What to Wear to a Graduation Ceremony as a Guest
Written by Artemis Clo
Someone you love is about to cross a stage in a gown and a slightly wonky cap, and you have a seat in the hall. Here is what to wear to a graduation as a guest, so you feel proud, comfortable and ready for the photographs.
What to wear to a graduation: the unwritten dress code
Most universities do not set a dress code for guests, but there is a clear unwritten one. People dress smartly, roughly as they would for a daytime christening or a summer lunch. Think polished day dress or smart separates, not evening wear and not your gardening clothes. A good graduation guest outfit looks like an occasion without competing with the graduate, who is, after all, the one in the robes.
A jacket is your best friend here. It smartens a simple dress, adds warmth in a chilly hall and looks lovely in photographs. A single-button blazer with three-quarter sleeves sits neatly over a dress or with trousers, and our blazers collection has both relaxed and tailored shapes.
If you are still unsure what to wear to a graduation ceremony at a particularly traditional university, read the information that comes with the tickets. Some institutions mention a garden party, a formal dinner or a chapel service afterwards, and each of those nudges the outfit a little smarter.
Blazers to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Single-Button Blazer with Three-Quarter Sleeves
Double-Breasted Blazer with Gold-Tone Buttons
Relaxed Check Blazer with Patch Pockets
Summer and winter ceremonies
Graduations in the UK tend to fall in two seasons: the summer ceremonies, usually around July, and winter ceremonies in December or January. They call for rather different outfits.
For a summer graduation outfit, a midi dress is the classic choice. A pink midi shirt dress with a botanical hem print is cheerful and smart, and the full dresses range has plenty more. If you prefer trousers, a matching set saves you thinking: the V-neck top and tapered trousers co-ord set looks put-together with no effort, and there are more in our co-ords and sets.
A winter graduation outfit is about layers. Ceremony halls can be warm once full, while the walk between buildings and the photographs outside can be bitter. Wear a dress or trousers with a fine knit, a blazer over the top and a proper coat you can leave in the cloakroom. Our guide on how to layer for British weather is useful here.
Comfortable for a long sit and a long stand
Here is what nobody tells you about graduations. You will sit for an hour or two in a row of seats with very little legroom, then stand for a long time outside while everyone takes photographs, then possibly walk across a campus to a reception. Your outfit has to cope with all three.
Avoid anything that rides up when you sit, digs in at the waist or creases badly. Fabrics that drape and waistbands with a little give are your friends. Check that you can sit comfortably in your outfit for an hour at home first, ideally on a hard chair, which is closer to the truth of a ceremony hall than your sofa. It sounds excessive and saves a great deal of fidgeting.
Shoes matter even more. Old university buildings come with stone steps, cobbles and lawns, which are not kind to stilettos. A low block heel or a smart flat will carry you through the day. Colour-block penny loafers with a low heel are smart and cheerful, and our shoes collection has block heels and flats for both seasons.
Colour, photographs and the day bag
Graduation photos will be on mantelpieces for years, so it is worth a moment of thought. Graduation gowns are usually black, often with coloured hoods, so a guest in a clear, mid-tone colour stands out nicely beside them. Navy, soft blue, rose, sage and coral all photograph well. Very busy prints can look restless in group shots, while one strong colour always looks good.
Keep your bag small with a shoulder strap, so your hands are free for flowers, a camera and the inevitable glass of fizz. Pack a compact umbrella, a small bottle of water and some tissues: graduations make the toughest of us a little misty-eyed.
If you have another family occasion coming up, our guide to wedding dress codes explained covers the formal end of the scale. For now, enjoy the moment. You have earned that seat in the hall as much as they have earned the scroll.
Next, from our shoes
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Orthopaedic Cut-Out Mary Janes with Block Heel
Colour-Block Penny Loafers, Low Heel
Orthopaedic Toe-Post Sandals, Block Heel
Your questions, answered
Is there a dress code for graduation guests?
Usually there is no formal dress code for guests, but most people dress smartly, roughly as they would for a daytime christening or a summer lunch. Some universities give guidance in the ceremony information, so it is worth a quick look at what they send.
Should I wear a hat to a graduation?
Generally no. Ceremonies take place indoors in halls and cathedrals, and a hat can block the view of the people behind you. Save the hat for the garden party afterwards if there is one.
Can I wear jeans to a graduation ceremony?
You can, and nobody will turn you away, but most guests dress up a little for the photographs. Smart dark jeans with a blazer and a pretty top is a good compromise if you prefer something relaxed.
How long does a graduation ceremony last?
Most ceremonies last somewhere between one and two hours, depending on how many graduates cross the stage. Add arrival time, photographs and a reception, and it easily becomes a whole day, so plan your shoes accordingly.
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