These Graduation Outfits Will Look So Pretty With Your Cap and Gown (2024)

It's not every day you're walking the stage to pick up your diploma—which means you should make the most of it! After all, you put in years of hard work to get here and deserve to be celebrated. If you ask us, that means your outfit needs to rise to the occasion, too. When choosing what to wear under your cap and gown, you should go with something that looks perfectly put-together and makes you feel your best when your name is called. Here, we've rounded up graduation outfits (including so many chic graduation dresses) that will ensure you do just that as you step into the next chapter of your life.

The best part? If your school doesn't have a commencement dress code, you can pretty much wear whatever you want! Feel free to express your own personal style under your gown in a pretty and polished way. That means you can wear anything from floral dresses and little black dresses to sleek blazers, pantsuits, jumpsuits, and rompers. We've included all of that and more—plus inspiration from Alex's graduation and Paige's graduation.

Stick to tradition and wear a timeless white dress or mix it up a bit with bright colors and patterns. It's your day, so have fun with it! (That also means decorating your cap with the cutest graduation cap ideas). When paired with comfortable heels or sandals, most of these ensembles can even take you right from the ceremony to your graduation party and will, of course, look great in post-commencement photos. Just be sure to use one of these graduation Instagram captions with them!

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Show them you mean business when you arrive in this snazzy ensemble. The dress features a boat neck cut atop a sophisticated sheath silhouette. With its sharp details, adding it to your wardrobe is a no brainer.

Who says you can't wear a patterned dress under your gown? It'll add an exciting look to an already exciting day. Just be sure to stick with a print that doesn't clash with your gown, like this black and white number from Ree's collection.

Throw on this elegant number for your ceremony, then wear it again for your first job interview. Along with a prim and proper high neckline, it has the prettiest pearl details around the sleeves.

Now here's a way to enter the next chapter of your life looking your most fabulous. This dress from Ree's line is just lovely with its eyelet detailing and ruffled skirt. You'll want to take your gown off ASAP!

When you look your best, you feel your best—and that's certainly something you want on graduation day. You can do that by getting all dressed up in this pick. The romper has an elegant satin fabrication paired with a mock neckline and asymmetrical sleeves.

Wear this pretty pick as you receive your diploma and you'll also receive a barrage of compliments. Just look at it! Along with lovely tie straps, the mid-length skirt will cascade beautifully along your figure while the subtle side slit gives extra oomph to its prim and proper design.

Here's another white dress that would be great for graduation and beyond. Yep, it's perfect for the office after you secure your first big job! Notice the princess-seamed bodice atop a modest pleated sheath skirt complete with half sleeves and a crew neck.

Sophistication and style come together in the best way with this pick. The fitted midi length and straight neckline paired with a front slit look towards adulthood while still maintaining a factor of youth—perfect for this transitional period in your life.

Jumpsuits offer a unique way to switch up typical ceremony attire while still looking oh so polished. This one features a timeless squared-off neckline and seamed bodice with flattering high-waisted, wide pant legs.

After all the hard work you put in to achieve this milestone, your outfit needs to be worthy of the day—and this classy yet playful pick certainly is! Off-the-shoulder cap sleeves on a sweetheart neckline, a figure-hugging silhouette, a ruched bodice, and sweeping ruffles make up its elegant design.

If you don't want to go the traditional route—don't! This suit set made up of a notched collar blazer and shorts definitely makes a statement while still giving a sophisticated vibe. We're loving this powder blue hue, but you can grab it in ten other colors as well.

We're already imagining the photo ops you'll have in this one once the commencement ceremony is finished. You can't go wrong with a satin fabric for important occasions—and when paired with delicate ruching and a tie waist, it'll be hard to top. Along with this sage color, it comes in fifteen others, too.

We're loving the Elle Woods vibes of this eye-catching ensemble. A strapless V-bar bodice with a fluttering tier atop wide pants—all done in a bright pink hue—will definitely give you that "wow" factor you're going for.

Pleats are back and better than ever! Stick to the trends for your commencement or graduation party with this popular number. The flowing silhouette and asymmetrical hem adds just the right amount of whimsy—especially for those spring graduations.

Talk about beauty and brains! This chic dress is adorned with a little beaded bow applique atop a faux wrap silhouette. You can keep it simple or easily add a pop of color with your shoes.

Here's an idea: Wear this dress under your gown with a pretty pair of heels for the ceremony, then change into cute sneakers for your graduation party after. The stretchy crepe fabric is so versatile and just as cute thanks to the square neckline and princess-seamed bodice.

After you cross the stage in this dress, you'll be two degrees hotter—one for the diploma and one for this outfit. It's flirty and fun while still perfectly poised thanks to a fitted waist that falls into a tulip midi skirt.