Lilac graduation dresses for the stage and the family photo

What actually shows under the cap and gown

Not much, to be fair. A neckline, a few inches of hem and your shoes. Our pleated lilac midi is built for exactly that view. Its round neck sits flat under the gown’s collar, and the fine vertical pleats swing below the gown as you cross the stage and shake a hand you’ve been waiting four years to shake.

Low heels are plenty here. You’ll stand in a hallway for a long while before your name is called, and the pleats look good with a small heel anyway.

This is also the dress we’d hand to a mom or an aunt in the audience. The shade is soft enough to look festive in the family picture without pulling attention off the graduate.

Velvet for a midyear ceremony, satin for a spring one

Winter commencements happen in cold halls. Our lavender velvet midi covers you from a round neckline down to the wrists, and the only skin it shows is a leg through the side slit when you walk. Does a slit feel like too much for a school event? The pale color tones it right down. Thin nude tights and silver earrings are all we’d add, plus a long gray coat for the parking lot.

Spring’s a different story. Our lilac wrap in satin is short, long in the sleeve and sewn from polyester with a little elastane, so it’s satin and not natural silk. The wrap closes into a V and lets you adjust the fit at the waist. It’s part of our summer collection, and we list it again once warm weather arrives. Check the size chart ahead of time if your date is in late spring. A white blazer over it works for the dinner afterward.

All three come in XS to XL. Between two sizes on the velvet? Write to us with your numbers and we’ll name the size to try.

Frequently asked questions

Will lilac clash with the color of my gown?

Against black, navy or white it looks clean. With a bright red or green gown, let only the hem show during the ceremony and unzip for pictures later.

Which one is easiest to sit in for two hours?

Our pleated midi. The pleats give the skirt room, and it’s the calmest of the three.

How do I keep the pleats sharp before the big day?

Hang the dress with the folds straightened and go over it with a steamer on low. Never press pleats flat with an iron.

What if I’d like a deeper shade?

Look at our purple picks for graduation, or see every color on the main graduation page. For lilac beyond the ceremony, there’s the everyday lilac selection.