How To Wear A Cap Graduation: The Ultimate Academic Regalia Guide
Wearing a graduation cap correctly requires positioning the mortarboard flat on the crown of the head with the longer point facing the back, securing it with bobby pins, and draping the tassel on the right side before the ceremony. Achieving a secure, photogenic fit prevents the cap from shifting or sliding off during the processional and stage walk.
Preparing for a commencement ceremony involves strict adherence to academic regalia traditions that date back centuries. Whether you are graduating with a high school diploma, bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate, wearing your mortarboard or tams correctly ensures compliance with institutional standards and elevates your graduation day experience.
Pre-Ceremony Preparation and Academic Regalia Checklist
Understanding the anatomy of your graduation cap and gathering the correct anchoring tools ensures you avoid wardrobe malfunctions on stage. The traditional graduation cap consists of a stiff cardboard or plastic square top known as the mortarboard, a skullcap base, a button on top, and an attached tassel.
- Essential Gear and Materials: Graduation cap, institutional tassel, 4 to 6 matching bobby pins or hair grips, double-sided fashion tape, and a hand-held mirror.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with the exact moment your institution mandates moving the tassel from the right side to the left side during the commencement exercises.
- Time and Budget Benchmarks: Allocate 10 to 15 minutes before getting dressed to prep your hair and secure the cap. Total cost for emergency securing supplies runs under five dollars.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Wearing a Graduation Cap
Step 1: Determine Front and Back Orientation
Inspect the underside of your mortarboard skullcap to identify the correct front and back orientation. Most manufacturers place a small paper tag or an elastic band inside the rear inner rim of the headband.
Pro-Tip: Run your finger along the inner band; the side with the elastic or the sizing tag always goes against the back of your head near the nape of the neck.
Step 2: Position the Mortarboard Level on Your Head
Place the graduation cap directly on the crown of your head, ensuring the flat top surface runs parallel to the floor rather than tilted backward at an angle like a headband. The front edge of the mortarboard should sit approximately one to two inches above your eyebrows, centered directly above the bridge of your nose.
Warning: Never wear a graduation cap pushed too far back on the crown of your head, as this exposes you to wind catches and increases the risk of it falling off when you bow your head.
Step 3: Attach the Tassel to the Correct Side
Before the ceremony begins, loop the tassel's hanging cord around the center button of the mortarboard and let the bulk of the fringe drape down the right side of your face. Undergraduate students typically wear the tassel on the right, signifying that they have not yet received their degree.
Step 4: Secure the Cap with Bobby Pins
Anchor the cap firmly to your hairstyle using bobby pins that match your hair color. Slide at least two bobby pins horizontally or in an X-shape through the inner fabric band of the cap and anchor them securely into your hair strands.
Pro-Tip: Spray your bobby pins lightly with strong-hold hairspray or dry shampoo before insertion to maximize friction against slippery graduation hair products.
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Graduation Cap Specifications and Sizing Metrics
| Regalia Component | Standard Material | Dimension / Placement Specification | Traditional Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortarboard Top | Compressed cardboard with cotton/poly fabric | 9 inches by 9 inches square | Represents the shape of a mason's mortarboard tool |
| Skullcap Base | Fitted buckram or elastic stretch band | Sized XS to XXL based on head circumference | Secures the rigid board to the skull |
| Center Button | Plastic core wrapped in matching fabric | Centered exactly at the intersection of diagonals | Anchor point for the academic tassel |
| Tassel Cord | Rayon or silk threads with metallic clasp | 9 inches long with a hanging loop | Color-coded to signify specific fields of study |
Common Graduation Cap Failures and Field Fixes
- Problem: The mortarboard slides forward over the eyes or falls backward constantly.
- Root Cause: The skullcap is too large for your head circumference, or the hair underneath lacks sufficient texture for bobby pins to grip.
- Actionable Fix: Apply double-sided fashion tape to the inside front rim of the cap and press it firmly against your forehead or hair. Alternatively, fold a small piece of tissue paper inside the rear inner band to tighten the fit.
- Problem: The tassel continuously blows across your face in outdoor winds.
- Root Cause: Lightweight tassel threads easily catch crosswinds during outdoor stadium ceremonies.
- Actionable Fix: Conceal a tiny drop of clear craft glue or hair gel on the inner strands of the tassel to weigh it down, or tuck the tassel loop temporarily behind your ear until the stage walk.
- Problem: Messy hair or flat locks after removing the cap for post-ceremony photos.
- Root Cause: Heavy pressure from the rigid buckram skullcap compresses crown hair roots.
- Actionable Fix: Pack a travel-size texturizing spray or dry shampoo in your celebration bag, lift your hair at the roots, and tousle gently with your fingertips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side does the tassel go on before graduation?
Undergraduate candidates must wear their tassel on the right side of the mortarboard prior to the official conferral of degrees. Master's and doctoral candidates frequently wear the tassel on the left side throughout the entire ceremony because their advanced degree status is already established.
How do you keep a graduation cap on if you have short or fine hair?
Secure a small headband that matches your hair color directly underneath the graduation cap skullcap, then anchor your bobby pins into the headband rather than your hair. This technique provides a sturdy structural anchor that prevents the cap from sliding off smooth or fine hair textures.
Can you decorate the top of your graduation cap?
Many high schools and universities permit students to decorate the flat surface of their mortarboard using rhinestones, paint, or fabric cutouts, provided the decorations remain flat and do not obstruct the view of graduates behind them. Always check your specific institutional commencement guidelines before applying any adhesives.
What is the correct way to flip the tassel during the ceremony?
Wait for the presiding academic official or university president to instruct the graduating class to move their tassels. Use your right hand to grab the tassel and sweep it in an arc across your face to the left side, signaling your transition from student to official graduate.
Mastering your academic regalia ensures you look polished, confident, and photogenic throughout your commencement exercises. Step onto that stage with your mortarboard perfectly leveled, your tassel properly positioned, and your future fully unlocked.
