How To Wear A Cap For Graduation: The Ultimate Fitting And Securing Guide
Wearing a graduation cap correctly requires positioning the mortarboard flat on the crown of your head, securing it with bobby pins through the inner elastic loop, and ensuring the tassel rests on the right side prior to your degree conferral. Mastering these precise alignment steps prevents common mid-ceremony slips and guarantees immaculate appearance in professional academic portraits.
Anatomy of Academic Regalia and Pre-Ceremony Prep
Securing an academic mortarboard for a commencement ceremony demands an understanding of its structural design and a few key grooming accessories. The traditional graduation cap consists of a rigid square flat top (the mortarboard), a skull-hugging crown, an interior sizing band, and a button at the exact center from which the tassel hangs. Because these caps are typically manufactured in a universal, one-size-fits-all format, they rarely fit head contours naturally without intentional preparation.
To achieve a seamless fitting experience on graduation day, gather the required supplies and review the baseline standards beforehand:
- Essential Gear and Tools: Standard mortarboard cap, matching color tassel, 4 to 8 heavy-duty bobby pins matching your hair color, a handheld mirror, styling clips, and travel-size hairspray.
- Mandatory Prerequisite Knowledge: The front of the cap is designated by the shorter crown slope and an interior tag or sticker. The flat top must remain perfectly parallel to the floor, never tilted backward like a baseball cap or drooping forward over the forehead.
- Time and Budget Benchmarks: Complete the fitting and pinning process 20 minutes before lining up for the procession. Total cost for stabilization accessories is negligible, typically under five dollars for professional-grade bobby pins.
Step-by-Step Mortarboard Positioning and Securing Protocol
Step 1: Identify Front and Back Orientations
Inspect the interior band of the mortarboard to locate the manufacturer's placement tag or sizing sticker, which consistently marks the rear interior panel. If no tag is present, place the cap on your head and identify the side where the crown slopes more steeply; this is the back, while the shallower, flatter slope faces forward. Align the front edge of the cap so it rests approximately one to two inches above your eyebrow line.
Warning: Never wear a graduation cap pushed back on the crown of your head like a headband. This unstable angle alters the center of gravity and makes the cap highly susceptible to displacement from stage winds or walking movements.
Step 2: Establish the Parallel Plane
Place the cap directly downward onto your head, ensuring the square top is completely parallel to the ground. Use a trusted friend or a full-length mirror to verify that the flat board does not pitch upward at a 45-degree angle.
Pro-Tip: If the cap feels loose due to a small head circumference or exceptionally fine hair, fold a small strip of tissue paper or double-sided wig tape and tuck it inside the front interior band to create immediate friction and a snug fit.
Step 3: Pin the Cap to Your Hairstyle
Take the inner elastic loop attached to the center button and slip it over your finger or tuck it out of the way depending on your pinning strategy. Section your hair directly beneath the interior band on both sides above your ears. Insert heavy-duty bobby pins in an "X" formation, sliding them downward through the inner fabric band of the cap and anchoring them firmly into your underlying hair. Use a minimum of four pins—two on each side—and add two more at the back of the crown for outdoor venues prone to wind gusts.
Step 4: Position the Tassel Correctly
Attach the loop of the tassel securely around the center button on top of the mortarboard. For undergraduate and master's candidates prior to the formal conferral of degrees, drape the tassel so it hangs down the right side of your face, resting comfortably against your cheek or jawline. Doctoral candidates typically wear the tassel on the left side throughout the entire ceremony.
Academic Regalia Specifications and Sizing Metrics
| Regalia Component | Standard Dimension / Material | Correct Placement Position | Common Adjustment Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortarboard | 9x9 inches or 10x10 inches rigid pressed board | Parallel to the floor, 1–2 inches above eyebrows | Secure with hidden bobby pins through inner band |
| Tassel | 9-inch rayon or silk cord with a gold charm | Right side pre-ceremony; left side post-conferral | Loop securely around the exact center button |
| Gown | Matte or shiny polyester weave | Hem falling at mid-calf (approx. 8–10 inches off floor) | Steam iron on low synthetic setting to remove folds |
| Hood | Velveteen trim denoting degree field, satin lining | Draped over shoulders with satin lining exposed | Fasten front loop securely to shirt button or gown zipper |
Troubleshooting Common Graduation Cap Disasters
- Root Cause: The cap continually slides forward and blocks your vision because of a smooth hair texture or a head size smaller than the cap's inner circumference.
- Actionable Fix: Create a hidden anchor grid by teasing the hair at your crown with a fine-tooth comb, applying strong-hold hairspray, and crisscrossing four bobby pins tightly through the cap's inner fabric band into the teased hair foundation.
- Root Cause: The mortarboard catches the wind like a sail, threatening to blow away during an outdoor commencement ceremony.
- Actionable Fix: Increase your pin count to eight, utilizing long corrugated bobby pins. Pin horizontally along the front and back bands, weaving the pins deeply through both the cap lining and thick sections of hair.
- Root Cause: The tassel continuously blows across your face or obscures your eyes during flash photography.
- Actionable Fix: Lightly mist the tassel strands with hairspray and press them flat against the side of the cap or your cheek for a few seconds to set the weight and keep it stationary during transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side does the tassel go on before graduation?
Undergraduate and master's degree candidates must wear their tassel hanging on the right side of the mortarboard prior to the official conferral of degrees. During the ceremony, once your degree is formally awarded by the institution's leadership, you will be instructed to transition the tassel across to the left side.
How do you keep a graduation cap from falling off with fine hair?
Fine or slippery hair provides very little friction for the interior fabric band of a mortarboard. Combat this by spritzing your hair with texturizing spray before getting dressed, using textured or crimped bobby pins rather than smooth ones, and anchoring the pins in an intersecting "X" pattern directly through the cap's internal loop.
Can you wear a graduation cap with braids or natural hair?
Yes, graduation caps can easily accommodate box braids, locs, natural coils, or updos by adjusting your pinning strategy. Instead of pinning into the hair, thread your bobby pins directly through the hair accessories, braid foundations, or use a wide headband beneath the cap as a secure anchor base for your pins.
What is the correct way to wear a graduation cap for photos?
For clean, professional portrait framing, ensure the front of the cap sits flat and parallel to the floor rather than tilted toward the back of your head. Keep your chin level, verify that the center button sits squarely on top of the crown, and ensure the tassel hangs neatly down the right cheek without covering your eyes.
Secure your academic milestone with confidence by applying these professional styling and fitting techniques for your upcoming ceremony.
