Finding the greatest graduation dresses to make you feel and look your best is the perfect way to celebrate many years of dedication and late hours studying for tests. However, picking the ideal spring dress style for your final academic celebration might be more stressful than necessary because there are so many stylish options available, including jumpsuits, midi dresses, patterned dresses, and bold, monochromatic styles. We sought advice from experts to determine the best way to ensure a smooth process.
How to choose the perfect graduation dress
There are a few general rules to remember when it comes to dress code. According to fashion expert and brand manager at Azazie Keily Hernandez, “Traditionally, the graduation dress code is usually semi-formal or formal,” albeit this will primarily rely on the school you attend and possibly the venue management has chosen for the celebration. Hernandez advises you to dress appropriately for the weather, even if you may have discovered your ideal minidress in an exquisitely fashionable tiered silhouette. “For warmer weather, opt for lighter fabrics and colours and shorter lengths,” Hernandez recommends. Choose sleeveless dresses or jumpsuits during the cooler months.
Although trends are definitely something to consider (as head of design at White Fox Laura Thomson notes, plenty of vibrant colours and striking prints that make a statement are fashionable), your comfort level should always come first. “Always pick a dress that makes you feel good about yourself,” advises Windsor fashion guru Catherine Seaton. “You want to feel good when you walk across the stage because you’ll be wearing it for a long time and in front of a big crowd.” She advises recent high school graduates to pay close attention to any dress code regulations specific to their school, particularly with regard to hem length.
Hernandez says that even while it’s entirely up to you, you don’t have to feel restricted to wearing your school colours or matching your cap and gown. Julie DuRocher, the design director of Jovani, suggests matching with your friends if you feel compelled to honour your school, or you can subtly incorporate your school’s colours into your accessories or other details (school-themed mani anyone?). “Choosing a dress that exudes confidence and commemorates your achievements should be the main priority,” advises DuRocher.
Choosing a colour that not only complements your skin but also looks good in photos is something DuRocher advises doing, whether you go for the tried-and-true simple black or white look or go for striking prints. In order to make investing in your ideal grad dress more affordable, Seaton also advises choosing a colour or print that you truly adore and intend to wear again. White dresses are a clear and simple choice for a faultless look, according to Thomson, if you do intend to go for a twinning look with your school colours.
What shoes to pair with your graduation dress
Without the appropriate shoes, the graduation ensemble isn’t quite complete. Hernandez advises, “just be aware of how much standing and walking the graduation dress programme will have,” even if it can be tempting to spend as much money on heels as your grades. “If you truly must wear the high heels, do so, but make sure you bring an additional pair of heels or even flats in case you have to do a lot more standing and walking than you had planned.” For maximum comfort and stability, she suggests wearing flat or wedge shoes if your graduation ceremony is being held on a grassy space, such as a football pitch. You can “choose ballet flats, which are having a major moment right now while offering both comfort and style,” according to Thomson.
Best white graduation dresses
J.Crew Textured Lady Sweater-Dress
This ultra-sophisticated jumper dress, which exudes First Lady vibes, is made far more intriguing than your typical LWD (little white dress) thanks to its textured knitted fabric and gold-toned hardware at the front and pockets.
Reformation Baela Linen graduation dress
With its breezy linen fabric that will keep you cool beneath your gown and its seductive off-the-shoulder neckline that will keep it trendy and celebratory, this airy beauty is a daring style you’ll be excited to wear both on and off the stage.
Pretty Little Thing White Crinkle Cup Tiered-Skirt Skater Dress
With puff sleeves that balance off the small form, this breezy and lightweight skater dress will make you look like the cutest little thing. The tiered skirt’s crinkled material, which hides wrinkles, is ideal for a full day of racing around for pictures and sitting elegantly at the ceremony.
Seta T Swing Wrap Dress
While any of the colours of this distinctive swing wrap dress will look amazing on you as you walk across the stage, the white version will go better with every graduation outfit the class of 2022 has to wear and will also better hide any possible sweat stains.
Best print graduation dresses
Melloday Geo Mock Neck Maxi Dress
You will definitely stand out from the group of other students whether you choose to wear the dress with the orange or taupe magenta design. The high mock neck adds more covering while the tight waistband produces a great silhouette.
