GRADWYSEDoctoral Cap and Gown 2022 Golden Tassel for PhD Graduates Faculty Common Fit Unisex Matte Unisex Black

I purchased both this and one of the other fancier-looking, more expensive options on Amazon. This one by GRADWYSE is undoubtedly the winner.This gown lightweight. A size 48 came in at 15.2 ounces (a little under 1 lb). This does reflect a thinner and cheaper fabric composition, but this is a good thing! Graduation ceremonies are usually jam-packed with very tight seating. My school's ceremony is also 3 hours long, outside, in the sun, without shade. Lighter fabric = less sweaty! Win!I will note that this gown does not have the pretty pleating around the shoulders and back that the more expensive options have. This doesn't bother me because pleating details on a giant black potato sack (gown) rarely show up in photos unless you're zooming in very close. IMO, this cheap gown photographs as well as the more expensive options.The lack of shoulder pleating (and the reinforcements to support that pleating) was actually a benefit for my petite frame. The more expensive option that did have all this stiff pleating was much heavier, weighing down my shoulders while at the same time making me look 6 inches wider across the shoulders. Imagine putting on a blazer that has stiff shoulder pads and is 3 sizes too big, with ginormous sleeves on top of that. Not flattering. This GRADWYSE gown, with its soft shoulders, better conformed to my petite lady shoulders and was much more comfortable.I used to rent regalia every year, and this GRADWYSE gown is comparable in quality to rental regalia. I finally decided to purchase regalia because this gown costs the same as a one-time rental. Totally worth it if you're faculty or need to wear this more than once in a lifetime.

I thought I was ordering the largest size. I’m losing weight hopefully I won’t have to modify it for graduation

Not true to size. Order one size bigger than you actually need. Poor quality material.

I bought a fancier one and when I tried it on it was huge and heavy. I know I would melt outside in Florida, even in May so I returned it. This one fit perfectly and was light enough that I didn’t sweat through. Delivered on time for the occasion.

Material is a bit thin. I guess it’s good for summer graduation