What To Wear To Graduation: Ideas For Guests & Grads
For most, the completion of an academic chapter is also the start of a new journey.
Graduation day itself marks a special time in one’s life and is a day filled with pride and excitement.
It’s a day to celebrate your achievements in front of (and with!) your family members and friends.
When attending a graduation (whether you’re a graduate or a guest), it’s important to dress appropriately to honor the formality of the event.
It’s a big day for graduates to celebrate all their hard work and will likely be one of the most memorable days of their lives!
If you’re attending as a guest, it’s important to let the graduate shine.
While there is generally no specific dress code, there are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing your outfit.
Choosing the right outfit for graduation can be a blend of reflecting personal style while keeping in mind it is still a special event.
Whether the event takes place in the breezy beginnings of spring or under the warm sun of summer, selecting attire that’s both comfortable and suitable for the weather is important if it’s an outdoor event.
For graduates, their attire typically includes a cap and gown, however, the clothing worn underneath should both complement the ceremonial garb and be practical for celebrations that may follow.
Guests attending the ceremony also play a part in making the day special.
They have the opportunity to select outfits that express their happiness for the graduate’s achievements.
In today’s post, I’m sharing my top tips for choosing a graduation outfit for the graduate as well as graduation guest outfits.
What To Wear To A Graduation
When it comes to graduation attire, one should aim for an ensemble that’s both stylish and appropriate for the occasion while also reflecting your personal style and the formality of the commencement ceremony.
Realistically, graduate gowns are going to cover most of a graduate’s outfit. However, there will be plenty of photo ops without your gown on.
Not to mention, there is often e a potential party or celebration after the actual ceremony.
Whether it’s a high school or college graduation, the type of ceremony often dictates the level of formality required.
As a general rule for college graduations which tend to be more formal, attendees are expected to dress in a manner that aligns with the importance of the event.
In contrast, high school graduations might allow for slightly more relaxed attire, though still keeping a sense of modesty.
First, we’ll go over what to wear to a graduation for women.
Graduation Attire For Women
Many women prefer to wear a dress for graduation, but selecting the right style is crucial.
Most importantly, you want to keep the dress length suitable for the occasion.
Opt for a length that isn’t too short and make sure that the cut isn’t one you have to worry about (such as a not-so-perfectly placed leg slit).
A nice dress such as a shift dress is a timeless option that honors the significance of the event.
It’s an appropriate and modest cut that can still show off your figure without being provocative.
This type of dress is a great option for both a grad and a guest alike.
You don’t have to wear something knee length, but you don’t want to wear something super short either.
You can quite literally never go wrong with a little black dress, but any neutral color is a safe choice.
Just remember, you’ll likely be taking plenty of pictures throughout the day so you want your dress to complement your skin tone and photograph well.
For graduations taking place in late spring or early summer, a white dress in a sundress style is a great option.
Bright colors are acceptable, but if you’re not comfortable in a bold color, you can add a in some color with your accessories instead.
Statement earrings can add just the right mount color and of personality to your outfit.
Here are some dress options for high school graduation:
Your shoe selection will be based on the type of dress (or outfit) you choose so we’ll get to those in a bit.
For college graduations be conscious of any particular dress codes and try to stick to semi-formal or business attire, such as a tailored dress.
You can even consider school colors if they fit your personality.
Here are some graduation dress options for women for a college graduation:
For men, a shirt and tie with slacks is a great choice.
For a high school graduation ceremony that is out on a football field or in a school gymnasium, dress codes are often a bit more relaxed.
However, this is still a special day and outfits should fit such a special occasion.
As mentioned previously, for graduates, a simple sundress in a lightweight material is a great choice for warmer weather.
For colder months a long-sleeved wrap dress or even a two-piece set like a blazer and slacks set is a good option.
Comfortable Shoes
Graduation ceremonies often involve a lot of walking and standing.
As such, it is important to choose footwear that won’t compromise your comfort, especially if you’re a graduate.
