What to Wear to a Graduation this Spring

Do you have a graduation to attend this spring? Congratulations! It’s a big deal in a family when someone earns a degree or a diploma. I hope you enjoy the celebration. To help you look and feel your best for the big event, I’m sharing my thoughts about what you might want to wear to a graduation this spring.

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While at first thought it may seem like a graduation is an event for which you should truly “dress up,” comfort and functionality really need to rule your choices for this outfit. Because both of my children have graduated from high school and college in the last 15 years, I remember those events pretty well. Both included a lot of walking and a lot of waiting. And all four graduations were a combination of indoor and outdoor events.

So while you certainly could wear a skirt or dress – and I did wear a dress to at least one of those graduations, if not more – I think a pair of casual but elevated trousers like these Bristol pants are a perfect choice, too. This outfit checks several boxes that I would take into consideration for this momentous occasion.

• If it’s warm and you’ll be doing a lot of walking and/or sitting in the sun, wear something comfortable and cool. I’ve worn lightweight trousers and a linen top. Both are 30% off for a limited time.
• Wear something loose fitting that let’s your skin breathe. Maybe opt to leave the belt off your pants like I did here.
• If you’ll be doing a lot of walking across campus, wear something that won’t chafe or rub you wrong.

• Don’t forget your sunglasses.
• And consider taking a hat or visor to provide additional sun protection and better visibility. But steer clear of hats with super wide rims that may annoy others in the bleachers with you.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Opt for comfortable shoes you can stand and walk in extensively.

For my outfit I wore black strappy block heeled sandals. They’re perfect if you’ll only be walking a short distance. But you can get the same strappy sandals in a flat, too.

Or you could opt for the Naturalizer sandals I am showing below with my outfit. These are some of my most comfortable sandals for walking. I wore these and the birchwood pair so much last summer and I’ve kept them for this year.

• Take a bottled water with you. Check the policies at your event, but many facilities will allow you to enter with an unopened bottled water or they will provide or sell them. Drink up!
• Keep your jewelry lightweight and simple.

• Be sure to take a jacket, cardigan and/or wrap. The weather will undoubtedly change as the sun sets.

I like wearing/taking a denim jacket to events like this because I can also carry things like glasses and phone in my interior pockets. That may keep me from having to carry a handbag at all.

Speaking of handbags, that leads us to a situation you’ll want to check on before the big day. Many venues such as stadiums and coliseums, whether at universities, high schools or municipal facilities, no longer allow you to carry in large bags. They have various bag policies. Some allow you to bring in a small bag, like this crossbody (not shown). But others will only allow you to bring in clear bags, such as this one (great price).

Because there is so much more to consider than just what you’ll wear to a graduation, my assistant Holly gathered up lots of other great accessories to consider for your celebration.

Purses for Graduation

Like I said, the most important thing you can do as far as choosing a bag to take to a graduation is to check the event policy. Below we’ve gathered some that are simply small and others that are clear.

Shoes for Graduation

Keeping in mind that we all choose comfortable shoes differently, we’ve selected several different types of footwear. But the most important tip is to break in any new shoes sufficiently before the graduation. And you might want to carry along a second pair if your day will be extended with two ceremonies. Many universities have multiple services with one commencement ceremony for the student’s school during the day (or even the day before) and one graduation celebration in the evening. Swapping out footwear during the day could save your feet!

Outerwear for Graduation

Like I said, I love my denim jacket for this kind of event. But we’ve pulled together a variety of other options that are lightweight but will provide warmth and wind protection if needed. Make your selection based on the day’s weather and your location.

Sunglasses for Graduation

Just in case you’re looking for some new sunglasses, we’ve got those, too! If you’re attending an outdoor ceremony you really will need these.

Hats & Visors for Graduation

If you’ll be sitting outside you’ll be so glad you brought a hat. It will protect your face and neck from the sun, but it will also shield your eyes from the sun.

One final tip for selecting what to wear to a graduation this spring. Consider that people will undoubtedly be snapping photos. And yes, you DO want to be in them. So I suggest wearing something that will not look dated when looking back at the event ten years from now. And the best way to do that is simply to wear basic pieces with clean lines and in solid colors. Also wear a color that is flattering to you. In fact, this pretty pink linen top I’m wearing also comes in beautiful pineapple yellow and cerulean blue.

Oh, and while this is not part of your outfit, it will help preserve it. Consider taking a small hand towel or stadium cushion to sit on for an outside graduation.

I hope you enjoy the big day of celebrating your graduate. Put a little thought into what you’ll wear and carry, get dressed for you day and then forget about it. Focus on your graduate and have fun!

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