Graduation denotes the end of an era as well as an important milestone in every growing young adult’s life. It is a day of accomplishment, reflection, and celebration.
Choosing the perfect outfit is essential as you bid farewell to an adventurous (and hopefully educational) period of your life and gear up to start a new one. It’s a golden opportunity to showcase your personal style on such a special day, and it’ll probably live on forever in your graduation pictures (so like, no pressure).
Don’t worry though, we have the perfect list of suggestions for your graduation to make sure you get those grad-day outfit posts in.
Classic Chic
We’ll start with the most obvious choice, a classic chic style. You can rarely ever go wrong with this for formal occasions, at the risk of looking like every other graduate of course (it’s classic for a reason). So, if you want to play it safe and still look chic and lovely on grad day, this is perfect for you. Opt for a tailored knee-length dress in solid colors, like navy, black, or white. Finish off the outfit with pointed-toe heels or dressy flats and minimal accessories.
Floral Elegance
In honor of spring and the latest trends, we can’t not include florals in this rec list, it’s basically a must. Get the ultimate floral grad-look with a knee-length midi floral dress in soft pastel shades or vibrant colors. Pair it with a lightweight cardigan or denim jacket for a casual yet stylish touch. Add wedges or block heels and accessorize with delicate jewelry for a feminine vibe.
Jumpsuit Sophistication
Another classic during the graduation festivities is the jumpsuit. Effortlessly stylish, the jumpsuit asks for no work and looks especially fab with a graduation gown. It’s easy to move around in and looks formal and elegant, very on par with the occasion as well. Select a jumpsuit in a flattering silhouette and a solid color, additional go for wide legged or tapered style (depending on your preferences). Pair with statement heels or sandals and accessorize with a statement belt and sleek jewelry for the ultimate look.
Tailored Separates
If you’re thinking of going for a more formal look beholden with precision, take a page out of Jill Sanders’ book and go for tailored garments. Not only will this give you a very sharp look, but will also definitely elevate your style. Pick a high-waisted pant with a blouse or a dressy top in a complimentary color and add a blazer or structured jacket to the combo. Top off the outfit with pointed-toe flats or low-block heels and further accessorize with statement earrings.
Stylish Midi Skirt
We can never really forget the midi skirt when it comes to a college function, can we? It just won’t do. Whether it be the awkward presentation or your farewell, midi skirts fare well on every formal occasion. It has yet to fail us when it comes to these, we know. If you’re feeling a bit lost with all the different outfits, you can always come back to the midi skirt, but make it different. Pick one in a fun pattern or a solid color rather than going for the age-old black or navy blue and pair it with a tucked in blouse or a fitted top. Add a cropped jacket or a cardigan for layering options. Top off the look with some strappy heels (just some normal heels will do) or ankle boots and further accessorize with a statement necklace or a sleek watch for a sophisticated look.
Polished Pantsuit
Another go-to for every businesswoman? A pantsuit. Easy enough to acquire but a challenging one when it comes to successful styling since most of the ‘styling’ part relies on accessories. Opt for a pantsuit in a neutral tone like black, navy, or gray. Pair with a crisp white button-down shirt or a silk blouse. Add heels or loafers and accessorize with a statement necklace or a sleek watch for a sophisticated look.
Timeless Wrap Dress
A wrap dress is the perfect solution if you want an effortlessly classic look. If chosen correctly, a wrap dress will go splendidly with your graduation gown (maybe even make it look better, if you’re one of the unfortunate souls who got saddled with unsavory gowns). Choose a classic wrap dress in a flattering silhouette. Opt for a solid color or a subtle pattern that suits your style. Go ahead and top it off with black heels and minimalistic jewelry for an elegant and timeless outfit.
Stylish Maxi Dress
The 90s are making a very bold comeback thanks to the fashion cycle so any and all outfits you see and ogle at in the streets? Probably already done and dusted in the 90s. One such major comeback is the rise of the maxi dress. It’s everywhere and none of us can escape it. Which also means, it’s the perfect candidate for the grad look. So, get yourself a boho-inspired flowing maxi dress in a vibrant color or a bold print and pair it with flat sandals or wedges and accessorize with a wide-brimmed hat and layered necklaces for a trendy and relaxed vibe.
Chic Blouse and Skirt Combo
A blouse and skirt combo is the best and easiest. Pick up a stylish blouse with a midi or knee-length skirt in a complementary color or pattern. Tuck in the blouse and add a belt to define the waist and finally top off the look with heels or flats. Accessorize further with delicate jewelry for a feminine and laid-back outfit (but not too laid back, of course).
Statement Jumpsuit
We’ve definitely left the best for the last, which is a statement jumpsuit. It’s in the name and so, what better to go out of Uni than with a statement? Even if it is in the outfit department, a win is a win. Opt for a jumpsuit with unique details like ruffles, cut-outs, or an interesting neckline. Look out for colors that suit your skin tone and personal style. Pair with strappy heels or block heels and accessorize with statement earrings or a bold clutch for a fashion-forward and memorable look.