Remember that many high school graduations have an outdoor ceremony that takes place in the grass and for women, this is particularly important if you plan to wear high heels.
A good rule of thumb for graduates is to opt for a pair with a block heel or choose wedges.
A strappy heel with a block heel is okay, but you should try your best to avoid a stiletto heel, even if it has a low heel height.
The most important thing is being able to easily walk in your shoes.
No one wants to trip across the stage when they’re getting their diploma and the best way to avoid that is by wearing proper footwear!
Just remember, flats or low heels are a good choice for both comfort and stability.
If heels are a must, block heels or wedges offer greater support than stiletto heels.
Remember, one’s attire should complement the graduation gown without overshadowing it, as the gown itself is a symbol of the graduate’s achievement.
Accessories & Jewelry
When dressing for a graduation, accessories play a major role in enhancing the overall look.
They should complement the attire while being appropriate for the significant milestone.
They are the perfect way to add a fun detail or even a little color.
Graduates often choose jewelry that adds a touch of elegance without overshadowing the rest of their look.
Statement earrings are a great option pairing with dresses that have high necklines.
A delicate necklace like the one above or a bracelet is a perfect choice for a dress or top with a sweetheart neckline.
It’s also common for graduates to wear a special piece of jewelry that symbolizes their achievements or future aspirations.
Here is a head-to-toe outfit that would be perfect for graduation:
Shop Dress | Shop Heels | Shop Purse | Shop Earrings
This outfit is simple yet figure-flattering while being appropriate for a graduation.
Graduation Attire For Men
Now that we know what to wear to a graduation when it comes to women’s outfits, let dive into some options for men.
For men, khaki dress pants and a dress shirt will work in colder months and for warmer weather, pairing khaki shorts and a button-down shirt with short sleeves is a good idea.
When it comes to accessories and jewelry, a classic watch or cufflinks is plenty.
Dress shoes shoes should be well-fitting and broken in to avoid discomfort.
Opt for classic colors like black or brown that match most suit colors.
Here is an outfit for men attending graduation as well as those graduating.
Here’s an example of a graduation outfit idea for men:
Graduation Cap Customization
The graduation cap is a key component of the commencement ensemble and offers a creative outlet for personal expression.
Graduates may choose to decorate their caps with phrases, fabric, or symbols that resonate with their journey or future goals.
However, it’s important to ensure any customization aligns with the ceremony’s guidelines.
In the spirit of the milestone, sticking to a solid color theme that complements the gown keeps the look unified.
If adding embellishments, they should be securely attached to avoid any mishaps during the ceremony.
It’s also important to select the right bag for both practicality and style.
A small clutch in a solid color can hold essentials like a phone, ID, and lipstick, and it easily fits under the chair or in the lap during the ceremony.
For guests of a high school graduation, you’ll likely be sitting in bleachers so having a small bag is ideal.
Shop White Dress With Mesh Sleeves
Graduation Party Attire
For graduation parties, guests can often dress more casually.
A great choice for men is a polo shirt with chinos, and for women, a playful midi dress or a chic blouse with tailored pants is a great choice.
However, most graduates and guests will want to stay in the dress they wore to the graduation ceremony.
Again, this will all depend on the venue.
A very formal setting would call for a cocktail dress while a backyard get-together will require something much more casual.
Additionally, guests should consider the time of day.
if there is a large gap between graduation and the celebration, a change of clothes may be necessary.
Conclusion
When deciding what to wear to a graduation there are several important factors to consider.
First, you want to consider the graduation season. Is it hot, cold, rainy, etc.?
The time of year and weather will have a major impact on the outfit you choose.
Next, you want to take into account the type of graduation.
For high school graduations, you can typically get away with a more relaxed look while a college graduation is typically a bit more refined.
For women (both graduates and guests) you can never go wrong with a little black dress in a modest length, paired with a comfortable block heel.
For men, tailored pants, a button-down shirt, and dress shoes are great choices.
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