Midi graduation dresses for the stage and the dinner after

Under the robe, then without it

A long robe usually leaves a few inches of skirt peeking out at the bottom. That strip is what everyone sees during the ceremony, so pick a color you like next to black or navy. Burgundy, emerald, powder pink and white all sit nicely against a dark robe.

Then the robe comes off. You’re at a restaurant at six, it’s warm inside, you’re hugging people. That’s when the neckline and sleeves matter.

Velvet for a December or January stage

Winter halls get cold, and the parking lot’s colder. Our emerald velvet wrap has long sleeves and a soft V, and you set the waist yourself with the belt, which is handy when dinner runs until midnight. A thin gold chain near the neckline makes the green look warmer.

In powder pink, our velvet midi keeps the arms and chest covered, then shows a little leg through a slit as you walk. Nude pumps on a slim heel look best, since the slit shows them off. Pearls, a low bun.

Lavender velvet is quieter, and that soft color takes the edge off its slit. Silver earrings, gray or nude heels. Blue, cut with a boat neckline that lies along the collarbones, suits a family celebration, worn with pearls or silver and an ankle boot under the hem.

For any velvet graduation midi dress, we’d say bring the shoes you’ll wear on stage to your fitting. Velvet goes in cool water, inside out, and gets steamed from the wrong side, never ironed on the pile.

May and June ceremonies

Warm-weather styles are hidden from the catalog from September through February. The beige satin wrap in polyester and elastane keeps your arms covered for a ceremony where bare shoulders feel wrong. Floral wraps with short sleeves and V-necks come in pink, mint, white and more. They’re easy with flat sandals on a lawn.

Frequently asked questions

Which size should I pick?

Go by the table on the dress. We sew every one in XS to XL, and an L is near a US 10.

Is velvet too hot for an outdoor June ceremony?

Usually, yes. Save it for winter and look at the satin and floral midis instead.

Can a midi be white for graduation?

If your school allows it, of course. There’s a page of white graduation styles, and shorter hems are among the short dresses for graduation.

Where’s everything else?

All lengths sit together on the graduation page, and you’ll find the non-graduation ones with our midi dresses.