The Graduate

Unless you plan to go naked under that hard-earned cap and gown, here are our picks for the best dresses to sport under that polyester tent. There’s always time for pictures, and when every moment of your life is about being Insta-ready, you better make sure you’re sitting pretty once that robe comes off. Lucky for you, just about everything goes with that little square hat.

Floral Treats

I know, florals for spring aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but that doesn’t make them any less perfect for the occasion. It’s Spring! April showers are gone and nothing calls for a celebration quite like May flowers.

If you're feeling particularly daring, you can even go for pants (cropped obviously-- because you don't want anything peaking out under your gown! We're loving the summery palm print on this For Love & Lemons onesie. This 2020 Ave white floral and lace-trimmed dress is soft and feminine and definitely calls for a disrobing at some point. I love that the lace will likely peak out the bottom of the robe, making a statement all the way across the stage while you're collecting that diploma. We love a high neck, and this BB Dakota dress is equal parts sexy and smart! It's totally boho inspired so you're definitely on-trend, but the light cotton material is perfect for when you're sitting on the football field in the heat.

Lace Case

Then there's old faithful, LACE. This is a very classy day. Your parents (omg and maybe even Grandma!) will be there to support you. Show them what a fine adult you've become by dressing the part. We love the color of this lacy number from Tobi, and it's a dress you won't mind wearing when you're at a nice steakhouse with the family, and then directly to a dive-bar afterwords with your friends. Billowed sleeves are here to stay, ladies! Try the trend in classic colors like this offwhite one from BB Dakota. Not sure if there's a rule about only wearing white to graduations (some schools do, I think 🤔) but if that's the case, this adorable dress from Modcloth covers every base.

And at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what you're wearing! YOU DID IT! Congratulations & welcome to the real world. It's going to be awesome.