That Edinburgh graduation feeling
Imagine walking through the Old Town in your robes, skirting around tourists on the Royal Mile, bagpipes in the background, friends trying to keep their caps from blowing away. You glance at a window and see yourself in full University of Edinburgh graduation gowns and it hits you.
You did it.
All the late nights in the library, the essays that felt like they would never end, the labs, the tutorials, the group projects that somehow came together, the wind that always seemed worse up by campus. It all leads to that one moment when you walk the stage at Edinburgh University.
On that day your Graduation gown is not just fabric. It is the thing that connects you to every graduate who crossed that stage before you, and it is what shows up in every single photo that your family will talk about for years.
This page is here to make that part easy. One place, everything you need to know about University of Edinburgh graduation gowns, with plain language, clear choices and zero faff.
Why your gown choice matters more than “it is only for a day”
It is tempting to treat Graduation gowns like a boring admin task. You get the ceremony email, skim it, think “I will sort my robe later” and then put it off while you juggle deadlines and real life.
But here is the thing. Your Graduation gown is:
You are not choosing a random costume. You are picking from University of Edinburgh graduation gowns designed to match your institution’s academic dress. That is what turns “it will do” into “that still looks right ten years from now when someone pulls the album out again”.
What you actually get with University of Edinburgh graduation gowns
When you order through the Edinburgh University collection at Churchill Gowns, you are looking at sets built for the way the university’s academic dress works. No guessing, no mixing and matching from generic options.
A typical set of University of Edinburgh graduation gowns will include:
Each piece is designed to work with the others. The hood sits properly on your shoulders instead of sliding around every time you move. The Graduation gown falls at the right point on your legs so stairs, walking and posing for photos feel natural. The cap stays put even when the Edinburgh wind decides to get involved.
It sounds simple, but on a day when everyone has phones out and the cameras do not stop, those details really matter.
Hire or buy - which route fits you best
Now for the big decision. Do you go for University of Edinburgh gown hire, or do you buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown and keep your full set
Both options give you authentic University of Edinburgh graduation gowns. The difference is what happens after graduation day.
When University of Edinburgh gown hire makes perfect sense
University of Edinburgh gown hire is usually best if:
- You only need the outfit for the ceremony, photos and maybe a post-grad dinner
- You want to manage costs efficiently with everything else that is happening
- You prefer a simple receive, wear, return flow
With hire, your parcel arrives at home before your ceremony. Inside you will find:
You try everything on, wear it on the day, then follow straightforward instructions to send it back. If you have ever returned anything with an online order, the process will feel very familiar.
When to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown
Choosing to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown is better if:
When you go this route you keep:
Some graduates hang everything up and bring it out when they are feeling nostalgic. Others wear parts of the outfit again for school talks, professional events or further study. There is no single correct choice, only what fits your budget, storage space and feelings about your time in Edinburgh.
How to order your gown online without drama
You are juggling a lot right now: exams, dissertations, part-time work, maybe job hunting or moving plans. Sorting University of Edinburgh graduation gowns should be the easy bit.
Here is a simple step by step route.
1. Start in the right place
Begin on the dedicated Edinburgh University page. That way everything you are seeing is aligned to Edinburgh University graduation robes. No guesswork, no wondering if you have picked the wrong style.
2. Decide between hire and purchase
Next, choose between University of Edinburgh gown hire and the option to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown.
Ask yourself two quick questions:
Your first honest reaction is usually the right one.
3. Choose your size
Sizing for Graduation gowns is based mainly on height. You will also give your head size so the cap fits snugly for your Edinburgh Uni cap and gown look.
In general, your Graduation gown should fall somewhere between mid calf and ankle. That length moves well on stairs and looks balanced in photos of your Edinburgh University graduation robes.
4. Check delivery times
At checkout you will see an estimated delivery window. Lots of people order their University of Edinburgh graduation gowns three to six weeks before their ceremony date.
If your schedule is hectic, ordering earlier gives you peace of mind. If you are waiting on confirmed plans for visitors or travel, you can leave it a bit closer to the ceremony as long as there is still time for your parcel to arrive and for you to try everything on.
5. Do a full try on at home
Please do not skip this. It is like a dress rehearsal for your Graduation gown and it saves stress on the day.
When your parcel arrives:
Ask someone to take a few photos and a short video while you walk, turn and sit. It might feel slightly staged, but it means that when you are lining up to graduate, you already know everything looks right.
6. Ceremony day and after
If you have chosen University of Edinburgh gown hire, you will follow the return instructions after your ceremony. Your Graduation gown, hood and cap go back together.
If you decided to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown, you simply hang your outfit up and keep it as part of your Edinburgh story.
