What to Wear for Grad Photos

You just booked your appointment but now, what to wear?!

We get a lot of questions about what to wear for grad photos, so we’ve put together this list of suggestions and outfit ideas to get you inspired.

Please know that no matter what you choose to wear, you and your academic achievements are what matters. You’ve worked really hard for this moment and you should be proud of it. That’s what grad photos are intended to capture.

Buying an #artonadress might be an option for some, but it’s not a necessity. Your outfit doesn’t have to be trendy or brand new — just wear something that reflects who you are. That being said, since graduation is such an important milestone, it is a good idea to dress up a bit. It really is up to you how fancy you want to be, but keep in mind that this is traditionally a formal occasion.

For your individual session, don't worry about bringing the cap and gown — we have you covered. The only thing to keep in mind is the V neckline. Wearing a collared shirt or a high neckline will show when wearing the gown. If you don't want anything to show, you can wear a V neck shirt.

The "casual photos" are much more personal, although they're actually not that casual. These are the photos you get to take in your own outfit, so can show off your style and any props you might bring along. We’ve put together some common looks to give you some ideas:

Classic Black

Lots of students choose to wear black and for plenty of good reasons: it’s a timeless, classic look that won’t date your photos in the years to come. It also really makes you stand out in the white room!

Suit Up or Suit Down

Suits are great for formal occasions but that doesn’t mean you have to wear a full three-piece to your grad photos (but if you do, you’ll be 👌). If you don’t have a suit, dress pants and a crisp shirt will do perfectly.

Don’t Be Afraid to Wear Patterns or Colour

Even though we say dark colours are a good choice, that doesn’t mean you can’t go colourful. If colour is your thing, go for it! Your photos will shine as bright as you are.

Congratulations graduate! Smart looks really good on you — it really doesn’t matter what you wear.

Was this post helpful? In case you still have questions, here are some more FAQs on what to wear:

Do I have to wear a dress? No! You can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

What if I don't have a suit/tie/dress shirt and can't afford a new one? You have a few options:

1. Try looking at second hand stores. They usually have tons of dress shirts that are in good shape, since most people don't wear them often. Thrifting will help save you some $$ and it also benefits the environment by not buying into fast-fashion

2. Ask family members if you can borrow theirs

3. Let us know. We have extra dress shirts and ties at our studios for anyone who is stuck.

What if I don't want to do casual photos in my own outfit? Can I just do the regalia ones?

Yes. We usually recommend that you take advantage of the full session but if it's not your thing, that is totally okay.