Here's What To Wear To Graduation This Year (For Grads + Guests)

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Graduating soon? Congrats! Whether you’re a graduate or have been invited to a party, this guide on what to wear to graduation will serve you well for your celebrations/

Graduation is a special occasion of immense excitement and accomplishment. It’s the end of what has been an incredible journey, culminating in what is hopefully just the first chapter of your life as a graduate! Graduating from high school or college means that you’ve done something that many people never accomplish, so it’s important to celebrate with those who love you. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic as we see the graduates from our own school year walking proudly across the stage, clad in their graduation gown or their academic regalia with their parents watching from the audience!

One way to celebrate is by throwing a graduation party for yourself or attending one thrown by someone else. Graduation season is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with graduation parties? Whether you are attending the graduation ceremony or hosting the event, it’s important to know what to wear. We have broken down what outfit looks best for girls and guys so that you can be ready for any type of celebration!

When choosing what to wear, there are plenty of considerations that need to be taken into account – not only what other guests will be wearing but also what type of event it is. Style guides like this one can help you decide what clothes would best suit your needs for any occasion! Whether you’re celebrating your graduation or someone else’s, it’s important that you dress appropriately for the occasion.

In this style guide, we will discuss what outfits are appropriate for girls and guys at graduation, so you can look your best while posing for graduation photos on this special day!

What To Wear To Graduation (For Women)

1. Dresses

Get the dress on Lulus

Obviously the most popular option for graduation outfit ideas, you really can’t go wrong with a pretty dress especially if it’s warm out on an outdoor graduation ceremony. White dresses tend to be especially popular around graduation and they look truly amazing under a gown and cap.

If this sounds good to you, you’ll enjoy our roundup post about the 40 Most Gorgeous White Graduation Dresses with direct links to shop all the looks.

With this said, even though white graduation dresses are the most popular, it doesn’t mean that you have to wear white. It’s not a rule by any means! There are plenty of pretty dresses that will look equally wonderful.

If you’re a little bit on the modest side, a sheath dress would be fine so you can be covered up while still showing off your curves. However, if you want to go all out in your dress, show up in a cute sequined dress to add some sparkle to your overall look. Hey, you’re the star of the show – it’s only fitting that you look like one, especially on one of the most important days of your life!

You can also go for a wrap dress, a long dress, or a lace dress – as long as it fits the dress code. In college graduations, outfits are a little bit on the skimpier side (college girls love their outfits!) while high school graduations are a little more modest.

You can also go for bright colors like yellow or lilac, or more solid colors like blue or red. Take note that some schools or universities might require their graduates to wear their respective school colors.

At the end of this post, we’re sharing more of our favorite graduation dresses (and other outfit ideas) that you can shop straight away.

2. Jumpsuits

Get this jumpsuit on Lulus

Jumpsuits have also become a popular choice in recent years. They are elegant and they add a touch of sophistication to your graduation attire. Think of CEOs and lady bosses. A dressy jumpsuit is the best outfit if you want to embody that #boss aura as you cross the stage to get your diploma.

Again, white jumpsuits tend to be the most popular, but don’t feel like you need to pick white if

3. Trouser Suits

Get this suit on Hello Molly

Now this one is the ultimate girl boss look. It’s almost as if you’re ready to go to your penthouse office on your new job right after getting off the graduation stage. It’s the perfect choice of outfit to celebrate after years of hard work (and many more to come). A trouser suit will make you look so well-put-together, it’ll make the teachers second-guess if they put you up for Latin honors.

4. Pencil Skirt & Blouse

Get this skirt on Shein

If you like doing mix-and-match options for your graduation outfit, you can pair a cute pencil skirt with a dressy or a cute top. This is a good option if you’re not into dresses or jumpsuits, but you still want to make a good impression.

5. Heels

Get these heeled sandals on Nordstrom

Of course, how could we forget about high heels? Remember that this is a day-long affair (and you will likely still be wearing it at night), so it’s important to choose a comfortable pair of heels.

We personally recommend block heels for comfort and balance support that you can wear for a long time. The Paily Slide Sandals from Dolce Vita (featured above) are just perfect for these types of occasions.

If you want medium-height heels, you can also go for shoes with a 2-inch block heel.

Pst – if you absolutely loathe heels, you can wear any shoe you feel comfortable in, just as long as it’s a smart style.

What To Wear To Graduation (For Men)

1. Suit & Tie

Get the look at J.Crew: Slim Fit Suit Jacket | Pants

When in doubt, wear a suit. A suit with matching dress pants is almost always the most preferred option for guys on their big day. It’s sleek and formal, and you won’t have to stress out about your look too much.

Depending on the formality of the event, you can either go for a black-tie suit, a semi-formal suit, business casual suit, or even drop the suit altogether and go for a blazer instead. We recommend wearing a tie to really bring the look together.

For a simple outfit, a button-down shirt paired with dress pants and black dress shoes are also a good option, especially if you’ll be wearing a gown that covers most of your outfit.

2. Smart Shoes

Get these shoes at J.Crew

Graduations are a formal event, so you’ll want to wear a pair of nice Oxford-type shoes, or loafers. As these shoes are made of leather, make sure to break them in before your big day, so that you can avoid any discomfort.

21 More Graduation Outfits For Women

Now, let’s jump back into some of the best graduation outfits for women that are on the market right now! To shop, simply click on the image or the link below it. All of these are affordable, with most dresses and other outfits costing under $100.

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this dress on Shein

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this jumpsuit on Lulus

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this dress on Shein

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this dress on Shein

Get this romper on Lulus

Get this dress on Shein

Get this jumpsuit on Lulus

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this skirt on Shein

Get this romper on Lulus

Get this dress on Hello Molly

Get this skirt on Shein

Get this dress on Hello Molly

We hope you learnt a thing or two from this guide about what to wear to graduation! If you’re graduating any time soon, congratulations! Below, you’ll find some more grad ideas that might be useful for you around this time.