Graduation Ceremony Fashion Tips: 5 Simple Rules to Look Good in the Gown [2016 Edition]

1. Wear comfortable shoes.

Seriously, this is one is so important. You’re going to be posing for photographs, walking across the stage, walking up stairs, maybe even walking through grass.

Safe to say, there’s going to be a fair amount of walking involved.

This is not the time to bust out a new pair of stilettos. Blisters and foot pain are bad, falling over might be worse. Wedges, low heels, and ankle boots are a good way to strike a balance between style and comfort. Make sure to wear in the chosen shoes before the big day, and know how they fit you and affect your walk.

2. Think of the outfit as an ensemble with the gown and cap.

Unless you’re graduating from Hogwarts, you probably aren’t used to wearing a robe and a fancy hat to school. Choosing a good outfit to graduate in has a few more layers of complexity than most people are normally used to.

Make sure the style of dress you’ve chosen works well with the gown. Consider how long the gown and the dress are in relation to each other, and whether or not the dress will peek out at a weird looking length.

If you’re covered in a full length dark gown, colourful shoes and jewellery can really stand out. Creating a contrast between the gown and your accessories is a great idea, as demonstrated below. If you have a vivid shade of gown lining, colour coordinating your accessories with it can be a good idea.

3. Pockets.

If you’re going to be arriving separately from your family or friends, you probably want a dress with pockets for your keys and phone. Not being dependent on a bag can really make your ceremony much easier.

Keep in mind though that depending on the style of the gown and how you’re wearing it at the time, the pockets might not always be easily accessible.

Another approach would be to directly add pockets to the gown, check out this adorable blog post from Make It & Love It for details.

4. Take the weather into consideration.

What’s the weather like in July where you go to school? Dark colours bleed less in the rain, so this might be something to consider. If your ceremony is indoors with hundreds of people, consider the heat (especially since you’re wearing a thick gown!) and wear a dress made of breathable fabric.

5. Remember: Relax, you’re doing fine.

Remember, this ceremony is meant to be about honouring you. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone, you’ve already done that by earning your degree. Your graduation ceremony isn’t another test, it’s a celebration of your accomplishments.Enjoy the day with your friends and loved ones around you, and don’t take things too seriously. Be proud of yourself, you made it through!