Graduation is a huge accomplishment—whether you’ve just finished high school, college, or grad school. And since graduation photos are the kind of thing that sticks around forever, celebrating the day in a gorgeous dress (or jumpsuit!) is a must. After all, if your ensemble will be framed in your grandma’s living room for years to come or displayed all over your family’s Facebook pages, that’s more than enough reason to put a little thought into your OOTD. The key to plus-size graduation dresses and jumpsuits, of course, is to find pieces that are equal parts cute and comfortable. (Simple, but necessary.)
Unless your class is fewer than 10 people, graduation ceremonies typically involve quite a bit of waiting around before you actually receive that frame-worthy diploma. Hence the importance of comfort when selecting a dress for the occasion. (!) Opt for a piece that’s easy to sit in for long periods of time—like dresses with breathable fabrics and flowy silhouettes. Of course, if a bodycon mini or form-fitting corset dress is your go-to for every occasion, that’s fine too. Whatever feels most comfortable for you is your best bet here.
Another tip? Keep the location of your graduation in mind. If the ceremony is indoors, an itty bitty mini dress might leave you freezing when the air conditioning turns on. And if you’re outdoors on a warm day, thick or unbreathable fabrics can cause you to overheat. Check the weather—then check it again. The excitement surrounding graduation can be overwhelming, so preparing for a specific location before the actual day will likely save you from wearing an ensemble you wish you hadn’t. (Because let’s be real—we’ve all been there.)
Thankfully, plus-size graduation dresses for any type of ceremony are available in droves. From gorgeous maxi dresses in bold prints to classic, neutral mini dresses you’ll wear long after the big day, there’s a little something for everyone. Frankly, as long as you feel cute and comfortable—and your graduation gown fits over the dress!—you can’t go wrong. Congrats, grad.
Here at Unruly, we’re committed to featuring plus-size pieces we genuinely love and want to share with you. We’re connected to an affiliate revenue program, which means we might make a small commission when you buy products through our shopping guides. This in no way affects pieces we choose to feature, and it never will. (Confused? We’d love to answer any questions you have about this. Email us at beunrulyinfo@gmail.com!)
1. Plus-Size Cami Maxi Dress
shop the look — $34.99 from Forever 21
2. Eyelet Embroidery Dress
shop the look — $44.99 from H&M
3. Forever That Girl Effie Eyelet Mini Dress
shop the look — $228 from Anthropologie
4. Coral Ruffle Hi-Lo Maxi Dress
shop the look — $75.50 from Torrid
5. Pilcro Lace Tiered Midi Dress
shop the look — $188 from Anthropologie
6. Serene Dress
shop the look — $69.95 from A’Beautiful Soul
7. Plenty by Tracy Reese Ruffled Maxi Dress
shop the look — $198 from Anthropologie
8. Plus-Size Polka Dot Dress
shop the look — $24.99 from Forever 21
9. Majorie Dress
shop the look — $79.95 from A’Beautiful Soul
10. Plus-Size Ditsy Frill Mini Dress
shop the look — $19 from Missguided
11. Plus-Size Crochet Waist Dress
shop the look — $32.99 from Rue21
12. Hope & Ivy Plunge Floral Embroidered Midi Tea Dress
shop the look — $174 from ASOS
13. Davina Dress
shop the look — $130 from Never Fully Dressed
14. Full Printed Jumpsuit
shop the look — $139.95 from ELOQUII
15. Marlowe Dress
shop the look — $98 from Reformation
16. Cordelia Wrap Dress
shop the look — $145 from Never Fully Dressed
17. Empire Gathered Midi Dress
shop the look — $119.95 from ELOQUII
18. Challis Smocked Tiered Midi Dress
shop the look — $69.50 from Torrid
19. Cotton:On Tie Strap Ruffle Dress
shop the look — $40.59 from ASOS
20. A New Day Sleeveless Smocked Dress
shop the look — $29.99 from Target
21. Plus-Size Tiered Cami Dress
shop the look — $29.99 from Forever 21
22. Vale Linen Dress
shop the look — $248 from Reformation
23. Plus-Size Embroidered Floral Dress
shop the look — $44.99 from Forever 21
24. Plus-Size Puff-Sleeve Wrap Smock Midi Dress
shop the look — $38.50 from Nasty Gal
25. Plus-Size Ruched Poplin Dress
shop the look — $31 from PrettyLittleThing
26. Plus-Size Ditsy Floral Puff-Sleeve Wrap Midi Dress
shop the look — $22 from Boohoo
27. Maggy London Clip Dot Ruffle Midi Dress
shop the look — $158 from Nordstrom
28. Daria Dress
shop the look — $268 from WRAY
29. Plus-Size Daisy Floral Ruffle Maxi Dress
shop the look — $18 from Boohoo
30. Ruffle Printed Dress
shop the look — $99.99 from Mango
31. Plus-Size Cheesecloth Tiered Maxi Dress
shop the look — $20 from Boohoo
32. Tie-Back Puff-Sleeve Dress
shop the look — $99.95 from ELOQUII
33. Plus-Size Puff-Sleeve
shop the look — $28 from Boohoo
34. Leopard Mini Trapeze Dress
shop the look — $59.50 from Torrid
35. Plus-Size Button Linen Look Midi Dress
shop the look — $34 from Nasty Gal
36. Ivey Midi Dress
shop the look — $79.95 from A’Beautiful Soul
37. Woven Button Front Midi Dress
shop the look — $69.50 from Torrid
38. Floral Print V-Neck Sleeveless Plus-Size Jumpsuit
shop the look — $42.99 from Old Navy
39. ModCloth x Princess Highway Floral Shift Dress
shop the look — $79 from ModCloth
40. The Dawn Dress
shop the look — $198 from Christy Dawn
41. Simply Be Skater Dress With Ruched Sleeves
shop the look — $40 from ASOS
42. Plus-Size Button-Front Puff-Sleeve Shift Dress
shop the look — $31 from PrettyLittleThing
43. Ruffled Floral Print Dress
shop the look — $119.99 from Mango
44. Birdie Dress
shop the look — $265 from WRAY
45. Flowy Flower Printed Dress
shop the look — $99.99 from Mango
46. Plus-Size Tiered Frill Smock Dress
shop the look — $18 from Boohoo
47. Button Knit Dress
shop the look — $79.99 from Mango
48. Plus-Size Ditsy Floral Strappy Maxi Dress
shop the look — $20 from Boohoo
49. Plus-Size Polka Dot Wrap Dress
shop the look — $31 from PrettyLittleThing
50. Wrap Skirt Dress
