Men's Graduation Attire: What to Wear to Your Ceremony

Graduation attire for men sits between business casual and semi-formal, streamlined enough to look sharp under a gown. Since the gown covers most of your outfit, the shirt, tie, and shoes do the visible work, so keep them polished. A well-fitted suit or dress shirt with dress trousers is the reliable move for high school and college alike.

What to wear to a graduation ceremony

Start with the dress code, then dress for the gown and the weather. Most ceremonies land at business casual to semi-formal, so a suit or a shirt-and-trousers combination fits. Here is the quick answer.

Semi-Formal

• What to wear: Navy or gray suit
• Tie: Yes
• Shoes: Black leather

Business Casual

• What to wear: Dress shirt and dress trousers
• Tie: Optional
• Shoes: Black or brown

Formal

• What to wear: Dark suit with a white shirt
• Tie: Yes
• Shoes: Black oxfords

Warm Outdoor

• What to wear: Light suit or separates
• Tie: Optional
• Shoes: Loafers

A few reliable graduation looks:

• A navy suit, white shirt, and black shoes for any ceremony level
• A dress shirt with dress trousers when a full suit is more than you need
• A light suit or separates for a warm, outdoor commencement

What to dress under the gown

The gown is loose and lightweight, so the outfit underneath should stay streamlined and comfortable. Only a few pieces show, and those are the ones to get right.

Shirt

• A collared dress shirt in white or a soft tone looks sharp above the gown
• Choose a breathable fabric like cotton for a warm ceremony
• Keep it crisp, since the collar frames the gown's neckline

Tie

• A tie is optional but adds polish and maturity
• Pick a color that complements the shirt, with a subtle pattern if you like
• College grads often wear ties, while high school grads can skip one

Shoes

• Black leather oxfords or derbies for most ceremonies
• Comfortable soles matter, since ceremonies mean a lot of walking and standing
• Match the belt to the shoes

High school vs college graduation

The setting shapes how formal to go, and the two milestones lean a little differently. Read your school's guidance, then match the level.

High school

• High school graduation attire for men can keep simple with a shirt, trousers, and optional tie
• A full suit works too, in navy or gray
• Skip jeans, sneakers, and shorts, which read too casual

College

• A college graduation outfit men reach for often includes a full suit and a tie
• Ceremonies tend to be longer and more formal, so dress for comfort and walking
• A dark suit with a light shirt photographs well across multiple events

Colors and fabrics by season

A great graduation look starts with the right fit. Answer a few quick questions about your height, weight, and shoe size, and our ​fit process will recommend your sizes. Rentals start at $139 and arrive 14 days before your ceremony, giving you plenty of time to make sure everything fits just right. If something needs to be swapped, free replacements are covered by our Fit Guarantee.

Go through our ​suits, including versatile ​blue suits and ​gray suits, order ​free swatches to match your look, and build your full graduation look from home in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should men wear to a graduation ceremony?

Men should wear business-casual to semi-formal attire to a graduation ceremony, such as a navy or gray suit, or a collared dress shirt with dress trousers and dress shoes. Since a gown covers most of the outfit, keep the shirt, tie, and shoes polished, and check your school's specific dress code.

What do you wear under a graduation gown?

Under a graduation gown, wear a streamlined, comfortable outfit, since the gown is loose and lightweight. A collared dress shirt in white or a soft tone, optional tie, dress trousers, and dress shoes work well. Choose breathable fabrics for a warm ceremony, and keep colors muted to complement the gown.

Do you have to wear a suit to graduation?

You do not have to wear a full suit to graduation, though it is always appropriate. A collared dress shirt with dress trousers and dress shoes meets most business-casual dress codes, especially for high school. College ceremonies lean a little more formal, so a suit and tie is a safe choice.

What is appropriate high school graduation attire for men?

Appropriate high school graduation attire for men is business casual to semi-formal, such as a dress shirt and dress trousers with an optional tie, or a navy or gray suit. Dress shoes finish the look. Avoid jeans, sneakers, shorts, and streetwear, which read too casual for the occasion.

What is a good college graduation outfit for men?

A good college graduation outfit for men is a well-fitted suit in navy, charcoal, or gray with a white shirt, a tie, and black leather shoes. College ceremonies tend to be longer and more formal, so choose comfortable shoes for walking and a breathable fabric if the event runs warm.

What color suit is best for graduation?

Navy, charcoal, and gray are the best suit colors for graduation, since they look sharp under a gown and photograph well across events. Tan or light gray suits warm, outdoor ceremonies. Choose muted tones that complement the gown, and keep the shirt light for clean contrast in photos.