Graduation is a celebration. It’s a time to recognize the past four years of hard work. In fact, it’s the biggest and most important celebration of your college career. It marks an end – undergraduate life is complete, finito, over – and for most students, the real world begins.

And, at a time of great uncertainty, one thing can be for sure: Looking stellar at the pinnacle of your undergraduate career is crucial. Now, there’s no reason to add this to your to-do lists; after all, the answer to the question of what to wear is simple – nothing. It’s a hallmark of graduation, a last hoorah to college freedom, and everyone’s going to do it; right? Wrong! But, lucky for you, this fashion rundown has got you covered, both literally and figuratively.

Eric Tack, the assistant director of Transition Programs, said, “Each graduate should wear their cap and gown with pride.”

He added, “Commencement is a formal affair, and we ask that graduating students and their guests dress professionally.”

UNCW graduates will don black caps and gowns paired with none other than teal and navy tassels at graduation. Now, the gown isn’t particularly figure-flattering for anyone, and caps don’t work for everyone. But, there are ways to make your cap and gown hot and hip.

For men, the easiest way to dress up your cap and gown is with a tie. There are several approaches to choosing the perfect tie for graduation: You can go school-spirited with teal and navy, high-fashion or classic with solids. Either way, ties are a classy, affordable option that can take a simple white shirt and trousers to the next level. Ties also come in varying widths; today, skinny ties reminiscent of the ’50s are popular, but be sure to pick a width that fits your personal style.

Choosing the right dress shirt is another way to add style to a basic look. Pairing a patterned dress shirt with a bold tie, in both color and pattern, is great for adding pop to traditional professional dress.

Trousers and shoes, though often overlooked, are equally as important since they’re still visible during the ceremony. It’s important to note that the caps and gowns are black, and it’s best to choose an outfit that coordinates. Avoiding tan and navy colored trousers is best because those colors are typically paired with brown shoes, and brown shoes look disjointed with a black gown.

For women, the best graduation attire includes a simple but chic spring dress. Though traditionalist in nature, it fits the bill. There are options, though, when choosing the right dress. Color and cut are the most critical of factors. A great A-line dress that ends around the knee is perfect, and though the dress won’t be seen entirely until after the ceremony, if you choose the right one, it will be worth the wait. Bubble dresses are another great cut for graduation; they billow and sway in all the right places and are emphatically demure.

Further, color is a great way to add individual styling to a simply-cut dress. Bold patterns and vibrant colors are popular this spring, and the right color and print on the right person is sure to be a hit – just make sure you feel comfortable in what you wear.

Choosing the right shoe is always important. The answer here is simple: heels. They’re classic, elegant and sexy. Knee-length dresses are a great way to accent great shoes, and typically, sandals work best. Now, that doesn’t exclude the classic pump or the ever-so-popular platform pump, but sandals are great since they’re more consistent with the overall look. In fact, platform sandals balance the look. Aesthetically, they give weight and length to the legs since the dress stops short. The key is to ensure the shoes compliment the look, not dominate it. Also, be sure you can walk in your choice of shoe; walking is what graduation is all about, and no one wants to be “fashion road kill.”

Accessories such as earrings, bangle bracelets and necklaces are other ways to coalesce separates into a great outfit. Accessories polish the look, and most importantly, they’re visible with your cap and gown.

The key to any great outfit is thinking holistically, so when you’re piecing together your graduation ensemble, consider the colors and styles of the season and how they’ll look with the cap and gown.

Congratulations, UNCW class of 2007, and best of luck in the future. Regardless of what career you pursue, whether you’re in an office, on the street or on a stage, remember: You can always be on the catwalk – so stomp it.