What to Wear to Graduation, Under the Gown and After

What to wear to graduation

What to wear to graduation depends on two moments in one day. For the ceremony, your dress sits under a gown for an hour or more, so it should be light, knee-to-midi in length and simple at the shoulders. For the dinner afterwards the gown comes off, and the same dress, or a second one, has to stand on its own.

If you choose with both moments in mind, a single dress can carry you from the stage to the table.

What to wear under a graduation gown

In the US, most bachelor's gowns close at the front, are cut generously and fall somewhere between the knee and mid-calf. What shows is the neckline, the hem and anything that peeks out at the sleeves, so that is where to spend your attention.

Neckline

The neckline appears in nearly every photo taken in the gown. A clean round neck, a square neck or a delicate detail near the collarbone frames the face well inside the gown's opening. Very high, stiff collars can fight with the gown's own collar or hood, and a deep V-neck may disappear entirely.

Shoulders and sleeves

Gown sleeves are wide, but they still press on whatever is underneath. Puff sleeves, cape sleeves and sculptural shoulders will be flattened for the length of the ceremony. Save them for the dinner, as with the cape sleeves of the Abigail Dress, or choose a sleeveless or close-fitting sleeve for the ceremony.

Length

The neatest look is a hem that sits at, or just above, the hem of the gown, so nothing hangs unevenly below it. A midi that shows an inch or two beneath the gown also reads as intentional. Keep floor-length dresses for the evening: you will climb steps to the stage and sit in rows for a long time, and a long hem under a gown is easy to step on.

Do you need a white dress for graduation?

White is the classic choice, and some schools ask graduates to wear white or light colors under the gown, so check your school's commencement guidance first. Where there is no rule, white remains popular for good reason: it photographs cleanly against a black or navy gown, it comes in softer versions such as ivory and cream that suit different skin tones, and it carries a quiet sense of occasion.

If white is not for you, soft pastels work almost as well. Butter yellow, pale blue and blush stay light next to a dark gown and look fresh in daylight photos. Deeper colors such as red or navy come into their own at dinner, when the dress is seen in full.

Two practical notes. Pale fabrics can show what is underneath, so check the lining in daylight before the day. And if your gown is a strong color, hold the dress up next to it before you decide, because some shades clash.

Comfort for a long ceremony

Between lining up, the ceremony itself, photos on the lawn and dinner, you may be dressed for ten hours or more.

• Choose a fit you can sit in. A dress that feels comfortable at the mirror can feel different after two hours on a folding chair, so sit down in it before the day.
• Think about heat. The gown adds a layer, and many ceremonies take place outdoors in late spring or early summer. Light, breathable fabrics and a lightly lined skirt help.
• Plan your shoes with your hem. You will walk across a stage and probably over grass. A block heel or a flat is safer than a stiletto, and the hem should clear the shoe.
• Avoid anything that needs constant adjusting. Strapless styles can slip under the weight of a gown; if you love one, wear it to dinner instead.

Dressing for graduation photos

• Texture near the face, such as ruffles or a gathered neckline, gives the camera something to catch inside the gown's opening.
• A defined waist matters once the gown comes off for family pictures, because it keeps your silhouette clear in group shots.
• Solid colors age better than busy prints, and they let the cap, gown and stole stand out.
• Steam the dress on the morning of the ceremony. Creases show more on white than on any other color.

From the ceremony to the dinner after

There are two ways to handle the evening. The first is one dress for the whole day: choose a midi with a clean shoulder and a detail at the neckline or waist, then change your shoes and jewelry for dinner. The second is a change of dress: wear something simple under the gown and keep a more expressive piece for the restaurant, perhaps with ruffled shoulders, an off-the-shoulder line or a shorter hem.

For a formal dinner, a midi in a deeper color or a white dress with more structure works well; for a relaxed family meal, a lighter mini or a pastel feels right. If the dinner invitation names a dress code, see evening dress codes explained.

What to wear to a graduation as a guest or parent

Guests and parents can dress for a daytime celebration: a midi or knee-length dress in a clear color, comfortable shoes for lawns and long walks, and a light layer for an air-conditioned hall. Navy, florals and rich mid-tones photograph well beside a graduate in white.

Two options from our collection: the Hazel Dress in Midnight Navy, a one-shoulder draped midi with a cinched waist, and the Elin Dress in Dark Blue, a softly draped A-line dress that moves with every step.

Graduation dress ideas from LARMES

• Peony Dress: a white A-line midi with floral ruffles across the bust, suited to graduation ceremonies as well as formal parties. The ruffles sit where the gown opens, so they show in photos.
• Robe Dress: a white A-line midi with an asymmetric sleeve and an uncluttered line. It sits comfortably under a gown and still looks complete once the gown is off.
• Abigail Dress: a white midi with cape sleeves and a gently fitted silhouette. Because the sleeves are the detail, it is best kept for the dinner, when nothing covers them.
• Margaret Dress: a flowing white mini with a cape-style off-the-shoulder line and a sheer illusion neckline, for an evening celebration.
• Hazel Dress in Red: a pleated midi with an asymmetric sleeve, for graduates who would rather mark the evening in color.

Sizing and timing

Standard sizes are S, M and L, and many designs also come in XL. A standard size can be adjusted at the bust, waist and hip, or a piece can be made in a custom size from your measurements: here is how to measure yourself for a dress, and our size guide gives every size in inches and centimeters. The model in our photos is 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) tall and wears a size S.

Every piece is made to order in our Ho Chi Minh City atelier. Order at least six weeks ahead for a standard size and eight weeks for a custom size: making takes about 7 to 10 days (15 to 20 for a custom size), and international delivery usually takes 7 to 20 business days. For a May or June ceremony, that means ordering a custom size by late March. If you might need to exchange a size, order earlier still.

Orders to the US and Canada may be charged import duties or taxes on delivery, which are not included at checkout; see our shipping policy. We offer exchanges rather than refunds. In Ho Chi Minh City you can book a fitting at our store; please contact us before you visit.

Browse our white dresses for the ceremony, or the full dress collection for the dinner after.