Your graduation ceremony is an important day commemorating your academic achievements. Look your best when accepting your certificate with these styling tips for your graduation outfit.
Medieval Roots of Graduation Attire vs. Modern Fashion
Graduation gowns and caps were originally worn in the medieval era, with the gowns and the hoods designed to keep students warm. A cappa clausa also used to be worn, a large sleeveless cloak, though this was abandoned by universities like Cambridge and Oxford in the sixteenth century.
The use of gowns was also closely related to the clergy back in medieval times and students were likely to have assumed a position there after their training.
While in the modern era, wearing graduation caps and gowns is no longer a necessity, they are still used for ceremonial events such as graduation and worn as a symbol of heritage and pride in academia.
Modern Graduation Attire
Modern graduation attire is often unique to each university, with each one using their own designs and colour schemes for each degree the graduates are receiving. Anglia Ruskin for example has navy gowns and hoods.
In recent years, a lot of universities and graduation gown companies have begun adopting sustainable practices for making gowns out of recycled plastics, helping to protect the environment and cut down on the use of resources while manufacturing new gowns.
Wearing Your Graduation Gown
The key to wearing your graduation gown with confidence is to make sure you get a gown that fits you perfectly so that you can stay comfortable during your graduation ceremony.
Whether you’re renting a gown or buying one to keep, the first thing you’ll have to do is take your height measurement and compare it to the graduation gown chart provided by the store you’re getting your outfit from. This will ensure it hangs properly when you wear it and won’t be too long or too short.
Securing Your Graduation Gown Hood
For maximum comfort during your graduation ceremony, it’s important to make sure your graduation gown hood is secure, so it doesn’t slip backwards around your neck. This will also help to improve your appearance and make sure the colours on your hood are on full display. The velvet of the hood should be facing upwards while the small tapered end rests on the chest.
There will be a loop of cord on the front of the hood which can be used to secure your hood to a button on your shirt (it’s always a good idea to wear an outfit ensemble with buttons for this very reason).
For maximum styling at your graduation, you can hide the cord with a button.
If you don’t want to wear a buttoned shirt to graduation, you can opt to thread a cord through the hood which can then be fastened either around the waist if you’re wearing a dress or through a belt buckle if you’re wearing trousers.
Personalising Your Graduation Gown
There are a number of ways to personalise your graduation gown to add a bit of extra flair and school pride to your graduation proceedings. While graduation gowns are typically not allowed to be decorated in any way to maintain the formality of the proceedings, you can order custom graduation gowns that can help you to express yourself.
This includes picking the material for your graduation gown, such as eco-friendly recycled plastics, as well as the design of your gown.
You can also customise the colours of your graduation gown picking colours that match the colour scheme and branding of your university to properly celebrate your time at the school and have a special memory to look back on.
Wearing Your Graduation Cap
Having a graduation cap positioned correctly for your graduation ceremony will help you to look stylish and formal when receiving your degree, and keeps you looking sharp and professional for your photographs as well.
To fit your graduation cap, measure the circumference of your head from one inch above your ears and keep the fit of the measuring tape snug but not too tight. When fitting your mortarboard hat, you will need to be sure it fits just right with enough room to accommodate hair thickness.
Positioning Your Graduation Cap
Place the cap on your head so that the pointy end is at the front and rests one inch above the eyebrows. The mortarboard cap must be level on your head, not at an angle, as this will make it more secure and less likely to fall off during the ceremony.
You can also secure the graduation cap with pins to keep it in place. Try to select pins that are neutral or match your hair colour. That way they won’t mar the overall formal look of your graduation outfit and will help to maintain a natural look.
The graduation tassel should dangle from the right side of the mortarboard. After the ceremony, the tassel is often moved to the left side to symbolise your new status as a graduate.
Personalising Your Graduation Cap
Decorative personalisation options for graduation mortarboards will vary from university to university so make sure to check with your school and your faculty that you are allowed to decorate and customise your graduation cap.
In the UK, it isn’t common for students to decorate their graduation caps. Universities prefer to follow the formal regulations of the ceremony and create an atmosphere of honour and respect for the graduation tradition.
If you are allowed to personalise your cap though, there are a number of options you can apply that can you help to confidently express your personality while also still honouring the university:
- University insignia
- University colours
- Themes related to your degree
- Well-wishes from friends and family
What to Wear With Your Graduation Gown
Boost your confidence with a formal or casual formal outfit that will bring your graduation outfit together and match the sincerity and professionalism of your gown and cap.
Suits or smart trousers and shirts are the go-to choice for male graduates while female graduates can opt for pantsuits, dresses or a skirt and blouse combo. For added graduation pride, find outfits that match the colour scheme of your university.
You should also opt for comfortable footwear where possible as you will spending a long day in your shoes and you’ll want a confident stride as you collect your certificate.
Things to avoid when styling your graduation outfit are:
- Casual clothes like jeans, shorts and t-shirts
- Overly high heels
- Revealing clothing
- Bold and flashy jewellery
- Items of clothing with bold patterns
Accessories for Graduation Outfits
Nothing exhibits confidence like the right accessory and graduation outfits are no different. Graduation outfit accessories complete the look and help you to feel positive on your special day.
Graduates can choose simple items of jewellery such as necklaces, earrings, or bracelets in understated colours that match the university colours. If you’re wearing a suit or shirt, a pair of classy cufflinks can tie the outfit together. Simple design cufflinks or ones that symbolise your degree are best.
Hairstyles for Graduation
Female graduates should aim to style their hair with their graduation cap in mind. High ponytails and buns for example will make it difficult for the graduation cap to sit evenly on your head.
Low ponytails and loose hairstyles will help you to look confident and fashionable without sacrificing the formality of the graduation ceremony.
With these tips, you can feel more confident going into your graduation and put in a positive frame of mind for the future beyond your degree. You can shop graduation gowns and caps in our Graduation Attire store and start preparing for your big day.
