What to Wear for Graduation Using Levi's® Pieces
Style /
April 2025
What to Wear for Graduation
The moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived: you've passed your last exam, submitted your thesis, and announced your defense date to friends and family. Congratulations! But before you breathe a sigh of relief, one last important decision remains: what to wear on graduation day?
The choice isn't always easy, and the available options are numerous, especially for women. If you haven't yet decided on your graduation outfit, you've found the right guide. Keep reading to discover our suggestions for what to wear on this important day. You'll find various options for all seasons, for both women and men.
What to Wear to Graduation: Women
The suit with skirt or pants is one of the most conventional choices for female graduation outfits, but if you want to opt for something more original, you'll be spoiled for choice. Of course, in addition to your personal preferences, you'll need to consider other factors: some faculties require a fairly formal outfit, while for others a smart-casual outfit is appropriate.
Additionally, each faculty is traditionally associated with a color that you might choose to incorporate into your outfit to match the graduation ribbon. But the most important factor is undoubtedly another: temperature! Choose pieces suitable for the season, so you don't end up sweating or shivering in the middle of your thesis defense.
Shirt and Long Skirt
A long skirt is the ideal choice for both spring and summer. Even more casual models, like denim skirts, can look chic when paired with an elegant blouse or shirt. If you're graduating during the summer session, consider a wide, airy skirt, perhaps in cotton. You can pair it with a light long-sleeved blouse or, for particularly hot days, a light short-sleeved shirt worn open over a top, so you can remove it once the defense is over.
Long Dress
A long dress is perfect for a summer graduation outfit. A light dress with an A-line silhouette and flared skirt, like the long-sleeved Breslin dress, is an elegant and fresh option for spring or early summer days. If you prefer a sleeveless dress, a slip dress is an excellent choice. Paired with a pair of heels and an elegant jacket, a slip dress creates a formal outfit for the defense, and can be easily transformed into a casual outfit by removing the jacket and switching heels for low sandals or ballet flats. Explore the Levi's women's dress collection to discover all available models, or find out what other light and feminine pieces you can use to create an unforgettable outfit.
Shirt and Pants
Shirt and pants are a classic combination for graduations. In spring or summer, choose a pair of wide-leg pants, paired with heels and a short-sleeved cotton or linen blouse. In autumn or winter, you can wear flared pants with comfortable and elegant Chelsea heeled boots. Tapered pants, like the Women's Essential Chinos, look great with heeled shoes, lace-up shoes, or (for a more informal look) a pair of monochrome sneakers.
Accessories
Obviously, no outfit can be considered complete without accessories. Sometimes it takes very little to enhance an outfit: a bandana tied to a handbag or knotted around the neck, for example, can add a touch of color and class. Another often underestimated accessory is belts: worn over a dress or with high-waisted pants, they can become the focal point of an outfit, adding texture or color and enhancing your figure. Explore our women's belt collection to find the perfect one for you.
What to Wear to Graduation: Men
Are you a man looking for graduation outfit ideas? The options don't end with just a jacket and tie. With a few small adjustments, you can pair a casual piece to create the perfect graduation outfit, so you can feel comfortable and at ease throughout the day.
Polo and Pants
If you're looking for a summer graduation outfit but afraid of the heat, we have the right solution for you. Levi's® short-sleeved men's polos are a fantastic style crossover between casual and formal. Thanks to their light and breathable fabric, these polos guarantee constant freshness, even on the hottest days. Moreover, they are available in a wide variety of colors to allow you to pair them with any outfit. Complete your look with tapered pants, such as men's Chino pants, also available in lightweight fabric for warmer temperatures.
Shirt and Pants
With this combination, you can't go wrong. Perfect for more formal contexts or less warm periods of the year, the shirt and pants pairing is a classic with timeless elegance. The Levi's® men's shirt collection includes both long-sleeved and short-sleeved models. A button-down shirt, like the men's Authentic shirt, is a classic long-sleeved model with buttons on the collar. The Sunset Standard shirt with a pocket is also a traditional and elegant model. Prefer a more fitted shirt? Choose a Housemark shirt, designed with a streamlined cut.
Jackets
In a winter or mid-season men's graduation outfit, a jacket is a must. A suit jacket, of course, pairs perfectly with a shirt, but if the context allows for a more casual outfit, you can choose a less formal jacket. The Clement Washed Chore jacket, inspired by the classic work coat, will certainly not make you look out of place. Wear it open over a solid-colored t-shirt and a pair of pants, and add the finishing touch with an elegant leather men's belt.
