I have found 15 other dresses that I am happy to wear for graduation, even though this STAUD midi dress is stunning, there are more options for scrolling. Thank you for that.
Dress | bag | heelsat Saks | at Nordstrom | at Net-A-Porter | at Bloomies.
During a team meeting a couple of weeks ago, we found ourselves in a lively conversation about what they wore to their recent graduations. They were talking about what their siblings or friends wore to their graduations this spring. It then dawned on me that they are actually a talented and creative group of grown women, younger than me but closer to my children’s ages. They’re impressive, and they’re actually like kids in my head. They have many good ideas flying around, and we had a pretty lively conversation about what to wear to graduations on Zoom.
I was contemplating what attire I should wear to my children’s graduation ceremonies…Which felt quite distinct.
When it comes to fashion, I usually have a fairly conservative mindset, so I tend to slip into weird sorts of outfits that meet the requirements of appropriateness. As a mom to my big kids, I have ventured further down the road of what I would wear, and my opinions have only become stronger and stronger.
There are many of them…Prepare yourself. I have created rules “for myself” that express various personal styles in all sorts of ways, apparently for my kids’ graduations and events like temple and church. I promise to love and appreciate everyone’s personal styles, which are expressed everywhere. I do not judge others based on what they wear to these events. However, I want to make it clear.
If you wish, I can carry on with an outfit that strikes a balance between casual and dressy, without being excessively hot or clingy. I will avoid anything that appears too outdated or too youthful, as well as anything that is excessively long or short (as graduates often wear such attires themselves). I will avoid solid white (as it is a festive event) and solid black. Moreover, I will ensure that my outfit does not attract excessive attention or cause embarrassment to my children. I will abstain from anything flashy or excessively extravagant, striking a balance between looking youthful and mature.
Welcome, all of you, to my whirling cyclone of a mind. Aren’t you happy you were included?
Sophisticated, But Not Boring…The Best Dresses For A Graduation
This dress has a sophisticated vibe but is still classy. It’s not boring, and it’s perfect for future graduations and for my kids. I’m looking for a dress that falls below the knee and has a personality.
I selected my top 15 picks, including some dresses from Anthro, with prints and solids, some with sleeves and some without, made of 100% natural fibers and some with stretchy-sculpting synthetic materials. These dresses are sophisticated and have a unique personality, and some of them are priced under $200, while others are from the higher-end Ligne La collection.
15 Beautiful Midi + Maxi Dresses To Wear To Your Kid’s Graduation
Summer and spring are equally special for wearing these dresses, as well as for other occasions. Additionally, there’s a little something for everyone as a bonus. I hope that my future sons’ graduations would provide an opportunity for me to happily wear these 15 dresses.
Fifteen | Fourteen | Thirteen | Twelve | Eleven | Ten | Nine | Eight | Seven | Six | Five | Four | Three | Two | One.
1. La Ligne Celina Printed Smocked Dress
At Nordstrom – Dot Print | at Nordstrom – Poppy | at La Ligne – All Color Options.
Certainly, for dullness, FAR distinct and captivating are those components playful with designed and appear refined, materials stunning. If they fit within your budget, my preferred brand for dresses in NYC is La Ligne.
Incredible! The Celina dress features a stunning navy color with a modern floral print in black and poppy. It is available in four different colorways and comes with a two-way zipper and pockets. The skirt has a fabulous tulip shape, while the bodice has a smocked design and pretty puff sleeves.
2. SOVERE 1-Shoulder Smocked-Waist Dress
At Anthropologie | alike.
This one-shoulder dress from SOVERE completely achieves the whole personality-with-but-classy thing, with a nice drape on top and a fantastic pairing of neutral two-tone cotton, all topped off with love and pockets!
3. Maeve Cassandra Maxi Dress
Cassandra At Anthropologie. | Somerset At Anthropologie..
Additionally, there is a wide array of spring hues to select from, yet I am particularly attracted to the black-and-tan design. There are numerous pattern options, superb color choices, and delightful to don for various events, these coveted Anthropologie dresses, such as the Maeve Cassandra maxi dress and Somerset’s maxi dresses, are adored by many.
4. Maeve Sleeveless Shirt Dress
At Anthropologie.
I absolutely adore how this cool leather bag comes in more colors to choose from. It’s styled with a contrasting bag, and I love how it can be dressed up with either flat sandals or heels. This sleeveless modern shirtdress is so cute, and it is striking with its orange color. Additionally, it also comes in black with white detailing.
