PICK AN OUTFIT THAT WILL LEAVE A GOOD IMPRESSION

What do you want your dress to say about you? “I’m a  professional,” sounds just about right. So nothing too fussy, but definitely not something that blends with the crowd. Remember that you’re going to be surrounded by possible colleagues (especially if you’re pursuing life as an academic,) so curb the urge to go all hot mama on your outfit. Be the version of yourself who is taken seriously. So think in simple lines with a bold accent.USE LONG-LASTING, LOW-MAINTENANCE MAKEUPYou’re probably not going to want to continually have to check and touch-up your makeup, so natural and simple is always better, especially since you will probably be in an environment that isn’t friendly to heavy makeup and elaborate hair. This doesn’t mean that you go there uncoiffed or devoid of makeup—kick up what you look like on a daily basis. If you’re the lip-gloss-and-moisturizer kind of girl, ask your makeup artist for neutral makeup—it’s you, but a polished version of you. Similarly, if you like a full-on face, it would be good to invest in a good primer since this is a long event and say no to the look that requires a touch up every five minutes. Lastly, take a cue from just how funny you found your mother’s graduation picture and go for a more classic look. It will age better.GO FOR SUPPORT AND COMFORT

You may have found the perfect graduation dress, but if your undergarments are uncomfortable, the long hours of this event will seem like years. So invest in a good pair of undies and a well-fitting brassiere. Reconsider the girdle—you may be tucked in in all the right places, but how much time do you want to spend for bathroom breaks? Better yet, keep that in mind when choosing to buy these kinds of body helpers. And remember, you may be wearing a huge toga most of the time, so your suffering may all be for nothing. Similarly, the stockings may make you feel polished, but in the heat of a school auditorium, you may feel stifled. One more tip: make sure to moisturize, and try to find a light moisturizer that doubles as a mosquito repellent.

FOLLOW YOUR SCHOOL’S GRADUATION DRESS CODE

The dress code for you graduation is most likely dictated by the length of your toga. Some schools prefer that your skirt peeks only slightly from beneath your rented toga, so keep that in mind when choosing a hemline. This is the same for the length of your sleeves: some togas for masteral or doctorate graduates have extra details on the sleeves, so consider going short-sleeves or even sleeveless. Definitely take a look at your toga before you consider buying a dress.

Are pants an option? That depends on the school’s rules. So ask around. Ask a professor whose style you admire; she may be able to give you a good idea of what your graduate school thinks is appropriate.

BUY MARCHING SHOES THAT WON’T MURDER YOUR FEET 

Every day may be a runway for you, but perhaps not for the Alexander McQueen ten-inchers. Your shoe choice should be dictated more by the fact that you will be marching into the auditoroum and onto the stage. So if you’re more into ballet flats or sneakers, opt for the kitten heel. You’ll get the lift and the pomp you’re looking for without risking the trip that could bring down you and maybe five of your other batchmates. And as much as you may have grown into a woman who can rock the thigh-highs without irony, remember that the toga is cut at an awkward length, so don’t allow yourself to get cut off even more. Think comfort and ease in walking. If you want to try the heels, practice at least two weeks before—you’ll get killer calves in the process too.

Like your dress, hair, and makeup, the accessories you wear should be what you’re used to, with just a little extra pizzazz. You wouldn’t want to drop a bangle while walking or make as much noise as the brass band or percussion section while you’re marching. Pearls are good, if they’re for you. But if not, think of accessories to underline your face, neck, or hands, and not necessarily to make your exclamation point.In the end, you can wear whatever you want, as long as you toe the line of the school you’re graduating from. Does it really make sense to break the rules when you chose willingly to come back to a school? Besides you’re older now, and you can always slip into something else for the afterparty—you probably don’t have that nasty curfew anymore. Most importantly, enjoy the event—this time, it really is about you. Congratulations!