What is the appropriate graduation attire?

Your graduation attire will vary depending on your university's requirements. Typically, you will wear a graduation gown, a mortarboard or PhD bonnet, and a graduation hood or stole. Check your university's guidelines to ensure you have the correct attire for your specific graduation ceremony.

What are some graduation outfit ideas for women?

For women, consider wearing a midi or knee-length dress with heels or a knee-length skirt and a blouse in a light or pastel colour. Accessorise with simple jewellery like stud earrings and a bracelet. Remember to choose comfortable shoes and consider adding a cardigan or blazer if the weather is cool.

How can I accessorize my graduation outfit?

To accessorize your graduation outfit, consider adding simple jewellery like stud earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet. Choose comfortable and appropriate shoes, such as pumps or heels for women and dress shoes for men. A clutch or small tote can be a great accessory, along with a coordinating scarf if the weather is cool.

What are some graduation outfit ideas for men?

For men, consider wearing a semi-formal suit with a light-coloured dress shirt and coordinating tie. Alternatively, you can opt for a blazer and trousers with a dress shirt and tie. For a more relaxed look, pair a light-coloured dress shirt with neutral trousers and dress shoes. Don't forget to add accessories like a coordinating belt and tie.

What should I consider when choosing what to wear to a graduation ceremony?

Consider the weather, dress appropriately for the occasion, wear something comfortable, and avoid anything too distracting. If there is a specific dress code, make sure to follow it. When in doubt, it's better to err on the side of caution and dress more formally.

How can I ensure that I am dressed appropriately for a graduation ceremony?

To ensure you are dressed appropriately for a graduation ceremony, check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, choose an outfit that is comfortable to sit and stand in for an extended period, avoid wearing casual or revealing clothing, and follow any specific dress codes provided by the university.

February 09, 2023

What to Wear to a Graduation Ceremony

Graduation is a momentous occasion, marking the end of one chapter in your life and the beginning of another. Whether you are the graduate or a guest, it’s important to dress appropriately for the occasion. The attire for a graduation ceremony can range from formal to semi-formal, and it can be a challenge to figure out what to wear. In this article, we’ll explore the graduation attire, provide graduation outfit ideas for women and men, show you how to accessorize your graduation outfit, and give you tips on what to wear to your graduation ceremony.

The Graduation Attire

Your graduation attire obviously wouldn’t be complete without the star of the show, the graduation gown. Depending on your graduation your attire will vary so be sure to check the university page for your graduation requirements. In addition to a graduation gown (which is usually either a bachelor or master’s gown) you might also wear:

A mortarboard (sometimes called a trencher cap or graduation hat). This cap is usually made from black felt and features a flat. Square board with a satin tassel hanging down one side.
A PhD bonnet. These are normally reserved for doctoral graduates and feature a soft body made of velvet surrounded by a stiff oval brim.
A graduation hood or stole. Depending on the institution and faculty you may wear a colourful hood or stole. These come in different styles (the most common of which are Cambridge and Burgon) and a variety of different satin colours.

Graduation Outfit Ideas for Women

Graduation is a momentous occasion, and you want to look your best. But figuring out what to wear to a graduation ceremony can be a challenge. Whether you're a graduate or a guest, it's important to dress appropriately for the occasion. In this article, we’ll try to provide some graduation outfit ideas for women.

Dress and Heels

A classic and sophisticated option is to wear a midi or knee-length dress with heels. Choose a neutral colour such as black, navy, or beige and add a cardigan or blazer if the weather is cool.

Sleeveless or short-sleeved dress
Neutral colour: black, navy, or beige
Add a cardigan or blazer if the weather is cool
Comfortable heels or pumps

Skirt and Blouse

For a more casual look, choose a knee-length skirt and a blouse in a light or pastel colour. Accessorize with simple jewellery, such as stud earrings and a bracelet.

Knee-length skirt
Light or pastel colour blouse
Simple jewellery: stud earrings and a bracelet
Comfortable pumps or heels

Accessorizing Your Outfit

Accessorizing your graduation outfit is a great way to add a personal touch to your look. Here are some tips on how to accessorize your outfit:

Jewellery: Simple jewellery, such as stud earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet, can add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
Shoes: Choose shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the occasion. Opt for pumps or heels.
Bags: A clutch or small tote is an excellent accessory for a graduation ceremony. Choose a neutral colour that coordinates with your outfit.
Scarves: A scarf can be a great accessory for a graduation ceremony, especially if it is cool. Choose a scarf in a coordinating colour and tie it around your neck or drape it over your shoulders.

