Best Graduation Dresses in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the perfect dress for graduation? ›

White Lace Dress

A white dress is a popular pick for graduations.

Wear White or Light colored outfits for a classic look

Your graduation sash and robes will typically be much darker or feature intense colors – it helps to have a lighter base to contrast and highlight the school colors that you might also be wearing on top.

Men generally wear dark trousers and a dress shirt and tie under their gowns. Women usually wear a lightweight dress or a blouse and a skirt that is shorter than the gown so it does not hang below the robe.

It's a ceremonial event and formal dress is normally customary. Jeans, T-shirts, trainers and other casual clothes are not considered appropriate and some universities might not let you into your graduation ceremony wearing them.

Primarily black, white, or grey to create a timeless and elegant look. These colours also tend to coordinate well with most graduation gown colours. Most graduation gowns will come in black, or black with coloured streaks referring to individual faculties.

The dress code for a college graduation ceremony is typically formal. For men, this means wearing a suit or dress pants with a button-down shirt and a tie. For women, a dress or a skirt and blouse combination are both acceptable choices. Some institutions may have rules about dress length or colour restrictions.

You can choose what length you're comfortable with, but remember, the graduate gowns are usually mid-calf to ankle length, depending on your height. Here's my tip: keep the length of your dress or skirt shorter than your gown length. A hemline hanging out your gown isn't a great look.

Go Extra With A Maxi Dress

They're versatile enough that you can wear them anywhere from the ceremony to co*cktail hour, and they won't get in your way when you're trying to make an impression on potential employers or grad school admissions committees.

Wearing black to a graduation ceremony is generally acceptable and considered a classic choice. It's a versatile color that exudes elegance and sophistication. However, it's important to consider the dress code or guidelines provided by your educational institution for graduation ceremonies.

A good rule-of-thumb when deciding what to wear to a child's graduation is to aim for what will look nice while also satisfying comfort and not overshadowing the graduate. A nice dress, slacks, or a suit will meet any unofficial dress codes.

Why do girls wear white dresses for graduation? ›

White graduation dresses can be traced back to an educational milestone in the 19th century. They were adopted as a symbol of purity and new beginnings for young women completing their studies. Today, they continue to convey a sense of youthful innocence and commencement into adulthood.

College graduation calls for an outfit more formal than jeans but not as dressy as a co*cktail dress you might wear to a wedding. Think business to semi-formal. Wear something similar to what you would wear to a respected workplace, special church service, or an important meeting.

Be respectful: Commencement is both a joyous and solemn event. Please express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speaker and enjoying the ceremony. Use of air horns, yelling, or stomping are disruptive.

Graduates should wear smart, neat and professional attire (formal evening wear is typically too dressy). Footwear should be smart but comfortable, as you will need to be able to walk across the stage and stand for short periods.

A good rule of thumb for an appropriate outfit is something you would normally wear to work or in business. Your outfit should be smart, neat, and polished. Think business casual or professional, and you will be on the right track.

No, you don't have to. I wore pants for my high school graduation and a dress for my college graduation. I liked both outfits very much and I wasn't harassed by anyone for either. Since you are wearing a Graduation Gown - it really doesn't matter what you wear underneath.