The tassel was worth the hassle–it’s time to celebrate all the hard work that led to this unforgettable moment! Graduation season is here, and what better way to mark this milestone than with a show-stopping outfit that reflects your unique personality? This year, Graduation Day fashion is getting a chic upgrade: think sleek pantsuits, elegant long dresses or gowns, and statement mini dresses.
The internet is filled with countless graduation outfit ideas and nail style recommendations, but don’t worry, we’re providing you with the trendiest options. Get dolled up and inspired by these iconic celebrity outfits and minimalist nail pairings!
Nails For A Pink Dress
Ariana Grande channels a modern-day Audrey Hepburn with a hint of Glinda in this soft, muted pink dress (talk about consistency and dedication to her role). Simply put, this look radiates effortless grace and minimalist elegance from head to toe. Inspired by her signature classic French manicures, complete your pink outfit with a subtle light pink French manicure featuring marble accents sprinkled with gold foil.
Nails For A White Dress
The blazer and dress combo is a timeless graduation outfit, never going out of style. Take a cue from Selena Gomez, who stunned in an all-white ensemble during her interview with Jimmy Kimmel. She elevated the look with a bold red lip and short French-tipped nails that truly match her strong yet graceful, kind persona. Opt for a clear builder gel, soft white gel polish, and a true white liner when recreating this nail set.
Nails For A Red Dress
I have to admit–I am loving and living for this sophisticated style shift from our very own King Kylie. A red mini dress is the ultimate power move for graduation, perfectly capturing the confidence and fierceness it takes to step into the next chapter of your life. To balance the intensity of a bright red dress, pair it with a soft pink-nude gel polish like Dip & Dap Duo - DD188 Sweet Temptation.
Nails For A Green Dress
Thanks to TikTok creator lois_995, we got a dreamy glimpse of the multi-talented Sabrina Carpenter during her Short n' Sweet Tour, dazzling in a stunning two-piece emerald green gown. This is the ideal look for an elegant floor-length graduation outfit that makes a statement. Complement the silver accents in her ensemble with a manicure as enchanting: a crushed pink pearl base shade with sparkly white French tip glitter nail.
Nails For A White Pantsuit
Come on, nobody does red carpet fashion quite like Zendaya. Her latest fashion statement at the 2025 MET Gala was a masterclass in modern sophistication and empowerment, and it’s our top pick if you’re leaning toward a tailored and groundbreaking pantsuit for graduation. Steal her deep and classy red manicure with DD238 - Scarlet Letter and a high-shine top coat finish that embraced fire and boldness.
Nails For A Yellow Dress
Our badgalriri never misses–period. The soft pastel, buttery yellow midi dress she wore during one of her Fenty Beauty product launches is perfect for a fresh, spring-to-summer graduation look. Bringing even more softness to the look, Rihanna opted for a beauty staple: the long French manicure. Try this at home with our pink nude and white Sculpture Gels for clean, elongated fingertips.
Nails For A Blue Dress
Tapping into the spring palette with a minimalist twist? Leave it to Hailey Bieber to make it look effortless. Her elegant boat-neck, form-fitting baby blue mini dress is one of the trending short dresses, spot on for your graduation day. No other color complements baby blue better than baby pink, so create a soft, flattering contrast with the crowd favorite Dip & Dap Duo - DD009 Ballerina Gown.
Nails For A Black Dress
Black will always be the epitome of chic; just look at the 2025 MET Gala after-party dress of Kendall Jenner. Her sleek black vintage dress with a tilted hat is the fashion formula for an old-money, rich aesthetic. She kept her nails understated with a clean, plain medium nude manicure, but if you want to add a little edge for graduation day, take it up a notch with a deep brown side French.
Nails For A Purple Dress
Proving once more that jewel tones (particularly deep purples) are made for her, Anne Hathaway is here to remind you that she is THE embodiment of the Winter color palette. If you fall into the same seasonal color category, a luscious, cool-toned purple is guaranteed to make you glow on graduation day. Go completely monochromatic down to your nails and toes with a lovely lavender gel polish or dip/acrylic powder; it’s subtle yet cohesive to the overall look.
Congratulations, you made it to your graduation and the end of this blog! 🤭 We hope you found the outfit and nail combo that suits your style. Tell us your favorite celebrity-inspired graduation day look in our iGel Beauty Facebook Community, or tag us on Instagram (@igelbeauty) with your creations for a chance to be featured. Cheers to unbreakable bonds and new beginnings!
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Written by Alyssa Bueno on May 14, 2025
Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With a diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the latest trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
