Graduation is one of the biggest days for any university student and their family, as it’s a chance to celebrate the end of an era and the start of a new chapter. After spending so much time studying, it’s time to finally look back at all you’ve accomplished - and why not celebrate in style with a gorgeous graduation dress.
If you’re searching for the perfect dress to wear on your graduation, then first of all, congratulations! Now let’s get shopping. Get inspired with our guide to the best dresses for graduation below, whether you’re the graduate or the guest there to celebrate their achievements, we’ve got a wide variety of dresses made for the big day here at DLSB.
What to wear for graduation
Deciding on the perfect dress to wear for graduation can be difficult, but what is most important to remember is that you should pick a dress that you feel great in - after all, this is a celebration of you! Choose a dress that is comfortable, flattering and showcases your personality, whether that be through a bold, abstract print or a simple, colourful number. You may also want to pick a dress that will stand out against the crowd and complement your graduation robes.
What length should a graduation dress be?
The style and length of dress for a graduation is completely a personal choice. Whether you prefer a long sleeve, mini dress or a floaty, midi dress, it’s important to choose a dress that you will feel comfortable and confident in all day long, from walking across the stage at the ceremony to celebrating with your friends and family afterwards.
Printed and floral graduation dresses
Typically, the graduation robes you are given will be black, although some may have different coloured silks draped over to signify the specific Bachelor or Master that you’re graduating in. Therefore, if you’re looking to brighten up your look, then you may wish to opt for a colourful printed or floral graduation dress to stand out against the black robe.
If you're creative or you simply love a bold pattern, then perhaps opt for an abstract, printed midi dress to show off your personality and your eye for attention-to-detail. A bold, printed dress that features a varied selection of colours gives you the freedom to match the colour of your accessories to whatever element you wish. Whether you prefer a classic two-tone contrasting print, or an ultra-bright multi-coloured pattern, this style of dress will be sure to turn heads as you strut across that graduation stage.
Shop all maxi dresses, midi dresses and mini dresses.
If abstract isn’t quite your style, but you still love a pattern, then why not go for a classic multi-coloured floral print? A quintessential floral print is a must-have in any girl’s occasion wardrobe, especially when it comes in a timeless shirt-dress style, that offers the perfect blend of sophistication and creativity.
Alternatively, subtle animal prints are also a great way to incorporate patterns into your graduation look. Choose an animal print in a gorgeous satin material, in your favourite colour and pair with simple golden accessories to keep the dress as the centrepiece of your look.
Simple mini and midi graduation dresses
Graduation is a celebration of you! And, if you’re the type of person who loves to keep it simple yet effortlessly stylish, then choosing a block-colour dress is the way to go. From the style to the colour and accessories, a simple-yet-powerful graduation should radiate your vibe and by adding the perfect accessories you can achieve the ultimate, sleek graduation look.
Loose-fitting, floaty dresses in on-trend block colours are a great way to achieve a classy look whilst also staying comfortable throughout the day. A batwing style dress, in both midi and mini styles, offers a flattering shape on any body type and is a timeless addition to your occasion-wear wardrobe. Choose a batwing-style dress in a satin or flowing, chiffon material for a gorgeous, regal look and accessorise with classic gold jewellery and heels for an effortless graduation outfit.
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Remember, simple doesn’t have to mean boring. A simple dress in a bright colour gives you the option to accentuate the look with contrasting coloured accessories. For example, a hot-pink dress will not only glow under your graduation robe, but would also pair perfectly with contrasting green heels and matching bag for a fashion-forward look.
If you’re looking for a last minute graduation outfit that you know is a fail-safe option, then why not go for a signature little black dress? An LBD is timeless and can be worn in several different ways depending upon your personal style preferences. We recommend keeping it classic with a bold red lip and gold jewellery to finish off the look.
What to wear as a graduation guest
Attending a graduation means that you are one of the lucky people that get to see their loved one graduate, whether it’s your daughter, best friend or sister graduating, making sure you look the part for their important day is vital. It’s important to consider that graduation is an all-day event and you should choose a dress that you feel comfortable in so that you can focus on celebrating the graduation without worrying about your outfit.
A top tip is to start by choosing a dress silhouette that you know never fails to make you feel good, whether that’s a classic wrap dress, a statement midi or a floaty, floral mini dress. Once you’ve got your fail-safe dress style down, it’s time to think about colour and design. Have fun with it and go with a dress that is true to you.
Printed and floral graduation guest dresses
Graduation is an all-day celebration of achievements and a chance to show how proud you are of all the graduate’s hard work. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t feel special in your dress too. Choosing a patterned dress allows you to have fun with different colourways, whether you’re gravitating towards a floral or a more abstract print, remember to have fun with your look!
An abstract printed midi dress that features a multitude of colours gives you the chance to get creative with your accessories - pick out one colour from the print and choose that to match your shoes and bag to. Alternatively, keep the accessories simple with a classic silver or gold heels and bag combo and opt for a bold lip colour as the complementing feature of the look.
Shop all midi dresses and mini dresses.
If a traditional floral pattern is more your vibe, then you can still have fun matching the colours of the flowers to your accessories. If you choose to go with a signature white and pink floral, then pair the dress with matching pink shoes and a clutch bag to suit the overall tone. Or, if you want to create a more sophisticated look, you could opt for gold or silver to add a hint of glam.
Don’t be afraid to be exuberant with design and patterns. Choose a bold pattern in a two-tone colour palette and mix and match the accessories. For example, a tiered patterned dress in a blue colourway pairs perfectly with Barbie-pink heels and a clutch bag for a vibrant graduation guest look. Remember to have fun with your look and choose items that make you feel empowered and confident so that you celebrate the day freely.
Simple mini and midi graduation guest dresses
Attending a graduation as a guest doesn’t require any particular dress code. However, it’s best to think classy and sophisticated when deciding on what to wear, as it is considered a formal occasion even if you’re the one attending rather than partaking. A great way to achieve this type of look is to choose a timeless silhouette and colourway for your dress.
You can never go wrong with a little black dress and graduation is no exception to this rule. A midi-length, pleated black dress in a floaty material is the perfect outfit if you’re looking for a subtle yet sophisticated option. Simply add your favourite golden accessories, including a dainty belt to give some definition to the look and add a classic red lip to complete a sophisticated graduation guest look.
Another option to create a flawless look that appears effortlessly cool - choose a midi-dress with a wrap-style and flattering leg split in a block colour of your choice and pair with matching coloured accessories - this creates a seamless outfit that you can wear time and time again without going out of style.
Shop all midi dresses and mini dresses.
If mini dresses are your preferred style, then a classic long-sleeved, off-white, skater style dress is perfect for an understated graduation guest outfit. Simply add your trusted pair of black heels and favourite clutch bag to complete the look. Or, if you’re searching for something with more detail, then a mini dress with a statement puff-sleeve is a great outfit option as it adds something different to your attire. When paired with a detailed belt and gold accessories, this style can make for an elevated graduation outfit that can be worn for any future occasion too.
Ready for graduation dolls?
Walking across the stage to collect your graduation certificate is a day to remember for years to come and what better way to do it than in style. Now that you’ve got inspiration for a variety of different graduation looks you can wear on the big day, it’s time to browse the full DLSB dresses collection to find the perfect outfit for you. Be sure to shop around our full website to find the perfect accessories and footwear to match your graduation day look too!