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Home Fashion: Trending What To Wear Under Your Graduation Gown

What To Wear Under Your Graduation Gown

Graduation season is officially here and it’s time to find your dream dress for the occasion.

Before we get into the outfits, congratulations! It’s your special day where you finally get to celebrate what you’ve been spending years working towards. You should be so proud of yourself! You’ll be looking back on your grad pics for years to come, and we’re here to help you find an outfit you’ll love to revisit.

From figuring out how your dress will look underneath your gown, to what shoes to wear to the ceremony, this blog is your go-to guide on what to wear to a graduation and how to find something you feel confident, cute and comfortable in.

Dress For The Occasion

The most important thing about dressing for graduation is comfort and practicality.

It’s likely an all-day event, where you’ll be sitting and standing for long periods of time. Plus, you’ll also want something that is versatile enough to take you through to the after party!

Think about the event details, your style preferences and keep an eye on the weather forecast. Pro tip: if it’s super windy and your ceremony is held outdoors, a maxi dress will be your bff when you take the stage!

Graduation Dresses

What dress should you wear to graduation? Is there a particular style that you should or shouldn’t wear? If these are the kinds of questions on your mind, you’re in the right place.

The perfect graduation dress will be different for everyone, but, there’s a common theme to keep in mind. Graduation is a formal occasion that calls for a more polished, elevated look.

Save your sequin mini dress for later and reach for more understated, timeless styles. This definitely doesn’t mean your look has to be boring!

Formal looks are some of the most flattering looks out there (plus, who doesn’t love playing dress up for a day?!). Think strapless maxi dresses or mini dresses with square necklines. Let’s take a deeper dive into how you can bring your look together.

Mini vs Maxi Dresses

Your graduation dress code can 100% work with both mini and maxi dresses, so it’s all about choosing what feels right for you.

Maxi dresses are the effortless option that’s perfect if you love flowy, long-line silhouettes.

Mini dresses, on the other hand, bring a playful energy without losing the formal essence you need for your big day.

Whether you love the dreamy design of a maxi dress or prefer the lively vibe of a mini, the goal is to keep it elevated, comfortable, and as you as possible!

One thing to keep in mind though - if you choose a maxi or midi dress, it will be visible at the bottom of your grad gown. This still looks super cute, and doesn’t take away from the look. But, if your preference is to have no dress showing at all, opt for a mini!

Find a few of our current fave styles below that tick all the grad day boxes.

woman wearing white mini graduation dress

Alyn Halter Mini Dress White

woman wearing white maxi graduation dress

Brightwell Maxi Dress White

SHOP GRADUATION DRESSES >

White Graduation Dresses

The epitome of a graduation outfit, white dresses are by far the most popular style for this occasion. Timeless, versatile and easy to style, a white graduation dress is the obvious choice for your big day.

Not only are these designs perfect for the grad ceremony and the after party, but you’ll have endless opportunities to wear them again and again. Birthdays, brunches, date nights - you’ll be looking for any excuse to rewear your iconic look.

We’ve included a few best-selling looks, with different necklines and silhouettes. Square, plunge and strapless designs are a current fave for this occasion. While all of these necklines are super flattering, if you already know which cut you’ll love the most, go with that!

Remember, you’ll be looking back on these pieces for years to come, so make sure you choose a style that feels authentically you.

Accessories For Graduation

Add that extra touch to your graduation look with some staple accessories. This is the perfect opportunity to make your look just that little bit more formal.

Lean towards statement jewelry that compliments your outfit. Adding some gold chunky earrings with a dainty necklace and rings is an easy way to take your look to the next level.

We’re currently obsessed with flower-shaped accessories (we’ve put our current faves below!).

Shoes For Graduation

Ready to step into your grad era? A cute pair of heels is perfect for this event.

Before sealing the deal with your new shoes, think about where your ceremony is being held. Is it on a flat stage, on grass or concrete? If you’re unsure, playing it safe with a low block heel is your best bet (because tripping on stage is not the vibe).

If heels aren't your thing, don’t let this stop you! A low kitten heel in a versatile neutral shade will look gorg’ with any outfit.

FAQs

Why Do People Wear White To Graduation

White is a popular choice for graduation ceremonies for a few reasons! It represents new beginnings as you step forward from this major milestone, plus, it looks super gorg in photos with your gown.

While this is a popular tradition, you might not need to wear white to your graduation if it’s not your thing. Check with your college and see if they have a specific dress code.

If any color is on the cards, check out our graduation dress collection for more outfit inspo!

Time to take the stage! We can’t wait to see how you style your graduation look. Good luck and congrats!

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