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Style Blog: Top Dress Picks for Grad Ball

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Nottingham chapter.

 

If you’re like me and are nearing the end of your university life (sob), you’ll know that aside from all the stress of finals and your dissertation there is the anticipation of the big finale, the Graduation Ball. Wait, that means you’re going to need a dress! Even more stress (dress-stress!). Finding the perfect dress can be a nightmare, it’s like school prom time all over again. You don’t want to go looking like one of those dollies that covers old ladies loo rolls and you don’t want to get there and look horrendously underdressed either. I spend hours trawling through fashion websites each week and so I thought I’d put my revision break to good use and pick out some candidates for Grad Ball dresses for any of you ladies worrying about the ‘big day’!

Never Fully Dressed Black Pleated Maxi Dress £49 – This is probably the most ‘casual’ of the dresses I’ve chosen but with the right accessories could be dressed up and be ball-worthy. The soft flowing pleated material is the perfect summer style and a gold statement necklace, cocktail ring and some heels with gold hardware would set it off perfectly. The belt comes with the dress but could easily be changed for something a little more glam to make the perfect evening outfit.

Missguided Abelone Bandeau Pleated Maxi Dress in Mint £44.99 – Bandeau styles are perfect for summer events and the pastel mint colour of this dress would help you stand out too! The mirrored effect belt is perfect for an evening occasion and accessories could be matched to this. I think a pair of chandelier earrings and a neutral makeup look with nude nails would complement this dress perfectly.

Warehouse Abstract Print Maxi Dress £110 – A little on the pricey side, but you pay for what you get. This dress is 100% silk and I can honestly say that silk items from Warehouse are always beautifully made and excellent quality, not to mention light and soft on the skin! Worth every penny! The split up the side of the dress adds to the floaty effect. A side-bun updo and some statement earrings would show off the one shoulder detail to its full potential too!

Glamorous Black Cut Out Shoulder and Waist Maxi Dress £33 – This beautiful Glamorous dress, as seen on the equally beautiful Millie Mackintosh, would be perfect for anyone wanting to cover their arms, or those who are a little more daring with the cut out detail! Some stacked gold bangles and rings and a red lip would look great against the black background of this dress.

Miss Selfridge Nude Halter Neck Swing Dress £42 – And finally, something a little different. I noticed that I’d just assumed maxi dresses would be the style of choice, but for those girls who prefer something a bit shorter, I’ve picked this nude swing dress. It’s made from a silk-look material and would complement silver or gold jewellery, maybe even a few pearls too! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Louise from Made In Chelsea wearing this little number, and to me she rarely puts a foot wrong style-wise, so who better to endorse my choice!

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine student at the University of Nottingham. I love all things catty and anything fashion related. I probably shop too much, probably..
Maddie studies American Studies at the University of Nottingham and is in her 4th year. She joined the Her Campus team on her year abroad at University of Illinois as a social media intern and now she and Anna are excited to open the University of Nottingham's chapter this September.