What to wear under your gown in Edinburgh
Honestly, this is where Edinburgh’s personality appears. The weather can be chilly, windy, sunny, or all three in the same hour, so what you wear under your Graduation gown needs to work with the elements as well as the photos.
Good options to wear under Graduation gowns include:
- A smart shirt or blouse with a collar plus tailored trousers or a skirt
- A simple dress or jumpsuit that does not compete with the colours of your Edinburgh University graduation robes
- Shoes you can actually walk in on old stone and steps
Layers are your friend. You can always remove a thin knit under your Graduation gown if you warm up, but it is harder to fix feeling frozen in the middle of a family photo.
If you wear a headscarf, turban or other head covering, give yourself time to experiment with the cap from your Edinburgh Uni cap and gown. Try different positions and check how it looks from the side and behind. The goal is comfortable and secure, not precariously balanced.
Best places for Edinburgh Uni cap and gown photos
You know what, half the fun of the day is wandering around in your Edinburgh Uni cap and gown and bumping into people you know. Still, it helps to have a few photo spots in mind so you do not lose all your time deciding where to go.
Popular ideas for photos in University of Edinburgh graduation gowns include:
- In front of a classic campus building, with your Edinburgh University graduation robes taking centre stage
- A full-length shot on a courtyard or steps, Graduation gown catching the movement as you walk
- Candid laughing shots with course mates, robes slightly swishing, caps at slightly chaotic angles
- A quieter picture in a green space or along a historic street, your Graduation gowns contrasting with the stonework
If you are into TikTok or Instagram, do the “serious” ones early so the family is happy, then lean into the fun. Slow walks, cap tosses, spin transitions, before and after clips. Your Edinburgh Uni cap and gown works in all of them.
If you have left things later than you planned
If you are here a couple of weeks before your ceremony thinking, “I really should have sorted my University of Edinburgh graduation gowns by now”, you are not the only one. Life happens, deadlines appear, time disappears.
Here is what to do right now:
- Go straight to the Edinburgh University page, so you are only looking at correct options.
- Decide quickly between University of Edinburgh gown hire and the option to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown.
- Check delivery windows carefully and pick the option that gets your Graduation gown to you with enough breathing space to try it on.
Right now, “sorted and on the way” matters more than endless comparison.
For parents, partners and proud plus ones
If you are reading this as the supportive person behind the graduate, this part is for you.
You might have helped with rent, childcare, proof reading, travel money, emotional support or just endless cups of tea while they studied. Now you want the ceremony to feel polished and special, and you do not want to worry that the outfit is wrong on the day.
A few key reassurances:
Your main job then is the nice one: making sure they eat, drink water, arrive on time and have someone in the crowd cheering when they cross the stage.
Quick Edinburgh gown FAQ
When should I order my gown?
Once your ceremony date is confirmed, it is a good time to look at University of Edinburgh graduation gowns. Many people order three to six weeks before. If you are closer than that, focus on checking the delivery times and choose whatever gets your Graduation gown to you on time.
How do I pick the right size?
Select your Graduation gowns based mainly on height, and give an accurate head size for the cap. When the parcel arrives, do a full try on with the clothes and shoes you plan to wear. The Graduation gown should feel comfortable, not tight or dragging.
If I hire, do I have to return everything?
Yes. With University of Edinburgh gown hire, your Graduation gown, hood and cap are part of a single hire set, so they are returned together. If you specifically want to keep your Edinburgh Uni cap and gown, it is better to buy University of Edinburgh graduation gown.
What if my gown looks creased when it arrives?
Take your Graduation gown out of the packaging and hang it up as soon as possible. Light creases will usually drop out on their own. You can also follow any care guidance that comes with your Graduation gowns for extra polish.
How can I stop the hood moving around?
Hoods that are designed as part of the proper Edinburgh University graduation robes tend to sit better than costume versions, especially over shirts or structured dresses. A small safety pin at the front, attaching the hood to your Graduation gown, is a very common and very effective trick.
On the day checklist
On graduation morning, your head will be busy with timings, tickets and people. A quick checklist keeps things calm.
Make sure you have:
Tick those off and you are already in very good shape.
Ready to sort your Edinburgh graduation outfit
You have done the hard part already. The years of study, the labs, the essays, the early mornings, the late nights, the whole Edinburgh experience. Now it is about giving that work the moment it deserves.
If you are ready to move from “I really should sort my outfit” to “My University of Edinburgh graduation gowns are sorted”, your next step is simple:
From there, it is just sizing, delivery and a quick try on at home. Then it is your name, your walk across the stage, and your Graduation gown catching the light while the people who matter most cheer you on.
