Graduation regalia is the traditional academic dress worn by students and faculty during commencement ceremonies to symbolize their degree, academic field and achievement. It typically consists of a gown, a cap or tam with a tassel and sometimes, a decorative hood.

1. First, locate the string loop attached to the front of the garment.
2. Pass the hood over your head so that the string is laying on your chest and the velvet showing your degree color is closest to your face.
3. To secure your hood in place, attach the string loop to the button inside your gown.
4. For the last step, it’s helpful to have an extra set of hands. Fix the back of the hood in position by lopping the string over the button.
5. Lastly, fold the edges of the hood over itself to display the inner lining and your school’s colors.

Click here to watch a tutorial on how to wear your college graduation hood.

1. First, let’s start with the gown. Pass your hands through the sleeve openings so that the length of the sleeves hangs down. Make sure your gown matches your height — the sleeves should hit at your wrists and the gown should fall at your mid-calves.
2. Then, zip up your gown, as they are typically worn closed.
3. Place your stole(s) or cord(s) around your neck. Drape your primary stole first, stacking any others on top to keep them visible. Finish by centering your cord(s) over your stole(s) so they hang symmetrically and lie flat.
4. Next, it’s time for the cap/mortarboard and tassel. Attach your tassel to the button on top of the cap with the string loop.
5. When wearing your cap, find the pointed edge and place that in the front. The elastic should go in the back and the cap should sit flat on your head parallel to the ground, not tilted back.
6. Typically, tassels are worn on the right side before you graduate. During the ceremony, you'll be instructed to move it to the left to signify the completion of your degree. For master’s and doctoral degrees, tassels are typically worn on the left.

Watch a tutorial on how to wear your associate/bachelor’s regalia, master’s regalia and doctoral regalia.

1. Start with the gown. Put your arms through the sleeves so the fabric hangs down from your arms. Make sure your gown matches your height — the sleeves should hit at your wrists and the gown should fall at your mid-calves.
2. Next, pull the zipper up, since the gown is usually worn closed.
3. To put on your hood, locate the string loop attached to the front of the garment.
4. Pass the hood over your head so that the string is laying on your chest and the velvet showing your degree color is closest to your face.
5. To secure your hood in place, attach the string loop to the button inside your gown.
6. For the next step, it’s helpful to have an extra set of hands. Fix the back of the hood in position by lopping the string over the button.
7. Then, fold the edges of the hood over itself to display the inner lining and your school’s colors.
8. Next, it’s time for the tam and tassel. Attach your tassel to the button on top of the tam with the string loop.
9. When wearing your tam, the elastic should go in the back, and the tassel should be worn on the left side.

Click here to watch a tutorial on how to wear your doctoral regalia.

1. Put on your gown first. Slip your arms into the sleeves so the extra fabric hangs down from your wrists. Make sure your gown matches your height — the sleeves should hit at your wrists and the gown should fall at your mid-calves.
2. Then, zip up your gown, as they are typically worn closed.
3. Zip the gown up all the way, as it should be worn closed.
4. Pick up your hood and find the small string loop on the front.
5. Slide the hood over your head. The string should rest on your chest, and the colored velvet should be right under your chin.
6. Hook the front string loop onto the button inside your gown to keep the hood in place.
7. Ask a friend for help with the back. Have them loop the back string over the button to hold the rear of the hood steady.
8. Turn the edges of the hood outward so people can see your school’s colors on the inside lining.
9. Now, put on the tam. Use the loop to attach your tassel to the button on top.
10. Place the tam on your head with the elastic band in the back. Make sure your tassel hangs on the left side.

Click here to watch a tutorial on how to wear your PhD regalia.