns months in advance. Between coursework, final year projects, placements and job applications, gown logistics often get pushed to the last minute.

If the ceremony is getting close:

You do not need perfection. You just need a reliable option that gets the right Graduation gown to you in time.

A quick guide for parents, partners and supporters

If you are the organised one helping a Loughborough grad get ready, here is the short version you can work from.

To order Loughborough University graduation gowns, you will usually need:

  • The graduate’s height

  • Their typical clothing size

  • Their head measurement for the cap

  • Their course and award level at Loughborough University

Then you can:

  1. Decide with them between Loughborough gown hire and the option to buy Loughborough University graduation gown.

  2. Select the correct set of Graduation gowns from the Loughborough collection page.

  3. Add any extra pieces from Loughborough Uni cap and gown if they would like an additional hood or cap.

  4. Choose the most reliable delivery address, whether that is a student flat, family home or halls.

On the day, seeing them in full Loughborough University graduation robes walking across the stage is the reward for a bit of early planning.

Final checklist before the big day

Before you move on to booking restaurants, planning who is bringing tissues and arguing about photo locations, run through this quick checklist:

If you can tick those off, you are in a great place. The next time you think about your Loughborough University graduation gowns, it will not be during a rushed midnight search. It will be when you put them on, fix your hood, straighten your cap and get ready to walk onto the stage and celebrate everything you have earned.



Written by Jeremy Yang