20 Cute Dresses for Graduation & Beyond
Spring semester is quickly coming to an end (yay!), and for some of our lovely readers that means graduation! Over the next few months, whether you’re graduating from high school, college, or just going to a graduation, you’ll need something great to wear!
Here are 20 great graduation-friendly dresses you’ll want to wear again and again.
1. Southern Preppy Dresses
Product Information: Lilly Pulitzer Allegra Dress, Zappos. Lorelei Dress, J Crew. Pia Dress, Akira Chicago. Seersucker Dress, American Eagle.
Southern preppy styles are what immediately pops into my head when I imagine graduation dresses! Their silhouettes, colors, and materials are the perfect blend of classic and fun. Even better, these sun dresses can be worn day-to-day come summer, and can also be worn to a warm weather wedding. They’re classic, flattering, and adorable!
2. White Dresses
Product Information: Kellie Dress, Delia’s. Patsy Duchess Dress, Coast Stores. Cotton Eyelet Halter Dress, C&C California. Rose Smock Dress, Topshop.
Required to wear white for graduation but don’t want to look like a bride? You’ve got lots of options and shades to choose from. If snow white isn’t flattering to you and you’re allowed to choose from similar colors, try ecru, champagne, off-white or eggshell! Top off your look with nude heels to elongate your pretty legs and you’re good to go.
3. Trendy Dresses
Product Information: Free People Bollywood Dress, Ron Herman. Lake Effect Dress, Modcloth. Nautical Dress, Missguided. Billabong Irina Dress, Pacsun.
If you’re trend-conscious and like to take risks with your look, these dresses could be perfect for you! From fun embellishments to bright colors, you’ll be the center of attention in one of these show stoppers. Trendy dresses are great because you’ll be able to incorporate them into your summer wardrobe without missing a beat. Added bonus? They’ll look great in colder seasons with a jean jacket, tights, and boots!
4. Dresses with Straps
Product Information: American Apparel Le Sac Convertible Dress, Bluefly. Broad Beach Dress, Hollister. Sugar Coated Tiers Dress, Ruche. Dotted Silk Dress, Forever 21.
If your school has strap requirements or you just aren’t a fan of strapless dresses, there are still a bunch of cute, fashionable styles for graduation. From cap sleeves to one shoulders to halters, you don’t have to go strapless to look totally amazing, and you won’t have to worry about hiking your dress up every five minutes.
5. Maxi Dresses
Product Information: Lotta Stesson Jersey Dress, Net-a-Porter. Missoni Style Maxi Dress, Arden B. Bandeau Maxi Dress by Unique, Topshop. Giraffe Print Maxi, Dorothy Perkins.
Maxi dresses were huge last summer and it looks as if the style is here to stay. Not only are these dresses figure-flattering for a variety of body types, but they’re also super easy to wear–they give off that slightly bohemian, effortlessly stylish vibe that so many of us strive for! Maxis are also great if you’re not into wearing heels since they look amazing with sandals, gladiators, or espadrilles. That being said, if you’re short, you can totally get away with a pair of sky-high heels under that dress–no one will be able to see that you’ve got them on!
Tell me what you’re thinking!
Are you graduating this semester? Planning on attending a friend or family member’s graduation celebration in a few short weeks? What are you going to wear?! Let me know with a comment!
Posted on on April 8, 2010 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Dresses, Featured, Graduation, Maxi Dress, Preppy, Southern, Spring, Summer, Trends, Trendy, White
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Tynn
Oh yes! I will be attending my brother’s graduation in Florida this May! Great help. Havent thought about what to wear yet… this article has gotten the ball rolling for me …. =)
Haha thank you so much Liza!
Milana
Nice post…
Maxi dresses are definitely a good choice this year!
jem
this is such a great post and it has really helped me out. it has given me some ideas as to what type of dress i might want to wear to my graduation in june!
Kim - Cal State
This is a great post Liza! Very neat and organized, I may not be graduating anytime soon, but I will definitely keep your tips in mind!
Diane
I’m DYING for that Missoni style maxi from Arden B. but it’s no longer on the website!! Love.
Sari
I’m a fan of the J. Crew and Billabong dress. The colors you selected for both are lovely.
Ally
Great choices, also love the Missoni-inspired one!
Chelsea
these are good ideas. i’ll be graduating in the fall, can you come up with some ideas for fall graduation dresses to wear??
Dominique
I really like all the white dresses, as well as the bollywood free people dress (that one’s my favorite actually–so fun and unique!)
Wish I had an excuse to by one… alas I do not, haha.
Megan
Great post, Liza! I had never thought about a maxi dress before!
Maddie
I’m graduating from high school in May, and I live in Texas so it will be really hot! I am wearing a really cute white dress from Bloomingdales.
JillAnn
LOVE the southern-style dresses. Thanks, Liza!
Lizzy
Adorable dresses. Unfortunately, my school encourages students to wear dark shoes, dark skirts or pants, and long sleeved white blouses or shirts to graduation. Which, quite frankly, sounds pretty unattractive.
Dani
That’s the first maxi dress with sleeves I’ve ever seen. Of course it’s Missoni. They can do no wrong!
designer.finds.addict
Loving that Missoni Dress!!
Sierra
I can’t find the Missoni-style maxi dress on the Arden B website- did you use a fashion search engine site (like Polyvore or ShopStyle)? If so, just be careful with those because they don’t update to reflect if styles sell out on their actual website…which is upsetting, because I love that dress but I think it’s sold out!
Denise
OMG! I am soo excited to go shopping for my grad dress! Granted I still need to deal with my final undergrad final exams… I have to find the perfect dress STAT. Thanks for the ideas. Love the purple dress from American Apparel and the maxi dresses too.
Lauren
I’m sorry but that forever 21 dress in the straps section is not cute. I saw it on their website; not cute.
Lottie
No black dresses? At my graduation it was the only colour that went with our gowns! hehe. Plus it was boiling hot so I could never of pulled off a maxi dress with it all! Really like the sweet white options though! :-)
Ashley
You might not want to wear a maxi-dress (or even a longish skirt) if you have to wear a cap and gown. The skirt sticking out the bottom from under the gown looks super sloppy and awkward. Just a thought!
Margo M
This article is a good starting guide!
I think that a disclaimer is in order though. For example, that some of these short dresses would look good on most people for graduation, but be inappropriate for taller girls. When it comes to dresses–a few inches really makes a huge difference–and I don’t think anyone really wants to luck a tad “provocative” on their graduation day.
Lola
I’m going to my cousin’s graduation soon, and I’m stumped on what to wear. The invitation says “business attire.” What exactly does that mean? Any ideas on what to wear? I’m 16 btw.
aminul designer
really allover cute dress & dress fabric . so cute
yhank u
Maxi
Maxi’s are my best friend this year. a blend of sexy and feminine. can’t go wrong!
Rita
sigh**..i need help..i need an outfit for my graduation coming up next month..preferably a dress and it has to be black or white or black and white.. help anybody??
Joanne
I have converted over to the maxi . Comfortabl,.sexy,feminine,and fun,that is how I describe these dresses ! Good Bye mini skirts and skinny jeans !
Thato Mosiane
Wow these dresses look so amazing! I cant wait for that day when I graduate.