What shoes for a doctoral promotion ceremony?

Of course, if you can afford it, then this is a perfect occasion for a celebratory purchase.

Get a pair of shoes you have been coveting, but needed an excuse to buy. A once in a lifetime event. Unless it is a very unusual university, the professors will be dressed like professors, and the attendees will be there to celebrate with their friend/spouse/child who is graduating. No one but your entourage will notice your shoes, so you can quite literally wear anything. I assure you plenty of people have received their doctorates wearing sneakers. But if you want to be there in a pair of bespoke Lobbs, or anywhere in between, go for it.

Congratulations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by katastrofa 

I also have a pair of brogue oxfords in polished leather, but I'm not sure if they wouldn't look too casual.

Confusing negations aside, I think brown dress shoes (assuming your brogued oxfords are indeed brown) are equally fine for such a ceremony. And if they're not brown, then this is a perfect excuse to buy yourself a pair of brown dress shoes. I wouldn't worry about dressing too informally in an academic setting (chances are you know this already), although a degree-granting ceremony is one of the more formal events that takes place every year, and it can be fun to dress up on your big day.