5. La Ligne Floral Vivian Dress
At Saks | at Nordstrom | at La Ligne NYC.
These La Ligne dresses are absolutely stunning, and they come in plus sizes. The smocked bodice and cap sleeves (which can be worn in either an up or down position) add a charming touch to this elegant floral design. Made from 100% cotton, this A-line midi dress from La Ligne is both sophisticated and beautiful.
6. Gap Puff-Sleeve Metallic Floral Midi Dress
At Gap.
Gap does a fantastic job of creating budget-friendly dresses for a variety of occasions. I would wear this black-and-white floral midi dress with comfortable nude wedges or simple heeled sandals. Check out this playful off-the-shoulder midi A-line dress, which also serves as another budget-friendly option that makes a statement.
7. Reformation Tagliatelle Linen Dress
At Reformation.
I particularly love the sophisticated patterns and the variety of colorways that this dress from Tagliatelle comes in. Although it feels like a great fit for graduation, The Tagliatelle dress, in particular, feels sophisticated. I am a huge fan of both Reformation’s linen line and Shana, and I find everything from them to be very pretty.
8. La Ligne Floral Jamie Dress
At Saks | at La Ligne NYC.
This dress from La Ligne, called Jamie Floral, adds a sophisticated and modern element with its beautiful solid colorway and a poppy print border. I absolutely love the dark lines in the print, it’s so cute and freaking amazing! However, it could not include a bold pattern and color, which is probably the upper limit for me in terms of graduation attire. Gah, I’m obsessed!
9. Anthro Cecily Fit & Flare Sweetheart Dress
At Anthropologie.
Another FABULOUS design from Anthropologie. The pink-and-orange geometric print is the colorway I’d choose, but the green-floral and solid-black dresses are also quite stunning. This “magic fabric,” only available At Anthropologie., is made to sculpt as it stretches. Available in standard, petite and plus sizing.
10. Frank & Eileen Rory Woven Long Dress
At Revolve | at Frank & Eileen.
This airy shirtdress is made from 100% linen, giving it an elegant and effortless look. It instantly elevates your status when worn with a gold matte or patent white belt, as shown in the white leather version. I love how adding a belt gives it a loose and relaxed appearance, making it easy to wear as a maxi dress. Eileen & Frank have created a dress that is both stylish and comfortable.
11. STAUD Jackson Midi Dress
At Saks | at Nordstrom | at Shopbop | at STAUD.
The STAUD midi dress is truly perfection! It comes in poppy, white, black, and navy, and I’m wearing an XS in the photos. I’m 5’2″ and weigh 138 pounds, and the S size would probably be a better fit for me. The waist is nice and stretchy, and the dress is made of 98% cotton, so it’s comfortable to wear. The pockets are also usable and the overall quality is great.
12. By Anthropologie The Peregrine Midi Dress
At Anthropologie.
Anthropologie offers a surprisingly stellar selection of pretty and interesting dresses in a variety of prints and colors, including options for both plus-sized and petite individuals. One of the things that sets them apart is their attention to detail, with added pockets that pocket-lovers like us will appreciate. So, when I’m looking for something to wear in the spring, I like to try on their dresses because they have a cool print that screams “Easter egg hunt” without being too over the top.
13. Madewell Ruffled One-Shoulder Midi Dress
At Madewell | at Nordstrom.
I would probably wear this olive-khaki graduation dress, but it also comes in a white eyelet and black true midi dress, which is made of lightweight cotton. Madewell does a great job of creating unfussy and understated pieces, but this dress is fabulously glamorous, which is why I love it.
14. Boden Button-Front Jersey Midi Dress
At Boden | at Nordstrom.
When I was working in an office at Boden, I used to be the biggest fan of the Boden dress, which has the comfiest stretch-jersey fabric that hugs the body without being too huggy-squeezy-clingy. It comes in regular and petite sizes, and the bodice is wrapped in a button-front midi dress that has a wonderful selection of prints.
15. FRAME Gillian Puff-Sleeve Cotton Dress
At FRAME | at Nordstrom.
I would pair this interesting structured clutch or bag with kitten heels. This 100% cotton dress features both playful and elegant elements, such as dramatic puff sleeves and a waist that is belted. It is important to note that the FRAME lineup does not include this sophisticated style we are discussing.
Return to the top.
Are there any other designers and retailers that offer beautiful dresses for special events? Does anyone want to share specifically what they are wearing for a graduation? We would love to hear your suggestions to keep those reader questions coming!