When the outfit du jour for every senior is an unflattering polyester gown, a mortarboard, and a tassel, “graduation day fashion” may seem like an oxymoron. But just because you’re wearing commencement regalia doesn’t mean you can’t show off your personal style with your outfit underneath!
However, don’t just put on your most fabulous dress and a pair of stilettos and call it a day. Between the weather (if you’re graduating outdoors) and your post-ceremony plans, there are a few factors to consider before you pick out your commencement day outfit. We’ve laid out 10 steps to ensure you look fabulous on graduation day.
1. Know how many outfits you’ll need.
Cap and gown? Check. Outfit for underneath? Check (after you get through this list!). Outfit number two, three, or possibly four? Wait… what?
Depending on your school, you may need to get more than one outfit ready for graduation weekend. “My university had separate graduations for my department and for the university as a whole, and they were on different days, so I needed different dresses,” says Elyssa Goodman, a Carnegie Mellon University ’10 grad. “If you’re a part of any honor societies, too, there may be separate senior ceremonies you’ll need to be differently attired for, as well.” Make an inventory of the different ceremonies and events you’ll be attending for graduation and how to appropriately dress for each, so you won’t have to wear the same (possibly sweaty) dress three days in a row.
2. Unpack and iron your gown in advance.
Before we get to the “style” part of this commencement fashion checklist, let’s start with the actual cap and gown (after all, it is the main part of your outfit!). To make sure your gown will look nice at graduation, iron it and hang it up in your closet a few days before the ceremony. “Some people had creases when they walked across the stage because they took it out of the package that morning, oops!” says Colie Lumbreras, a University of Ohio ’11 graduate.
3. Check to see if your gown will bleed.
Before you spend all your graduation gift money splurging on a fabulous dress, make sure it won’t be ruined when you put your gown over it! Some darker-colored gowns may bleed color if they get wet, so if rain (or sweat) is in the forecast, you may want to wear a dark dress underneath your gown or throw on a cheaper cardigan to protect your outfit.
4. Buy two dresses for graduation day.
If your commencement is outside, you’ve got a lot more to consider than just which pair of shoes makes your calves look the best. Wearing a long graduation gown outside in the heat means you’ll probably be a little gross by the time the ceremony is over. Elon University ’10 graduate Rachel Cieri advises buying two graduation day dresses. “If it’s hot or humid that day, you’ll sweat through the first dress,” she says. “But a second dress for the parties and such afterward.”
5. Dress for what you’ll be doing afterwards.
If two graduation dresses aren’t going to fit in your budget or you won’t have time to change in between the ceremony and lunch with your family, keep your post-commencement activities in mind when you plan out your outfit. “Usually you will need to be dressed comfortably enough that you won’t be miserable during the ceremony, which can be very long. But you’ll probably be going straight to lunch with your family or a big party afterward, so you’ll want to be camera-ready,” says stylist Elizabeth Kamm. If your family is planning on going to a nice restaurant for lunch, keep it more formal under your gown. If a friend’s party is in your plans, stick with a simple, casual sundress.
6. Go for a classic, “grown-up” style.
Graduation marks your exit from college life and your entrance into the real world. What better event to show off a more adult style? “Show your parents you have really grown up over the past four years, even when it comes to your look and style,” says fashion consultant Colin T. McDonald. Keep it sophisticated with a dress in a timeless shape. “An A-line in a classic color or bold print will do the trick,” he says. “If you’re not a dress type of gal, a great alternative is a simple classic button-down and pleated maxi skirt or cotton or linen tailored trousers.”
ModCloth Beach Boutique dress, $57.99 at modcloth.com.
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7. Avoid heavy fabrics.
Outdoor graduations can make for some gorgeous photo ops, but if your outfit combined with the heat and humidity makes you sweat throughout the ceremony, you may find yourself camera-shy afterwards. Keep your outfit light and breathable by choosing a short dress or skirt in a lightweight fabric such as cotton or linen.
ModCloth Offering Energy Dress, $49.99 at modcloth.com.
8. Wear accessories that pop.
The best way to stand out from all the other cap-and-gown-clad graduates? Wear some accessories that show off your personal style! “A great tip to stand out on your special day is to pop your look and gown with some great accessories like a fun bag, shiny heels, or (a) bold neon necklace,” says McDonald. “This will ensure you shine your brightest both in and out of the gown.”
J.Crew Neon Rose Crystal Necklace, $128 at jcrew.com.
BCBG Max Azria Senna Sandal, $225 at bcbg.com.
9. Bring a clutch or a wristlet.
If you’re like me, your enormous, overflowing purse has been compared to Mary Poppins’ bag more than once. But for graduation, you won’t want to carry around a huge purse—you really just need your phone (that built-in camera will come in handy) and a few other necessities. “I would suggest a clutch or a wristlet, just something small that will not feel like you’re lugging around and is comfortable to carry,” says Kamm.
Kamm advises to coordinate your clutch with what you’re wearing under your gown, but keep it simple. “Don’t use an evening clutch (beaded, crystals, satin, metallic, etc.) because it will look so out of place,” she says. “Instead, look for one with a whimsical pattern that coordinates with the color of your gown as best as possible so it blends in rather than stands out.”
Tory Burch Sevilla Clutch, $195 at toryburch.com.
10. Choose platforms over pumps if you’ll be outside.
Leaving your graduation knowing that you’ve made it through four years of college is a great feeling… unless your heels get ruined as they sink into the grass during your confident exit. “You may want to try a wedge instead, or a dressy flat sandal,” Kamm suggests. These T-strap wedges will ensure that you stand out from the crowd without sinking into the ground.
Miss Zelda T-strap Colorblock Wedges, $49.99 at shopruche.com.
11. Bring flip-flops or flats with you.
Let’s face it: graduation is going to be a long day. Between the pre-graduation festivities, the ceremony itself, the countless photos taken afterwards, and the parties or family outings that follow, you’re going to be begging for an Advil if you don high heels the whole day. The solution? Bring flat shoes to change into after or wear when you’re not being photographed. “I wore flip flops during the ceremony, which I left under my chair when I had to head up to the stage to walk — this meant I wasn’t destroying my Stuart Weitzman wedges (since many of us find graduation a great excuse to pay a fortune for new heels!) and that I was wearing footwear that could handle both the rain and the heat,” says Alice Chen, a 2012 Emory graduate.
12. Bring sunscreen if you’re outdoors.
Nobody wants to smell like sunscreen on their big day, but you know what’s worse than eau de SPF 35? Looking like a lobster in your post-ceremony photos. “Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!” advises Chen. “I have so many friends who were completely fried (hello, weird tan lines!) in the sun.” Be sure to pack some lightweight, non-greasy skin protection, such as Peter Thomas Roth’s Uber-Dry Sunscreen, $26 at Sephora.
With so many factors to consider, picking out the perfect commencement outfit can seem stressful. But with HC’s tips, you’re sure to find a look that’s both fabulous and ceremony-ready. Now all that’s left is to figure out how to make that mortarboard stay put on your head (bobby pins and hairspray, anyone?). Congratulations, grad!