Wearing white for graduation, especially for women, comes from a tradition that started in the early 1900s. The color white became a symbol of new beginnings and formality. It stuck around History Lesson on the White Grad Dress: The tradition of wearing white dresses to graduation can be traced back to the 19th century when women achieving academic milestones were a huge deal. Graduation Dresses: White Dress Edition Camille La Vie 31 of the Best White Graduation Dresses Under $150 for 2024