The best graduation dresses to shop, according to a stylist

When it comes to events, we always want to make sure we have the best dresses on the market. With graduation being one of the biggest occasions you could celebrate in your lifetime, it's no surprise you'll want to be looking mint.

Trawling through ASOS, Boohoo, In The Style and everything in between, everybody seems to have occasionwear or wedding guest dress selections that you can grab styles from. Still, though, it can be totally overwhelming to find what you really want_._

So, DW gals, because we've found the BEST graduation dresses you'll want to snap up this year. After years of studying (or, ahem socialising) for that degree, you'll be the best dressed when you walk up to collect it.

We've even got the experts in to tell us all about what we should be wearing to the big day so that you know exactly what you're looking for. You deserve to celebrate you.

Smile for the camera, pls.

Graduation dress buying: Tips from the experts

So what about the buying process? Whilst we can be a little apprehensive about spending our dollar, Martine Alexander (@martinealexander), Celebrity Stylist and Wardrobe Concierge, gives us the lowdown:

Buy something you can wear again

Don't overspend on something you may never wear again, Martine says: "You want to think of the cost per wear of what it is you’re buying. For graduation or a big event, people tend to spend quite a lot of money and you wanna make sure that it's something you can dress down (think with trainers or in winter with big boots and a coat) or dress up (with events, evenings and nights out). Make sure there are multiple ways to style this so that cost per wear is low."

Always consider rental, too

"If you don’t want to buy you can always rent; there are loads of amazing rental places out there, whether you want to hire a designer bag or designer dress. It doesn’t always have to be designer too, there are loads of places out there."

Make sure to talk to your friends

To make sure you don't turn up with the awkward moment of wearing the same dress, Martine suggests making a group chat with your pals. "Talk about everything you’re going to wear so that no one turns up in the same thing. I think this is a brilliant idea. Some people like the element of surprise and some don’t, but it gives you the comfort of knowing you’re not going to stick out like a sore thumb."

Opt for something that won’t crease and isn't skin-tight

"You’ll be sat down for most of the day so opt for something that doesn’t crease and isn’t skin tight. If you’re going for lunch or dinner and you’re wearing something skin-tight you may bloat after eating or drinking. Go for a dress with a little bit of room in it so that if you are eating you won’t feel self-conscious."

Let's just write that down...

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.