Graduation is a major milestone in any man’s life, whether you’re saying farewell to high school or celebrating the completion of a college degree. In addition to being a significant achievement, graduation does come with its own set of unknowns, from the day of the ceremony to post-grad life.
In this guide, we’ll give men some essential tips to get ready for graduation and everything that comes after.
Prepare for Graduation Day
The day of your graduation marks the turning point between your old academic life and your new phase of adulthood. It’s a momentous occasion that understandably requires some preparation and forethought.
To best prepare for graduation day, make sure you send out invites to those you’d like to attend well in advance of the ceremony. Your school may have limits as to how many guests you can invite, so be sure to confirm an acceptable number of attendees prior to mailing out envelopes or clicking “send” on e-vites.
To feel and look your best on the big day, take time to complete any necessary self-care or grooming practices. For example, many men may wish to get a fresh haircut or a custom-fitted pair of pants – such tasks will need to be scheduled or ordered at least a few weeks in advance.
Last but not least, take time and care to select your graduation day outfit. Your school may have some specifications on what to wear under your cap and gown, but other than loose dress code requirements, your ensemble will be largely up to you. Consider something semi-formal that you’ll also be comfortable in – grad ceremonies can be long! – such as a dress shirt and dress pants.
Find Your First Full-Time Job
Find Your First Full-Time JobYou’ve done the hard work of studying – now it’s time to buckle down and find work. Whether you’re holding a high school diploma, GED, or college degree, you’ll need a few other assets to impress prospective employers and demonstrate that you’re the best man for the role.
Start by updating your resume to reflect your graduation from your institution, and the certificate or degree you’ve successfully obtained. (If you don’t already have a resume at this stage, you’ll definitely need to create one. It will serve as a living document for the remainder of your working life.) List highlights of your academic and professional careers, respectively, and feel free to include mention of personal interests and skills in addition to your work-related strengths.
For each job you apply to, include a brief cover letter explaining what intrigued you to apply and how your unique skill set will satisfy the needs of the role and benefit the company. If necessary, include a portfolio of previous work as well. Note that assignments and projects you’ve completed in school can be included!
You will also want to have at least three trustworthy references lined up. References act as points of contact for hiring parties, who will ask them about your credentials and qualifications. You want people who will speak highly of your merit to be references. These could be previous employers, academic colleagues, internship supervisors, or former professors.
Finally, plan out a professional, appropriate outfit for Interview Day. Different jobs will naturally have different expectations for attire. For instance, applying for an entry-level job out of high school could be complemented by a quality polo and jeans, whereas a corporate position will demand something more elevated, such as a blazer and semiformal slacks. If necessary, look up “outfit ideas” that correspond to the industry to which you’re applying to ensure your interview aesthetic is hitting the right marks.
Prepare for Higher Education
If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree, you may be moving next into higher education, whether that be a master’s degree, law school, or medical school. If this applies to you, you’ll want to consider enhancing your current wardrobe with new pieces, as higher education necessitates a higher echelon of decorum and dress.
Many men make it through college wearing styles similar to those they donned in high school, but graduate education deserves a more refined apparel collection. Consider investing in quality staple pieces such as crewneck sweaters, cardigans, sweater vests, turtlenecks, and upscale belts. Just one of each of these styles can be mixed and matched with a virtually endless assortment of pants and accessories, ensuring a wide selection of different looks to meet whatever occasion higher education throws your way, from day-to-day classes to conferences to internships.
Begin Building Your Professional Wardrobe
Whatever career path you take, you’ll need some new clothes to start off post-grad life on the right foot. Building your professional wardrobe doesn’t have to be done overnight, and indeed, most men acquire work-friendly style pieces over numerous years or even decades.
We’ve already alluded to some menswear styles that may become hallmarks of your workplace dress: blazers, dress shirts, slacks, etc. It’s undoubtedly important to have these items in your closet if they match your professional dress code.
A standard professional wardrobe for men should include one to two quality blazers, preferably made of cotton or wool, as well as three to five dress shirts (several in solid, a couple in patterns), and two or more pairs of work-appropriate pants. You’ll also need a few premium leather belts to tie the looks together.
If your work permits it, you may be able to express more personality in your everyday dressing preferences. If your job is more casual, you may be able to get away with a luxury t-shirt and jeans. Statement pieces such as art-inspired sweaters or quarter-zips may be integrated into your look-book as well. Before going too crazy with purchasing new menswear, however, you should take a few months to get a feel for how your coworkers and higher-ups dress. Once you’ve determined the “vibe” of the workplace dress code, it will be much easier to find and select pieces for your professional wardrobe.
Discover Your Post-Grad Personal Style
It can be a big shift for many men to transition from what they wore in high school or college to “grown up” or professional apparel. Fortunately, it’s not a change you have to figure out on your own.
SAINT CROIX offers free personal styling sessions to new and existing clients of our luxury menswear stores. We encourage you to book a free appointment at one of our storefronts today, where one of our personal stylists will walk you through the process of discovering your post-grad personal style, from initial consultation to try-ons to custom-tailoring the colors, designs, and pieces that you’d like to incorporate into your refreshed and refined wardrobe.
Whether you want to look your best on graduation day or set yourself up to dress for success for everything that comes after, it’s easy to get started. Send us a Personal Styling Request today, or learn more about the benefits.
