Picture Perfect Graduation Wear for Moms!
Graduation day is a milestone not just for your child but for you as well! It’s a time to celebrate their achievements and show up in style for the occasion. With countless photos capturing the moment, you’ll want to look and feel your best. Here are some tips on how to dress for the camera, plus a few graduation wear for mothers I’ve rounded up that will have you looking picture-perfect from every angle!
Picture Perfect Graduation Wear for Moms!
1. Wear Business Casual to Semi Formal
For a college graduation, opt for an outfit that’s dressier than jeans but not as formal as a cocktail dress—think business casual to semi-formal, similar to what you’d wear to an important meeting or special event.
The goal is to look polished, professional, and effortlessly elegant. While trendy styles may be tempting, classic pieces will stand the test of time. When you look back on these special photos years from now, you’ll be glad you chose a timeless, sophisticated look over something that might feel outdated.
2. A Dress is Always Appropriate
A dress is a perfect choice for graduation, especially in classic silhouettes like sheath, shift, wrap, or fit-and-flare styles. Equally elegant in photos is a chic skirt paired with a silky blouse and a jacket or cardigan. Not into dresses? Classy trousers with a dressy top is another sophisticated option.
3. Coordinate Your Colors
For graduation photos, choose colors that complement the school’s theme. Soft pastels, cheerful brights, and classic neutrals like navy, taupe, and ivory are always great choices. Blue is a favorite, while pinks and peaches add warmth. In cooler months, rich tones like burgundy, teal, plum, sapphire, and emerald look elegant.
Black can work, but all-black may feel harsh or blend into the graduate’s gown. Navy is a chic alternative and quite flattering since it’s livelier than black. Avoid neon, metallic, and overly trendy shades that might look distracting or dated. Stick with timeless, flattering hues for photos you’ll love for years!
4. Floral Prints Never Fail
While solid colors are always a classic go-to, prints can be a fun and stylish option for graduation too! A floral dress, for example, is a beautiful choice for a mom on her child’s big day. When picking a floral arrangement, think about the size of the pattern and how it works with your frame. If you’re petite, go for smaller florals; if you’ve got a larger frame, medium-sized florals are flattering. If you’re somewhere in between, medium florals are a safe bet.
Just skip the oversized florals—they can be a bit much for photos. Other prints like polka dots, soft geometrics, and subtle paisley can work great, too. But steer clear of anything too loud or busy—like tropical or boho prints—they can be distracting and might not look great in pictures!
5. Go for Sophisticated, not Sexy
A graduation ceremony is not the place to try to prove you still look like a sexy mama now that your baby is all grown up.
Avoid clothing that is too revealing, i.e., low-cut tops, skirts with high slits, short skirts, sky-high heels that you can barely walk in, leopard or animal prints, dresses with edgy cut-outs, or wide-open backs, etc. When you pose for photos with your grad, you want to look like a mom, not a cougar.
6. Yes to A Suit or a Jacket and Pants
Jeans or wrinkled khakis aren’t the right choice for graduation, but you can still look polished and professional with dress pants and a classy blouse. Add a beautiful jacket or cardigan to complete the look. If you want to look taller and slimmer, try wearing all black or white for a sleek, streamlined effect, and then add a pop of color with an open jacket or cardigan.
Jackets are also great for covering your upper arms, which many women feel self-conscious about in photos. They help define your shoulders and create a slimmer waistline.
7. Don’t Go Overboard with Bling
When it comes to jewelry, less is more. Skip the dangly earrings that swing around or long necklaces that fall too low. They can be distracting and too much for a graduation. Also, sparkle and shine might look great at night, but they don’t photograph well in the daytime. Keep your makeup and hair classic and simple—this isn’t the time for a nightclub look. Aim for sophistication to complement the big day!
More Mother of the Graduate Posts to Help You Decide What to Wear
Modern Mother of the Graduate Outfits from Real Graduations!
What to Wear to a Graduation Ceremony: Outfit Ideas for Mothers
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I would appreciate your input on how you keep your teeth so white :) Thank you!
Hi Carolyn, I’m pretty lucky because my teeth are fairly white. I might use Crest white strips a couple of time a year and I get my teeth cleaned every 4 months but that’s about it!
Thank you for searching out some new dresses for graduations. I’ve been looking but have not been successful in the mall. Appreciate your help and insight, always!