What to Wear to a Graduation: Handy Style Guide

Are you wondering what to wear to a graduation? 

This article is here to provide you with many fashionable options and respond to the question: what to wear for graduation?

Spring is here and summer is coming soon. For students, that means only one thing....school’s out! For some of these students, the end of the semester will signify a new phase in their lives. These are the students that will be graduating and moving on to new schools or starting out on their career paths. If you are one of these lucky students, or if you will be attending the graduation, you may be wondering what to wear to a graduation. Well, never fear because this article will give you a variety of fashionable options. 

For Graduates: 

When thinking about what to wear to a graduation, we need to think about both what the attendees will wear as well as what the graduates will wear. Graduates might not think what they wear will be important since their outfits will be covered up by a bulky robe. 

However, they may not have time to change between their actual graduation and the dinner or celebration that will follow. Therefore, they need to choose their outfits carefully when thinking about what to wear for graduation. 

Wear Something Sleek

It is important to wear something that will look not interfere with the line of your robe. Therefore, a sleek dress will work well. However, you don’t want to wear anything too revealing given the gravity of the situation and the respect you want to show to your school and family. Dresses can be tight or just fitted. For styles, there is no need to be overly conservative. Wearing something cute and sassy will be a great way to celebrate this exciting event. When thinking of the length of the dress, go for something that hits mid thigh or longer. However, you also don’t want to wear anything that will stick out of the bottom of your robe. If possible, wear a dress that has pockets. When you are walking the aisle in your robe, carrying a purse will not be a possibility. Try to take as little as possible with you, just enough to put in your pockets without causing bulky lines.

Shoes 

Because you will be wearing a robe, your shoes will be in the fashion spotlight. Heels will be glamorous and elegant but a high pair of stilettos can also have you tripping down the aisle! Therefore, it is best to go for a pair of wedges which will be stylish and fashionable but also a bit sturdier than most precarious heels.

For Attendees

If you are invited to someone else’s graduation, there are many things to consider. First of all, you want to think about the formality of the event. Some graduations are more formal than others. You also don’t want to wear something too flamboyant, which will be inappropriate and could upstage the graduate. Lastly, you want to wear something you will feel comfortable in. Keeping all that in mind, here are some great summer fashion trends that will be great for a graduation.

Skater Dress: 

Characterized by a tight top and flowing bottom, these dresses are a great way to look dressy without being over the top. Go for a stunning solid color or if you prefer a romantic look, wear a light blue dress. When it comes to length, find a dress that hits a few inches above the knee. Pair it will heels, flats, or wedges.

Blazer

If you have a more formal ceremony to attend and you’re wondering what to wear for graduation, putting a blazer over your outfit will dress it up but still give it a casual overall vibe. Blazers can be worn over a nice pants outfit. Think about a white pair of pants and a subtly printed shirt with a tan blazer. You can also wear a blazer over a dress. One example might be a navy blazer over a t-shirt dress with a bold, nautical stripe. 

Pencil Skirt

A pencil skirt is classy and dressy but also understated. When thinking of a pencil skirt, you don’t have to limit yourself to an office look. Think of adding prints on either the skirt or the top you choose to go with it. A fitted crop top is the perfect complement to a pencil skirt. For shoes, heels, flats, or a great pair of low heeled boots can work.

Wide Leg Trousers

Wide leg trousers can add the right amount of class without going overboard. To show off the high cut of the pants, pair them with a crop sweater or tuck in/tie up a button front. Add a pair of heels, flats, loafers, or ankle boots. 

A Casual Jumpsuit 

Jumpsuits are always easy to wear. Just take them out of the closet and voila—you have your entire outfit. They are also perfect for graduations because they tow the line between dressy and understated. Jumpsuits can come in any variety of colors and prints and most will work for your graduation event. Pair them with a pair of heels, boots, or flats to complete your look.

A Floral Dress

Floral prints are always great for a spring to summer look, and they are ideal for times when you want to look dressy without going overboard. A floral dress can come in a variety of styles ranging from a tight sundress to those featuring short sleeves and flowing hemlines. As long as you have the floral theme, pretty much anything goes! Pair your floral dress with feminine heels, wedges, sandals, or flats.

With graduation on the minds of so many students and their friends and families, I’m sure many of us are thinking about what to wear to a graduation.  Fortunately, this article is here to provide you with many fashionable options. And to all the graduates who will be moving on this year, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!