What to wear to a graduation, as a graduate or a guest

Start with the venue and the forecast

Graduations happen in very different places: an air conditioned arena, a gym, a church, a football stadium in full sun or a lawn in front of the main building. Before choosing clothes, find out where the ceremony is, how long it lasts and whether it goes ahead outdoors in any weather. Many universities publish guest and graduate pages with exactly this information, and some list practical advice such as bringing sunscreen, hats, rain gear and stadium cushions.

Then check the forecast a few days out and again the night before. A May or June ceremony can mean 85°F (29°C) in a stadium with no shade, a chilly morning that warms by noon or steady rain. Indoor venues are more predictable, but large air conditioned halls can feel cold after an hour of sitting. Layers solve most of these problems, and so does knowing whether you will be walking long distances from parking.

What to wear under a graduation gown

Universities such as Purdue and Arizona State recommend lightweight business casual under the gown. That advice has a practical logic. The gown is an extra layer, often worn for hours, so lighter clothes underneath keep you from overheating. Your collar or neckline shows at the top of the gown, so it should look neat in photos. And after the ceremony you will usually take the gown off to celebrate, so the outfit should stand on its own.

For women, a dress or skirt that ends at or just above the gown's hem, or tailored trousers with a simple top, work well. Knee length or midi dresses in breathable cotton, linen blends or light crepe are comfortable, and a neckline that sits neatly under the gown's V avoids an awkward look in close up photos. Very long dresses can peek out below the gown, which some people like and others do not, so check in a mirror with the gown on.

For men, a collared shirt in a light color with dress trousers or chinos is the common choice, with or without a tie. The shirt collar and tie show in photos, so they are the details worth getting right; see our guide to tying a tie if you need a refresher. Short sleeves are fine under the gown on hot days since the sleeves are covered. Keep jewelry and hair accessories modest, because Purdue notes that bulky pieces and large clips can interfere with the cap, which should sit level on your head.

Choose shoes you can walk and stand in

Shoes deserve more thought than anything else in a graduation outfit. You will line up, wait, process, climb stairs or ramps to a stage, cross it in front of a crowd and then walk to photos and meals. Purdue recommends comfortable closed toe shoes because graduates spend long stretches walking and standing, and Arizona State strongly recommends flat, supportive shoes for stadium ceremonies because heels sink into the grass.

Choose shoes you have already worn for a full day, or break new ones in at home for several days before. Loafers, low block heels, dressy flats, clean leather sneakers where the school allows them, or polished derbies all work. If you want a particular heel for photos, carry a flat pair in a bag and switch after the stage. Guests face the same stairs, grass and long walks from parking, so the same logic applies to anyone sitting in the stands.

What to wear to a graduation as a guest

Guests usually dress somewhere between smart casual and business casual. It is a celebration, not a black tie event, but family members appear in many photos and most people dress a little up. For women, a day dress, a skirt or trousers with a nice blouse, or a jumpsuit in a breathable fabric all fit; a light jacket or cardigan helps in cool halls. For men, chinos or light trousers with a button down shirt or polo, and a blazer if you like, is a reliable outfit. Casual graduation outfits for guys can drop the blazer, but a collar still looks more considered than a T shirt.

Parents often ask what is right for them specifically. There is no separate code for a mother or father of the graduate; the aim is to look pleased and prepared, not to outshine anyone. A simple dress or tailored separates in a color you like, comfortable shoes and a layer for the weather cover most mom graduation outfit ideas, and our guide to business casual for women has combinations that transfer well. Fathers can follow the same logic with business casual for men. University and high school graduations sit at roughly the same level, and the habits of your own family and community matter more than the type of school.

Dress for outdoor ceremonies

An outdoor ceremony means hours with little shade. Light colors and breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen keep you cooler, and a hat and sunglasses help, though a wide brimmed hat can block the view of the guests behind you in the stands, so choose a moderate brim or take it off during key moments. Sunscreen belongs in your bag even on a cloudy day. Graduates should know that a dark gown in direct sun gets warm quickly, which is another reason to keep the layer underneath light. Our guide to dressing for 80 degree weather has more on fabrics that stay comfortable in that heat.

If rain is possible, a poncho or packable rain jacket is more practical than an umbrella in a crowded row, and some venues limit umbrellas or bag sizes, so check the school's rules. Lehigh University, whose ceremonies run outdoors rain or shine, advises guests to bring sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, ponchos and rain gear and to wear comfortable shoes. A cushion or folded jacket makes stadium seats kinder over several hours.

What to wear to a graduation party

Graduation parties vary as much as the families that host them. A backyard cookout calls for casual clothes: a sundress, shorts with a nice top, chinos or clean jeans with a polo. A restaurant lunch or a party at a club sits closer to smart casual. If the invitation gives no clue, dress one small step above what you would wear to a friend's barbecue, and ask the host if you are unsure.

For the graduate, the party is often the time to change out of anything uncomfortable. Arizona State suggests choosing ceremony clothes you will be comfortable in while celebrating afterward, which means you may not need a second outfit at all. If the party is outdoors, the same thinking about grass, sun and evening chill applies, and our guide to dressing for 70 degree weather helps with layers for a long day that starts warm and ends cool.