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What to wear to a graduation
Guests should dress daytime smart casual: a dress or tailored separates for women, chinos or trousers with a shirt and optional blazer for men. Graduates should pick something lightweight and short enough to hide under the gown. Everyone needs shoes they can stand and walk in for hours.
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The dress code, decoded
- Graduate, under the gown — A lightweight dress or shirt and trousers that won't overheat, and that looks good at the after-party.
- Guest, indoor ceremony — Smart casual: a dress or blouse and trousers; a shirt with chinos and an optional blazer.
- Guest, outdoor ceremony — Breathable fabrics, sun protection, and shoes that handle grass.
What women can wear
- A knee-length or midi dress in a light, breathable fabric photographs beautifully.
- Tailored trousers or a skirt with a blouse work for guests at any ceremony.
- Block heels, wedges, or dressy flats; stilettos sink into lawns.
- Graduates: keep the hemline shorter than the gown so it doesn't peek out unevenly.
What men can wear
- Chinos or light wool trousers with a button-down; add a blazer for indoor or formal ceremonies.
- A tie is optional for guests and often expected for graduates under the gown.
- Loafers, derbies, or clean leather sneakers depending on the formality of the school.
- Graduates: a lightweight shirt, since gowns get hot, and dark trousers that look sharp under the hem.
What to skip
- Heavy fabrics at outdoor summer ceremonies.
- Shoes you haven't broken in; there's a lot of standing.
- Anything that will clash with or poke out from under a graduation gown.
Season by season
- Spring and summer — Light colors and linen or cotton; bring sunglasses and a hat for outdoor ceremonies.
- Winter — Layers you can remove indoors, and a coat that works for photos.
Good to know
Questions
- What should I wear under my graduation gown?
- Something lightweight and breathable that is shorter than the gown, like a simple dress or a shirt with dark trousers. Gowns get warm.
- What should a guest wear to a graduation?
- Daytime smart casual: a dress or tailored separates for women, chinos or trousers with a shirt and optional blazer for men.
- Can I wear jeans to a graduation?
- For a relaxed ceremony, dark jeans dressed up with a blazer or blouse can work. For most ceremonies, trousers or a dress are a safer choice.
- What shoes should I wear to a graduation?
- Comfortable shoes you can stand in for hours, like block heels, loafers, or dressy flats. Avoid stilettos at outdoor ceremonies.
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