Hi guys!
It’s been a hot sec! I’ve had a crazy month and I’m finally getting back into the swing of things over here. By crazy I mean shitty and by “getting back into the swing of things” I mean like, functioning as a person. I’ve been spending my morning going through messages I let pile up all last month (sorry, I stink) - it looks like a bunch of you are graduating soon & looking for outfit ideas! First of all, congrats on having your life together – I ordered my graduation dress 4 days before graduation – and secondly, CONGRATS ON GRADUATING! Whether you’re graduating from high school, college, your master’s program – PROUD OF YOU!! The adult world is intimidating but college is SO much better than high school &, likewise, the first time you go back to college after graduation you’ll realize how much you don’t miss sleeping on a floor and having drunk guys yell ‘WHAT’S YOUR MAJOR” while spilling a natty light on you. My best advice is that college is great, don’t prematurely pass on opportunities to drink UV Blue in the basement of a frat house on a Tuesday night, BUT don’t cling onto those nights post-grad because every morning you wake up from reliving your glory days, you push yourself closer to the brink of death. I’m still hungover form Sunday night. If you’re just starting college, I’m so jealous, but if you’re just graduating, having a stove and getting paid to do things is sick.
No matter where you’re graduating from, its usually safe to say graduation day is going to be hot. Whether it’s actually hot outside, it’s hot from being surrounded by a million people, you’re hot because you’re hungover, or anxiety has manifested as sweat (cut to a frame of me experiencing all four scenarios while burping tequila, still drunk at my boyfriend’s graduation) – wear something comfortable and breezy. I know its typical to opt for something white on graduation day, but I think anything you’re comfortable in that looks season appropriate is perfect. I wore a white dress from Lilly that I LOVED. It was super comfortable, very light, and I got a ton of compliments on it. Call me basic but I looked like a professional golfer’s wife & could still fit 4 nips of Smirnoff raspberry in the built in cups (THE DRESS HAD POCKETS TOO! LOVE THAT.)
Don’t overestimate your ability to walk and be comfortable in your shoes. Just wear flats or wedges. I wore 6 inch Jimmy Choos with no platforms and not only did I fall twice, I was barefoot by the end of the ceremony. A mess. Sad. I didn’t realize how much walking I would have to do but !! pro tip !! If you go to a huge school – you’re not parking anywhere near where you’re graduating. You’re going to have to walk. If you go to UMass – don’t wear stilettos. I looked like an asshole.
While going through dresses, I made sure to pick out suggestions that I would wear if I was doing it all over again. Its definitely not the most important part of the day, but you’ll have the pictures forever, might as well be wearing something cute. Don’t fall for anyone telling you “YoU’rE wEaRiNg A gOwN iT dOeSn’T mAtTeR” – it is HOT OUT. You aren’t going to want to wear the gown the whole time and pictures are cuter when you have it open or, like, not on. Gowns are gross.
For the purpose of this being a grad dress post, I’m only posting white (most of you specified you were looking for white) pieces, but I’ll make a spring dress post soon! I love the idea of pinks and yellows at grad as well!
The dress I have depicted in the header would be my number 1 choice for myself! I’m a huge fan of Alice + Olivia and genuinely believe their dresses are worth the higher price point. PLUS it’s 25% at Nordstrom right now! The little pearl details are adorable & it’s a mini shift dress so definitely comfortable for the day. My list here includes pieces at a bunch of different price points and styles depending on how dressed up you want to be for graduation. I think that’s all a matter of personal preference! If some of these are too casual for graduation for you, they’re perfect to just have around for the summer! Lulu’s consistently has really cute pieces that are affordable enough to stockpile.
White Graduation Dresses (and a pair of pants because I think they’re really cute & versatile for the summer.) Sorry about the ugly links, wix is being a pain in the butt today, I'll get that edited ASAP!
If you’re looking for something more dressy......
Alice + Olivia, Kristiana Button Detail Fitted Dress. My personal favorite!
https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/alice-olivia-kristiana-button-detail-fitted-dress/4862285?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=OFF%20WHITE
Ted Baker, Embellished Skater Dress.
Amanda Uprichard, Tiered Ruffle Dress. I can't emphasise enough, even in italics, how much I love Amanda Uprichard - great quality & everything always fits SO nicely.
http://www.revolve.com/amanda-uprichard-tiered-ruffle-dress/dp/AMAN-WD721/?d=Womens&page=1&lc=38&itrownum=13&itcurrpage=1&itview=01&plpSrc=%2Fr%2FBrands.jsp%3F%26aliasURL%3Ddresses-mini%252Fbr%252Fb19f8d%26s%3Dc%26c%3DDresses%26sc%3DMini%26color%255B%255D%3Dwhite%26price%255B%255D%3DUNDER_100%26price%255B%255D%3DONE_TO_TWO%26price%255B%255D%3DTWO_TO_THREE%26color%255B%255D%3Dwhite%26price%255B%255D%3DUNDER_100%26price%255B%255D%3DONE_TO_TWO%26price%255B%255D%3DTWO_TO_THREE%26sortBy%3Dfeatured
Lulus, Resplendence White Lace Body-con Midi Dress. In my mind I am hot and wearing this on a rooftop bar in July.
Lulus, Look at Me Wow - White Lace Two Piece Dress
Milly, Italian Cady Trapunto Tie Waist Trousers. Would look so fancy all summer and CUTE at work. Pants just have some kick ass to them, I genuinely don't know what it is but women who pull off elegant pants embody everything I want to be.
Or more casual...
French Connection, Whisper Light Fit & Flare Dress
Lulu's, Believe in Love White Backless Skater Dress
Lulu's, Play on Curves Ivory Backless Dress (love this for summer!)
WAYF, Madelyn Tiered Mini Dress. SO cute and can easily be dressed up or down!
Alice + Olivia, Virgil Boat Neck Wrap Dress. This is great for work too! If you have a job the summer after college, I am so proud of you and you deserve nice things.
Elizabeth and James, Lane Sheath. This is an awesome price but it is final sale! If you haven't worn E&J before - size up!
I hope these ideas are helpful! Most of them you could wear flats or low sandals with and they'd still look awesome! I made sure that none of them needed heels (some probably need wedges though) to look good because I respect your comfort more than I respected myself at my own graduation. I hadn't included any Lilly dresses in my lists just because they have their own entire section on Lilly's website & honestly I love all of them. They might seem like the obvious choice but, if its not broken why fix it, right? Congrats to all of you graduating this spring! I hope post-grad life is kind to you & you never lose your ability to put down straight vodka the way I did.
:)
Ally