Spring is just around the corner, and for teachers and parents with kids who are moving on to the next stage in the Japanese education system, that means graduation season.

MH has a question about appropriate attire for the big occasion: My kid is about to graduate from public elementary school. When she finished kindergarten six years ago, I showed up in casual clothes at graduation and all the other moms were in dark suits. So then I wore a navy suit to her school entrance ceremony a few weeks later, and the majority were in pastels. I guess I didn't get the memo on that one! So, is there anything I should know about elementary graduation? My kid sticks out enough as it is, so I don't want to make it worse by dressing "wrong."

As a parent of three, I've made my fair share of clothing gaffes too. I think it is true to say that clothing trends have relaxed somewhat in the six years between my oldest and youngest graduating from elementary school. For a start, more women are opting for the relative comfort of pants suits over the traditional "graduation suit" of jacket and tight skirt. Today's younger mothers tend to be less concerned about what others think and dress to suit their personal style, too.