Graduation Outfit Ideas for Men

Graduation is a special occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style. Whether you're the graduate or a guest, it's important to dress appropriately for the occasion. If you're a man and you're looking for inspiration for your graduation outfit, look no further. Here are some great graduation outfit ideas for men that will help you look sharp and put-together on this special day.

Semi-Formal Suit

A semi-formal suit is a classic choice for a graduation ceremony. Choose a neutral colour such as black, navy, or grey, and pair it with a dress shirt in a light colour. Accessorize with a tie in a coordinating colour and a pair of dress shoes.

Blazer and Trousers

If you don't want to wear a full suit, consider a blazer and trousers in a neutral colour. Pair it with a dress shirt and tie, and finish the look with a pair of dress shoes.

Light Coloured Dress Shirt

For a more relaxed look, consider a light-coloured dress shirt, paired with trousers in a neutral colour. Accessorize with a pair of dress shoes and a belt in a coordinating colour.

Accessories

Accessories are an excellent way to personalize your graduation outfit. Consider the following:

Tie: Still a great choice but becoming less common as graduations become more relaxed. Choose a tie in a coordinating colour that complements your outfit.
Shoes: Dress shoes are a must for a graduation ceremony. Choose a pair that is both comfortable, stylish and clean.
Belt: A belt in a coordinating colour can help pull your outfit together.

Tips

Consider the weather: Make sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. If it is hot, opt for lightweight fabrics, and if it is cool, add a blazer to your outfit.
Dress appropriately: Make sure to dress appropriately for the occasion. A graduation ceremony is not the place to wear casual or athletic clothing.
Wear something you feel comfortable in: Graduation ceremonies can be long, so it's important to wear something you feel comfortable in. Choose an outfit that you can sit and stand in for an extended period.
Avoid anything too distracting: Graduation ceremonies are all about the graduates, so avoid anything that might be too distracting, such as loud patterns or bright colours.

In conclusion, a graduation ceremony is a special occasion that deserves to be celebrated in style. Choose a semi-formal outfit that is appropriate for the occasion, and accessorize with simple and stylish accessories. Consider the weather, dress appropriately, wear something you feel comfortable in, and avoid anything too distracting. With these tips in mind, you'll be sure to look sharp and put-together on this special day.

How to Accessorize Your Graduation Outfit

Accessorizing your graduation outfit is an excellent way to add a personal touch to your look. Here are some tips on how to accessorize your graduation outfit:

Jewellery: Simple jewellery, such as stud earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet, can add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
Shoes: Choose shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for the occasion. For women, opt for pumps or heels, and for men, choose dress shoes.
Bags: A clutch or small tote is an excellent accessory for a graduation ceremony. Choose a neutral colour that coordinates with your outfit.
Scarves: A scarf can be a great accessory for a graduation ceremony, especially if it’s a cold day. Choose a scarf in a coordinating colour and tie it around your neck or drape it over your shoulders.

Tips on What to Wear to Your Graduation Ceremony

Consider the weather: Make sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. If it is hot, opt for lightweight fabrics, and if it is cool, add a cardigan or blazer to your outfit.
Dress appropriately: Make sure to dress appropriately for the occasion. A graduation ceremony is not the place to wear casual or revealing clothing.
Wear something you feel comfortable in: Graduation ceremonies can be long, so it's important to wear something you feel comfortable in. Choose an outfit that you can sit and stand in for an extended period.
Avoid anything too distracting: Graduation ceremonies are all about the graduates, so avoid anything that might be too distracting, such as loud patterns or bright colours.
Pay attention to the dress code: If the graduation ceremony has a specific dress code, make sure to follow it. If you're unsure, it's always better to err on the side of caution and dress more formally.

In conclusion, dressing appropriately for a graduation ceremony is important, whether you're the graduate or a guest. Choose a semi-formal outfit that is appropriate for the occasion and accessorize with simple jewellery and comfortable shoes. Remember to consider the weather, dress appropriately, wear something you feel comfortable in, avoid anything too distracting, and pay attention to the dress code. With these tips in mind, you'll be sure to look your best on this special day.