Common Types of College Graduation Apparel

Generally, college graduates wear two types of grad attire: a hood lined with the official color of the institution that conferred the degree and a cap and gown. They can also wear cords and stoles. First, check out jostens.com for some examples of common types of college graduation apparel. Then, read through this article to determine which kind of grad apparel is right for you.

A cap and gown.

The ceremonial attire for graduates at commencement is called graduation regalia. It consists of a cap and gown, and some universities have fancy hats for doctoral graduates. Some institutions also offer rent, though not available at all institutions.

In the 1950s, graduation caps were gray, but students began wearing different colors after the Civil War. Until the 1960s, color photos were expensive, and therefore, most of these images were black-and-white. Even though academic regalia has evolved over the centuries, some elements remain the same. Here are some examples of some things to look for in graduation regalia. For the most part, though, these items have remained timeless.

A hood 

Hoods must be lined with the official color of the institution conferred the degree. The hood can be lined with more than one color by dividing the field into equal divisions. The lining is made of the same fabric as the shell at the souvenir quality level. If the degree color is not velvet, velveteen is used instead. Other universities may have unique color guidelines for their hoods, so check with your school before ordering.

The colors of the hoods differ depending on the academic achievement of the wearer. For example, graduates of a doctorate in medicine or a doctorate in science wear a hood with the same colors as the university where they earned the degree. The hood also has a cape-like front with panels on the sides across the back. The hood signifies their new position in their fields of study, so choosing the right color for your hood is essential.

A stole

When you plan to wear a stole at your college graduation ceremony, you will first want to choose the type of material to use. Stoles are usually made of satin, although polyester and nylon options are also. While the fabric used will determine the price, you will have a lot of options to choose from, including embroidery or trim. You should consult with your college’s dean to see if a stole is required, as some require special approval from the college.

Steals are worn to signify the field of study that a student has completed. Many academic institutions recognize a single color to represent different fields of study. While college graduation can mean any major, many institutions have their policies. Any four-year college graduate can wear graduation stoles. Greek organizations are often identified by their uniques.

A cord

Many students will choose to wear a cord to honor their academic achievement. This common type of college graduation apparel can have several meanings, depending on which school you are at and which honors you have achieved. Cords come in many colors, including red, gold, blue, and purple. Generally, a cord will be worn with a graduation gown. However, some colleges may require the wearer to wear a cord separately.

College graduation apparel may come in different colors, depending on the honor society the graduate belongs to. For example, students may wear honor cords to signify their academic achievements, such as being members of the Spanish National Honor Society, the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, or the Beta Club. In addition, some colleges and universities allow honor cords to be worn with non-academic clothing. These schools may also enable graduates to wear two or more honor cords.

A doctoral hood

Doctoral robes are the most formal and elegant of all graduation robes. Most doctoral robes are black with chevrons on the sleeves and velvet plackets on the front. Although the robes are usually black, they can be any color if the piping matches the school colors. However, if you are graduating from a college that does not have a school’s colors, a doctoral hood should be light blue to symbolize the color of education.

Doctoral hoods are often worn by Ph.D. and law students. The hoods of honors societies and other organizations can also be worn. While most institutions will use a chevron with a single color, some will use a chevron with two colors. A straight bar is also another option if the color is consistent. If you have multiple degrees, use the hood that represents the highest degree.