Congratulations—you’ve made it to the end of your academic career (at least this era of it)! Now comes the deceptively hard part: finding the best graduation dresses. The goal is something cute and celebratory that won’t pull too much focus under your graduation gown. (A reasonable price tag would also be nice.) And because we’ve all been there, our editors are here to help you find the perfect spring dress for your ceremony.
What should you wear to a graduation ceremony? We’ll get into the full list of dos and don’ts below, but the main takeaway is that you want a dress that’ll fit under a robe—dramatic puff sleeves and floor-skimming hems are pretty much no-gos. White is traditional and the most popular color we’ve seen, but don’t be afraid of pastels and jewel tones as long as they fit any dress code set by your school. Ready to get your big-day outfit settled? These are the best graduation dresses of 2025, vetted by Glamour editors.
Glamour’s graduation dress wish list
- The Amazon Gem: Zesica Boho Floral Midi-Dress, $51
- The Puff-Sleeve Find: August Sky Puff-Sleeve Midi-Dress, $40
- The Embroidered Number: Lulus Lovable Aesthetic Minidress, $59
- The Springy Midi: Reformation Lela Dress, $248
- The Pretty Gown: Prettygarden Flowy Summer Dress, $48
- The Boho Dress: For Love & Lemons Livia Linen Midi-Dress, $310
- The Scene Stealer: Amanda Uprichard Rendezvous Dress, $255
- The Dressed-Down Pick: Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Mini, $80
What is the best color to wear to graduation?
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White is the most popular dress color we’ve seen for graduation, followed closely by black. These neutrals feel classic and formal, which is perfect for such an important occasion. However, you can wear any color to your ceremony, especially if it complements the shade of your graduation robes; don’t be afraid to show some personality, since this is your big moment. Pastels like petal pink and powder blue are great for late spring and early summer. Be sure to pay attention to your school’s graduation dress code, which might encourage or prohibit certain colors.
Are long or short dresses better for graduation?
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We’ll always recommend short and midi-length dresses for graduation ceremonies, since they’re the easiest to walk in and won’t peek out below your gown. But again, this is a choice that’s up to you—just practice your walk, especially if you’ll be on turf or stairs.
What not to wear under a graduation gown?
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You should reconsider wearing anything that’ll mess with the appearance and drape of your gown, like puff sleeves, voluminous skirts, low hemlines, and high necks. And remember that not all dresses are made the same; it’s better to go a little too formal than to lean too casual. (The picks below will have you covered.) And pay attention to your footwear, since kitten heels, Mary Janes, and block heels are easier for walking across a long stage or a football field than, say, stilettos.
Best white graduation dresses
When in doubt, go with a white dress for graduation. You can’t go wrong with the classic color, which elevates any silhouette and coordinates with any school colors. Whether you prefer a classic midi or a mini with a trendy flat collar, these picks will look great in photos and won’t mess with your gown. Accessorize with minimal jewelry and metallic sandals for an elevated yet low-effort outfit.
Zesica Boho Floral Midi-Dress
Amazon
House of CB Debutante Backless Midi-Dress
Nordstrom
Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Cap-Sleeve Minidress
Abercrombie & Fitch
Lulus Adorable Poise Pearl Puff-Sleeve Minidress
Lulus
Hollister Strapless Bow Minidress
Hollister
Reformation Soraya Linen Dress
Reformation
Best midi graduation dresses
These dresses run the gamut from casual to formal, but they’re all completely dreamy—isn’t that what you want on your big day? We’re getting a little more playful with color here, since there are very few reasons not to wear bold yellow, sky blue, or pastel pink under your gown. Better yet, you’ll be able to rewear all of these gems long after you collect your degree. (Tropical vacation, anyone?)
Free People Salvador Printed Midi-Dress
Free People
J.Crew Drop-Waist Mixy Dress
J. Crew
Anrabess Square-Neck Ruffle Dress
Amazon
American Eagle Corset Tie-Strap Floral Midi-Dress
American Eagle
Reformation Lela Dress
Reformation
For Love & Lemons Livia Linen Midi-Dress
Free People
Best short graduation dresses
Whether you want to show off your legs or ensure that nothing peeks out under your robe, minidresses are ideal for graduation ceremonies. Each of these picks is formal enough for dressy ceremonies, while their above-the-knee length keeps them feeling young. Pair them with sculptural earrings and a blowout to add to the high-end vibes; go with strappy sandals for warm-weather celebrations.
Zesica Ruffle Tiered Minidress
Amazon
Abercrombie & Fitch Slash-Neck Minidress
Abercrombie & Fitch
Six Stories Drop-Hem Minidress
ASOS
Anthropologie Embroidered Somerset Minidress
Anthropologie
ASOS Design Curve Corset Full-Skirt Minidress
ASOS
Self-Portrait Appliquéd Minidress
Net-a-Porter
Best formal graduation dresses
Even if your ceremony isn’t explicitly labeled “formal,” it’s never a bad idea to go with a nicer option. We love that these numbers capture the spirit of a cocktail dress code without looking like wedding guest dresses; sometimes, all you need to look put-together is an A-line dress and a matching pair of heels. And yes, minis can totally be formal (as long as you lean into elevated accessories, hair, and makeup when you’re getting ready).
Reformation Everett Linen Dress
Reformation
Staud Wells Dress
Net-A-Porter
Lulus Lovable Aesthetic Embroidered Tie-Strap Minidress
Lulus
Azazie Atelier Kia Floral Pleated Midi-Dress
Azazie
Amanda Uprichard Rendezvous Dress
Revolve
Prettygarden One-Shoulder Dress
Amazon
Best graduation dresses under $50
While it would be incredible to choose any grad dress you want, let’s be realistic: You’re probably working with a student’s budget. Thankfully, these $50-or-less picks overdeliver on looks and charm. How about a short ball gown, a draped slipdress, or a puff-sleeve number that’s actually graduation-gown-friendly? You’ll find them here starting at just $40.
Zattcas Smocked Dress
Amazon
Prettygarden Flowy Summer Dress
Amazon
Prettygarden Midi Satin Dress
Amazon
Mogidol Cowl-Neck Backless Midi-Dress
Amazon
August Sky Puff-Sleeve Smocked Midi-Dress
Nordstrom Rack
Zesica Square-Neck Puff-Sleeve Dress
Amazon
The post 30 Best Graduation Dresses for Every Kind of Ceremony in 2025 appeared first on Glamour.
