Final Up to date on February 12, 2025 by Eve Dawes
What footwear ought to I put on for my commencement ceremony? 12 high suggestions for selecting your good commencement footwear and sandals with out sacrificing trend
Commencement footwear and sandals are a kind of issues that usually get ignored however there’s no hiding them. They’re what a whole lot of eyes see underneath your commencement robe whenever you stroll throughout stage to gather your diploma. That’s already nerve-wracking sufficient! So the very last thing you need to be worrying about is your footwear, falling or being uncomfortable when try to be celebrating. So lets test this off the checklist whereas being useful and trendy. In any case, your commencement pictures are one thing you’re going to look again on for years to come back. Don’t let dangerous footwear break it for you! Whether or not you’re strolling on grass, want flats or stilettos (hear me out, I’ll get to that), these are some suggestions and commencement shoe concepts that will help you select probably the most applicable footwear and commencement sandals for you. In addition to one of the best pairs of flats, block heels, stilettos, wedges and cozy footwear for commencement to graduate in type with out breaking an ankle!
This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks.
Suggestions for choosing the proper commencement footwear for you
There are many issues to think about when looking in your good commencement footwear earlier than handing over your bank card:
- Coloration
- Consolation
- Materials
- Climate
- The gown code
- Location: indoors or outside.
- Heels of flats
- Assist the shoe affords
- Breaking them in
- Practising strolling in them
- Type: basic or on development
- How they make you’re feeling
How to decide on your good commencement footwear
12 high suggestions for locating your good sandals and footwear for commencement and the whole lot it is advisable take into account:
1. What shoe shade ought to I put on to my commencement ceremony
Some individuals say to keep away from brightly coloured footwear in favor of neutrals. Whether or not that’s black, white, nude or blush. Different individuals suggest doing a pop of shade as a option to present your persona in a sea of commencement robes. I say, you do you. Put on no matter makes you’re feeling one of the best, you can stroll in and received’t remorse selecting whenever you look again at your commencement pictures in 20 years.
When deciding on heels or flats, take into consideration how lengthy you’re going to be in your toes for. If it’s an extended day of pre, throughout and put up ceremony celebrations otherwise you’re not used to carrying heels, a pair of block or low heels, wedges or flats might be going to be a greater guess than a pair of stilettos or strappy excessive heel commencement sandals. For those who’re a professional at carrying heels or it’s a brief day it won’t matter.
Simply because your commencement robe is white, crimson, or black doesn’t imply your footwear must be that shade, too. It would really feel bizarre carrying footwear that will conflict together with your cap and robe, however embrace it! Commencement robes at all times look higher with an surprising pop of shade.
2. Commencement footwear: ought to I put on heels or flats
You’ll be able to at all times put on flats for strolling on grass and the ceremony after which have your loved ones or mates maintain onto a pair or heels so that you can swap into for pictures. One other concept is to deliver a again up pair in case your unique pair trigger blisters or break. Lots of people keep away from flats as they don’t skinny they give the impression of being nearly as good however there are some actually cute and on development comfortable footwear for commencement in each the flat and heels classes.
3. Materials of your footwear
As a lot as I like satin and suede footwear they don’t are inclined to do too effectively on grass, tough or damp floor. Clearly leather-based will maintain up higher than suede, lace or satin. So undoubtedly take into account the situation when selecting your shoe materials. For those who go for a suede or satin pair you may need to use a stain protector on them earlier than carrying them to your commencement
4. Test the climate
If it’s wanting prefer it’s going to be wet or damp closed toe pumps, loafers or footwear that may maintain up within the rain are your finest guess. As typically rain boots aren’t allowed and do you actually need to be carrying rain boots in your commencement pics.
5. Test your colleges commencement gown code
That is most likely the primary place you’re going to need to begin to assist slender down your seek for commencement shoe concepts. Some gown codes require closed-toe gown footwear for commencement ceremonies solely. Others don’t permit boots or sneakers. So test your gown codes earlier than losing cash on inappropriate footwear.
6. The way to put on stilettos or heeled sandals to commencement
Stilettos, am I mad?…bear with me. For those who love stilettos as a lot as I do, a tip I picked up from engaged on set and going to the races is to slide on heel caps. That means you don’t sink into the grass or clonk throughout the stage. They’re simple simply to pop on and off and are designed for strolling on grass and gravel.
I’m all about perform and practicality with out sacrificing trend. As a result of as a lot as you’ll need one thing comfy, you additionally need a type that displays you and appears nice.
7. Discover commencement footwear that present help
A variety of the time commencement ceremonies are on probably the most unstable floor from grass to gravel. Search for kinds that provide as a lot help as doable. Whether or not that’s ankle straps, arch help or a chunkier heel. Solely you know the way effectively you’ll be able to or can’t stroll in sure kinds of heels.
8. How to decide on the correct kind of commencement heels for you
There are such a lot of kinds of heels to select from. Sq., block heels and wedges do nice on grass, for consolation, help and steadiness. Sq. heels are most likely probably the most trend ahead choice proper now, like a cute pair of braided mules.
Nevertheless, block heels are top-of-the-line choices. I’m not speaking stumpy, frumpy footwear however a trend ahead heel that offers the same peak as a stiletto however with extra stability and which can be a extra glossy and dressy various to wedges. Additionally they are usually one of many simpler kinds to stroll in and effectively as one of many extra comfy and supportive. Because of it’s thicker heel and the truth that a whole lot of them additionally include thicker ankle and foot straps than a whole lot of different strappy stiletto heel commencement sandals.

9. Break them in and apply strolling in them
For those who’re splurging on some new footwear for commencement be sure you’ve at the very least worn them round the home for a bit to interrupt them in first. You can too inform should you’re going to need to put on insoles too for further padding should you’re going to be in your toes a very long time and see if there’s any spots that may rub.
It’s at all times a good suggestion to place a few bandaids in your purse as effectively, simply in case. It’s higher to have them and never want them than to not have them whenever you want them.
Ensure you can truly stroll in them confidently and comfortably earlier than carrying them in your commencement. Nobody desires to face plank on their massive day and to be remembered for that purpose.
10. What are one of the best flat commencement footwear
Flats are one other nice choice for comfortable footwear for commencement. There’s nowhere that claims you need to put on heels. Traditional loafers, crystal embellished ballet flats and Mary Jane’s are 3 on development choices. In any other case pointed toe ballet slippers or mules steadiness out voluminous robe.
11. How do they make you’re feeling
Most significantly, how do your footwear make you’re feeling. You don’t essentially want a brand new pair of footwear however you do want one thing that makes you’re feeling assured. Even higher in the event that they mirror your private type.

12. Be certain your commencement footwear match
It sound apparent, however make sure that they match. Don’t simply attempt to make them work since you love the best way they give the impression of being or as a result of your measurement was offered out.
Test your gown code and what footwear are acceptable in your commencement ceremony however for probably the most half, these kinds are inappropriate:
- Athletic footwear
- Knee excessive boots
- Over the knee boots
- Flip flops
- New footwear – break them in earlier than commencement day.
Store our high picks for one of the best graduations footwear
A variety of these commencement shoe concepts work for extra events than simply footwear in your commencement ceremony so you will get a couple of put on out of them. From comfy flats and loafers to trending platforms, Mary Jane’s, basic heels and stylish commencement sandals. Many of those kinds are available in a couple of shade. So should you like a method click on on it to see what the choices it is available in. I additionally added the whole lot from reasonably priced kinds underneath $50 to one of the best designer footwear for commencement so there’s one thing for everybody.
Congratulations on graduating!
For those who haven’t picked out your commencement gown but, try these 50 cute white clothes for commencement.