A glow up {taken in the exact same spot 2012 > 2017}
Throwback to last year’s graduation. Wow time flies.
Graduation is right around the corner for some of you. SO exciting, you’re almost done!! This time exactly one year ago, I was graduating and none of it felt real. I honestly don’t know how I made it through, I was such a mess in college. I’m still a mess let’s be honest.
My last week of school I was awake for 36 hours straight finishing up all of my final projects. Somehow I didn’t have a single final exam. The last project I did was probably the biggest piece of garbage I’ve ever produced. But here I am with two degrees.
If you are graduating next week — first of all good luck with finals — I’ve got you covered with some of my favorite dresses for graduation and your graduation party. A cap and gown isn’t exactly a fashion statement. You need a killer dress underneath to step into your next chapter in style.
Lulus is my ride-or-die online clothing store. They. Have. Everything. If you’re ever looking for something on the website, you’re going to need a hot minute. Every time I’m in need of something {usually a dress} I have to do extensive research, cite sources and write 10 pages in MLA format. JK. Anyway…I usually go to Lulus for any special occasion because I always wait until the very last minute and they have very reliable express shipping.
My dress and shoes above are both from Lulus. They’re both currently sold out, but they restock old styles all the time. Another great thing about Lulus is they will email you when your styles are back in stock.
I did the work for y’all and picked out some of my favorite graduation styles below! Everything from ceremony to your grad party and grad party hopping. I’ve chosen several styles perfect for your big day.
- LOVE POEM YELLOW LACE DRESS
This one comes in so many colors, you could even match it to your school colors. It looks great with or without your gown. {comes in 14 colors — navy, yellow, coral orange, ivory, burgundy, magenta, blush pink, light blue, black, lavender, light grey, green, blue and wine red} - BISOU BLACK POLKA DOT SKATER DRESS
I talked about polka dots a little bit in my getaway lookbook {if you didn’t read you can find it here}. Dots can instantly turn any classic black look into a fun and flirty summer look. It’s fire. {comes in black and white} - I FEEL GOOD BLACK SKORT DRESS
This one is for all my tall girls out there who love a good short skirt. This one has built in shorts to cover that peach. A total lifesaver. I love this short and sassy fit with a plunge V-bar neckline. This one also comes in both of my school colors. UNO babes, this one’s for you! {comes in black and red} - LOVE GALORE WHITE SKATER DRESS
If you don’t like the skort style, here is a similar one that is a bit longer with the same neckline and super cute back details. {comes in white, black, plum purple and coral red} - EASY ON THE EYES CREAM FLORAL PRINT OFF-THE-SHOULDER MIDI DRESS
Turn heads at your graduation party. I love this one for either attending parties or hosting your own. All eyes will be on you in this adorable print midi with pops of skin in all my favorite places. I wouldn’t pick this one for the ceremony because it will stick out the bottom of the gown…it’s not a good look. This dress is actually my favorite out of all of them! - LOVE YOU FOR ETERNITY YELLOW LACE SHIFT DRESS
The classic shift dress gets super cute lace detail in this version. The yellow is my favorite. {comes in white, black, navy and yellow} - PLAID ROMANCE BLACK AND WHITE GINGHAM PRINT SKATER DRESS
Give me all the gingham. Seriously. I already have a gingham dress, but this one is making me consider getting another. The flare is so fun. - BOTANY LANGUAGE SAGE GREEN FLORAL PRINT SKATER DRESS
This one is so girly and cute and such a different style from all the others. I wanted to include a dress with sleeves because we never know what the weather can do, especially in Omaha. - SWEET LITTLE LINES GOLDEN YELLOW STRIPED SHIFT DRESS
Summer summer summer yellows. You know you don’t have to go to school after this right? Like ever? It’s still weird to me. This is another good grad party dress. Fun, flirty and flowy (comfortable) for the long day of greeting people, getting that cash monayyyy and not getting to eat the food mom and dad paid for. - MAGIC OF LOVE WHITE LACE BODYCON DRESS
This one will look so good under your gown. The bodycon cut is balanced by the flow of the very large gown. Just because they aren’t very flattering, doesn’t mean you can’t be. {comes in white, blush pink, rusty rose, navy blue, lavender and blue grey} - SHIFT AND SHOUT IVORY SHIFT DRESS
Shift dresses are such a good basic staple piece. You could get a lot of wear out of this one, not just for graduation but for any occasion. I like this one in white, beige or navy. White is my personal favorite *color* to wear and I think navy just looks good on anyone. {comes in ivory, olive green, wine red, beige, red, navy blue, blush pink and black} - NEAR OR BAR BLACK SHIFT DRESS
I love the little detail on this dress. Choose a classic black or spice it up with a bright purple. Neon colors make a tan look SO GOOD. {comes in black, teal blue, cream, bright purple and navy blue} - DARLING DELIGHT BRIGHT PEACH SKATER DRESS
I love a good low back and this peach color is serious summer vibesssss. It comes in so many other bright colors, too. A dress as bright as your future babe! {comes in bright peach, fuchsia, blush and yellow}
Okay I should wrap it up here because I could go on all day. Lulu’s has such a huge selection of beautiful dresses. If you didn’t see something you liked here, definitely check out the website for more styles.
Also, make sure you pick shoes you can walk in easily when the big moment comes. Nothing would be worse than tripping up on that stage. Your shoes are the one thing that will be seen all day, so they’re almost more important than the dress selection. My current favorite styles are lucite and espadrilles. If you choose the right ones, they can actually be very comfortable.
xoxo Jess
photos by Caitlin Manley
IG: @caitlinmanleyphotography
Hey look at my super EXTRA grad cap! Fun fact: I have a scar on my leg from the hot glue used for this. It’s not that fun of a fact, actually.
