Whether you’re walking across the stage toward a full-time job offer or a relaxing gap year, do it in style with the perfect dress and shoes to complement your cap and gown.
Dresses
It’s sort of an unspoken rule that graduation dresses should be white, but why limit yourself to just one color? This isn’t your wedding, of course — you’re walking across the stage toward a lifetime of limitless career opportunities, not walking down the aisle toward a lifetime of holidays spent with your weird in-laws.
With that being said, a satin or linen white dress with a square neckline is classy and in-line with springtime fashion trends, plus it goes with anything, including The black-and-red graduation gowns. Stand out from the other 8,000 grads with a simple pattern like polka dots, but steer clear of distracting motifs, like plaid or checkers.
If white is too drab for you — or if you’re concerned about spilling champagne and staining the ivory fabric — look for a black, red or cream-colored dress. Anthropologie and Reformation are good places to start your search. Not looking to go into even more student debt in pursuit of the perfect graduation ensemble? Try renting. A Nuuly subscription is about $100 for a month, and you can pick out six dresses — one of them is bound to work. The clothing rental site even has an entire inventory of graduation-worthy dresses to help narrow your search.
Shoes
Unfortunately, your favorite pair of Converse or Reeboks just won’t cut it for the graduation ceremony. (Although they’re suitable for your post-ceremony bar crawl!) Instead, don some heels — they’re not ideal to “Jump Around” in, but it’s very empowering to clack around campus in a sophisticated and stylish pair of wedges or kitten heels with your diploma in hand. If you’ve settled on a black or white dress, add a splash of color to your look with some ruby-red footwear, or, if you’re feeling particularly bold, find a unique pair of cow-print mules or clogs. Remember, this is Wisconsin.
I’m optimistic that we’ll have a warm and sunny graduation ceremony, and if that’s the case, wear some wedge or thong sandals and paint your toenails Badger red. As for where to get the best graduation shoes: Sézane has the best sandals, pumps and Mary Janes, but they’re unaffordable for anyone graduating with a degree that doesn’t come from the Business School. I like to scour Anthropologie’s sale section for deals, but shoes that fit my size-11 feet are tough to come by. Your best (and cheapest) bet is to visit a DSW or to go digging in your mom’s closet for a cute pair to borrow.
Accessorize!
Add a bit of whimsy to your graduation getup: Wear some cute champagne glass earrings, pin red ribbons in your hair and embellish your cap with some cute pins that showcase your personality outside of the classroom. Remember, you’re smart and fashionable!
