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Your support makes all the difference.The University of Edinburgh has drawn criticism for being classist and sexist after recommending final-year students spend thousands of pounds on their graduation outfits.
In an article which featured in a newsletter, students were advised to visit Harvey Nichols department store and spend costly amounts on clothes and accessories.
While male students were advised to buy “affordable” suits - of which the cheapest was £500 - the suggestion that female students should buy a £785 clutch bag to “store your lippy and smartphone” was the most-criticised by students.
According to a screenshot of the article which was posted onto Twitter, an excerpt from the piece read: “Girls, this is your time to invest in some sophisticated glamour. Think, French chic meets New York business and you’ll get it right.
“A little black dress from a brand like Carven or Iro would be spot on, and go for killer accessories: Gianvito Rossi heels and a clutch with personality to store your lippy and smartphone. Remember, image is everything!”
The editor of The Tab in Edinburgh, Laura Williamson, launched a scathing attack on the piece, and called it “more out of touch with the student population than George Osborne.” She added: “Not only this, but the article is so sexist it’s cringe-worthy,” expressing discontent for the “patronising” way female students are called “girls.”
She also heavily criticised the article for suggesting students spend “two months’ rent” on a clutch bag, and also for its ending sentence, further accusing it of sending “a poisonous message,” saying image was being more high-regarded than the fact students have taken four years to study for a degree.
The university took to Twitter to apologise for the graduation fashion advice piece which was posted in the latest edition of the student newsletter, and admitted that “it wasn’t appropriate.”
A spokesperson for the university said in a statement it was not the institution’s normal practice to promote or advertise any external companies or services, and added: “The page had not gone through the correct approval process and has since been taken down.”
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