What to Wear to Graduation & Maybe a Wedding Too.

Finding the Perfect Graduation Dress (That You’ll Actually Want to Wear Again)

Bard College Graduation 2018

In 2018, I graduated from Bard College wearing a yellow—maybe even butter yellow—linen dress and a pair of brown tie-up strappy heels I found on Poshmark. That was the first and last time I ever wore those heels. Still, the outfit felt completely true to me, and I’d wear it again in a heartbeat. I think that’s the most important part of choosing a graduation dress. Unlike weddings or other formal events where you’re often dressing to meet a couple’s wishes or a set dress code, graduation is your day.

For a college graduation, linens and cottons feel perfectly appropriate, but for law school (and graduate school), I’m leaning toward something with a little more structure—maybe a richer fabric. That said, I’ve definitely been eyeing a few silks and chiffons.

My two top contenders right now are:

Cult Gaia

Proenza Schouler

When it comes to picking a graduation outfit, I think the most important things to keep in mind are:

1. It will likely be warm, so consider going sleeveless or choosing a breathable fabric.

2. It should fit comfortably under your robes.

3. Ideally, it’s something you’d actually want to wear again.

No matter what you’re graduating from, it’s a special occasion to celebrate your hard work and get dressed up. While I’m still undecided about my own law school graduation look, I figured I’d put the hours I’ve spent scouring the internet to good use and create a resource for anyone else in the same boat. There’s also a lot of overlap between wedding guest dresses and graduation dresses—so with any luck, you might find something that works for both.

1. VRG Girl ($150)

2. Badgley Mischka ($440)

3. Banana Republic ($300)

4. Mango ($99)

5. Anthropologie ($188)

6. St. Agni ($569)

7. Mango ($99)

8. Anthropologie ($178)

9. Sister Jane ($218)

10. English Factory ($110)

11. Veronica Beard ($448)

12. & Other Stories ($178)

1. Bec + Bridge ($280)

2. Damson Madder ($205)

3. Siempre Michelle ($198)

4. Mango ($49)

5. Modern Citizen ($94)

6. Mango ($129)

7. Damson Madder ($165)

8. Reformation ($278)

9. Reformation ($298)

10. Vrg Girl ($139)

11. Rixo ($415)

12. Mango ($350)

13. Damson Madder ($112)

14. Maje ($445)1

1. Argent Pants ($325) Jacket ($495)

2. Zara Top ($50) Pants ($50)

3. Ann Taylor ($169)

4. MM Lafleur Jacket ($365) Pants ($325)

5. Zara ($50)

6. Rixo Skirt ($280) Top ($22)

7. Bando ($250)

8. Argent Trousers ($295) Top ($250)

9. Reformation ($278)

10. Favorite Daughter ($368)

11. Ann Taylor Skirt ($65) Top ($95)

12. Mango Skirt ($99) Top ($99)

13. Theory Jacket ($395) Pants ($325)

14. Argent ($450)