When Should You Order Your Graduation Gown?

Graduation is a major milestone, and your academic dress is an important part of the occasion. With invitations to organise, guests to coordinate and photographs to plan, ordering your graduation gown early is one simple way to make the day less stressful.

How early should you order your academic dress?

We recommend ordering your graduation gown as soon as your ceremony date and qualification have been confirmed. Ideally, you should place your order at least two to four weeks before your graduation.

Ordering early gives you:

• The best choice of gown and mortarboard sizes
• Time to check that you have selected the correct university and qualification
• Extra reassurance during busy summer and winter graduation periods
• Time to try everything on before the ceremony
• The opportunity to arrange an exchange if you would prefer a different size

If your ceremony is approaching quickly, don’t panic. Churchill Gowns also offers faster delivery options on many orders, subject to stock availability. However, ordering early is always the safest choice.

Why choose home delivery for your graduation gown?

Traditional graduation gown hire often means collecting your academic dress at the venue on the morning of your ceremony. This can involve long queues and leave very little time to check the fit, take photographs or meet your guests.

With Churchill Gowns, your academic dress is delivered directly to your chosen address before your graduation. This means you can try on your gown, hood and mortarboard at home and make sure you are happy with everything before the big day.

Your order is scheduled to arrive at least two days before your ceremony, giving you more time and flexibility.

More time for graduation photographs

Your graduation ceremony may only last a few hours, but the photographs will stay with you for years.

Receiving your gown at home gives you time to take photographs with family and friends before travelling to the ceremony. You can also visit a meaningful location, return to your university campus at a quieter time or arrange a separate graduation photoshoot without feeling rushed.

It is especially useful if elderly relatives, young children or family members who cannot attend the ceremony would still like to celebrate and take photographs with you.

Rather than trying to fit every photograph into a busy schedule at the venue, you can enjoy the experience at your own pace.

Avoid queues on the day

Graduation days can be busy. You may need to register, collect tickets, meet guests, find your seat and arrive at the ceremony by a specific time.

Having your academic dress delivered in advance removes one more task from the day. You can arrive already dressed or bring your gown with you, knowing that you have checked the fit and have everything you need.

That means less time queuing and more time celebrating.

Easy returns after your ceremony

If you hire your academic dress from Churchill Gowns, returning it is straightforward.

Your order includes a resealable return bag and prepaid return label. After your graduation, simply pack the hired items, return them within the stated return period and register the return through our website.

You normally have up to two days after your ceremony to send the hired items back. This gives you another opportunity to take photographs after graduation, rather than having to return your gown immediately after leaving the stage.

If you would prefer to keep your academic dress as a lasting reminder of your achievement, purchase options are also available.

Get ready for your graduation

Once your ceremony date has been confirmed, there is no need to wait. Ordering early gives you greater peace of mind and more time to enjoy your academic dress before and after the ceremony.

With convenient home delivery, prepaid returns and affordable hire and purchase options, Churchill Gowns helps make graduation gowning simple—leaving you with more time for photographs, family and celebrating everything you have achieved.

Find the correct academic dress for your university.