Rumer Maya Maxi Dress
This tank dress is sufficiently modest to be worn in front of all your lecturers while still feeling airy. Furthermore, for a clever flash of colour, you can’t go wrong with that striking, flowing greenery pattern.
Lulus So Stunning Floral Jacquard Puff-Sleeve Minidress
The opulent, Baroque-inspired jacquard fabric of this puff-sleeve minidress is exquisite, and it has a soft metallic sheen that complements your natural brightness. Adding non-slip strips to your sleeves ensures they stay in place all day.
Petal & Pup Posse Floral Lace-Up Back Maxi Dress
This geometric beauty offers a modern and fresh interpretation of a traditional motif, far from your grandmother’s typical flower pattern. It has a distinctive back tie, a cowl neck suitable for your graduation dress day glamour shot, and almost every colour under the sun.
Best bold color graduation dresses
Hill House Home The Lace Ribbon Ellie Nap Dress
Avoid sleeping in nap dresses: Although they are cosy enough for slumber, they also appear super stylish when peeking out from under your robe. This charming alternative with a floral lace pattern is fully lined, so you won’t need to wear it with a bodysuit or underskirt like its well-liked sibling without a ribbon.
Banana Republic Stretch-Cotton Poplin Maxi Dress
This maxi dress’s Pink Iris and Clean Line Green hues add a whimsical touch to an otherwise polished silhouette. You’ll adore its high crew neck, side pockets for plenty of convenience, and crossover design at the waist. To suit even more heights and heel choices, it is available in both standard and tall sizing.
ASOS Design Pleated Bodice Midi Dress
Though sunny yellow is quite fashionable right now, if you’d rather go in a different way, this stunning pleated dress with a tie-back design looks equally amazing in coral and sage green.
Dress The Population Tiffany One-Shoulder Midi Dress
The orange colour of this figure-hugging dress is striking and lovely, and it begs to be accessorised with a cap and gown. It has an asymmetrical one-shoulder neckline that showcases two swaths of drapey fabric.
Best midi graduation dresses
Aritzia Wilfred Opera Dress
It’s evident from this ruffled fit-and-flare chiffon dress that statement pieces don’t always need to have loud designs. When your name is called, just choosing unusual textures and cuts will go a long way towards earning a standing ovation.
Merokeety Cap-Sleeve Midi Dress
A midi dress with a sophisticated mock neck and cap sleeves is the ideal combination for your gown and cap. Its midi length, which hits above the ankle, guarantees that your shoes are on full display, and the ruched detail above the slit gives it that trendy Y2K look.
ZZV Wrap Ruffle Dress
This grad-friendly dress offers ventilation and visual appeal with its high-low hem. The most elegant method to provide coverage is with ruffled sleeves, and the addition of a little elastic spandex makes it comfortable enough to wear all day.
Zara Tailored Waist Midi Dress
This fitted midi dress has a CEO air about it thanks to the shoulder pads and traditional round neck, which will help you visualise your ideal career once you graduate.
Best graduation jumpsuits
Ivy City Co. Colette Jumpsuit
This pretty yet professional jumpsuit is the ideal way to welcome in a new chapter of adulthood. Its crisp white colour goes well with any kind of cap and gown your school has to offer, and its elegant lace details at the sleeve and back allow for much-needed ventilation.
Hutch The Mabel Square-Neck Wide-Leg Jumpsuit
Wear this fierce jumpsuit to turn heads in the fashion department and make your graduation dress red. Its broad legs will feel wonderfully light and comfy beneath your gown, and the pockets are the ideal spot to stow your phone (on Aeroplane or Do Not Disturb, of course).
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Giselle Pleated Jumpsuit
With a satin pleated jumpsuit with such a distinctive texture, you may skip the busy designs and make the graduation dress stage your runway. It looks like a party in the back thanks to the tie-back feature, which will feel cool beneath your gown. If the plunging neckline isn’t to your liking, a discrete safety pin can be used to secure it.
Banana Republic Luna Jumpsuit
Pockets, in a word. Because this lined crepe jumpsuit is so simple, you may go overboard with bold shoes, bangles, and earrings. Cinch it at the waist with a belt or keep it appearing as casual as you are and you’re guaranteed to be the most comfortable of your classmates all ceremony long.
