Grad Student Style: Commencement

Grad school graduation outfit idea | little black dress and Ferragamo Vara pumps — Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

I can't believe I just had my third and final academic graduation last week (well, fourth if you count high school and fifth if you count kindergarten, haha). Where has the time gone?! I'll admit that it felt a bit strange to walk before being officially done with my PhD; I defend my dissertation in a couple of weeks. All of my friends and family saw the photo proof of my graduation so I guess I need to finish now, haha! No quitting allowed. ;)

At my university, graduation is split into two parts: a main commencement ceremony and your college convocation. Commencement is the formal university-wide event with speeches and honorary degrees and such, and convocation is when everyone walks to receive their degree (of course, no one actually receives their real degree at convocation; it's mailed once grades are finalized and any outstanding fees are paid, haha).

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What to Wear to Grad School Graduation

Since my commencement and convocation were on two separate days, that meant I had two different graduation outfits to wear! The look I'm sharing today is what I wore for my department's awards banquet luncheon and for the evening commencement ceremony (plus a fancy dinner with my family after commencement).

I knew I wanted to wear my new Ferragamo 'Vara' pumps, and I kept the look simple with a little black silk dress and statement earrings. I added the cardigan for warmth indoors; it was so nice outside and I didn't even need to wear it for commencement! I bought the Madewell clutch last fall for a wedding, and it's my new favorite for formal events. I can fit all the necessities (ID/cards, car key, phone, lip balm) with very little bulging, plus I love how it's understated. And, since I needed to have my hair down for the grad ceremonies, I straightened my hair for the first time in forever!

Check out more grad school outfit inspiration!

OUTFIT DETAILS

Grana cardigan c/o / similar by Lands' End (last seen here)
Grana dress c/o / exact (review here; use my referral link for 10% off your first purchase)
Salvatore Ferragamo pumps c/o Shopbop / exact or exact from Nordstrom
Madewell clutch / exact
Moorea Seal earrings / old; similar from Last Call

what to wear to a spring graduation grad school graduation outfit ideas
outfits, lifeKimi, Cotton Cashmere Cat Hairspring, grad student styleComment