How To Wear A Cap Graduation: The Ultimate Fitting And Styling Masterclass
Securing a graduation cap correctly requires positioning the mortarboard flat on the crown of your head, exactly one inch above your eyebrows, with the elastic band resting snugly at the back. Adhering to these precise positioning standards and utilizing strategic anchoring techniques ensures your academic regalia remains stable throughout the entire commencement ceremony without shifting or sliding.
Pre-Ceremony Preparation and Regalia Checklist
Mastering how to wear a cap graduation requires more than simply placing the mortarboard on your head. Preparing your regalia ahead of time eliminates the stress of last-minute adjustments. The traditional mortarboard consists of a stiffened square top, a skull cap base, a button at the exact center, and a tassel attached via a loop. To achieve a secure fit that stands up to wind, walking across stages, and rigorous photo sessions, you need to gather a few essential stabilization aids.
- Essential Equipment and Tools: Your graduation cap, matching tassel, heavy-duty bobby pins (minimum of four to six matching your hair color), a hand-held mirror, and optional double-sided fashion tape or toupee tape for ultra-fine hair textures.
- Prerequisite Standards: Knowing whether your institution mandates tassel placement on the right or left side prior to the conferring of degrees, and understanding the precise academic protocol for your specific degree level (bachelor's versus master's/doctoral variations).
- Time and Setup Benchmarks: Allocate approximately 15 minutes prior to line-up for proper hair preparation, pin placement, and leveling adjustments.
Step-by-Step Graduation Cap Fitting and Securing Workflow
Step 1: Determine the Front and Back Orientation
Inspect the interior band of your mortarboard to locate the adjustment tag or elastic inset. The elasticized portion of the headband must always sit at the back of your head against the occipital bone, while the smoother, rigid front edge faces forward. Placing the cap backward results in an uneven tilt and makes securing the tassel to the correct side awkward.
Warning: Never wear a mortarboard angled backward like a baseball cap. The flat board must remain parallel to the floor at all times to meet traditional academic dress code standards.
Step 2: Establish the Correct Vertical Positioning
Place the cap directly onto the crown of your head, pulling it down until the front band rests approximately one inch above your eyebrow line. Use a hand-held mirror or a peer to check the profile angle: the top board should be completely parallel to the ground, rather than tilted up toward the sky or dipping down over your forehead.
Pro-Tip: If your head circumference is smaller than the standard one-size-fits-all cap, place a folded strip of moleskin or fabric tape inside the interior rear band to create a friction barrier and prevent forward slipping.
Step 3: Anchor the Cap Using Strategic Bobby Pinning
Even with the elastic band, movement and wind can dislodge a cap. Take two matching bobby pins and slide them in an X-pattern (crisscross) through the interior fabric loops or directly under the inner band, anchoring the cap firmly into your hair. For extra security, slide additional pins vertically through the inner crown fabric down into tight hairstyles like braids or updo bases.
Step 4: Position and Manage the Tassel
Attach the tassel loop securely around the center button of the mortarboard. Prior to the ceremony, the tassel traditionally hangs on the right side of the mortarboard for undergraduate candidates. Following the official conferral of degrees by the dean or president, the entire graduating class transitions the tassel simultaneously to the left side. Ensure the strands hang smoothly and do not become twisted around the button loop.
What Color To Wear To Graduation Female: Complete Guide & Key Details ...
Mortarboard Specifications and Styling Options
| Feature/Specification | Standard Undergraduate Mortarboard | Master's/Doctoral Cap (Soft Tam or Mortarboard) | Custom / Decorated Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape & Structure | Rigid square flat board with hard buckram core | Often an 4, 6, or 8-sided velvet soft tam | Same structural base as standard mortarboard |
| Primary Material | Matte or shiny polyester poplin | Rich velvet, cotton-blend, or satin | Cardstock, vinyl decals, rhinestones, floral adhesives |
| Tassel Placement | Right side initially, moving to left post-conferral | Left side for advanced degree candidates | Matches institution standards, often customized |
| Securing Method | Rear elastic band + bobby pins | Inner adjustable drawstring or fitted band | Reinforced bobby pin grid due to top-heavy decorations |
Common Regalia Failures and Field Fixes
- Root Cause: The cap continually slides forward over your eyes due to a slick hair texture or lack of friction.
- Actionable Fix: Apply a strip of double-sided fashion tape to the inside front brow band before placement, or create an anchor grid using four crisscrossed bobby pins hidden beneath the side bands.
- Root Cause: The mortarboard catches the wind like a sail and threatens to blow off during outdoor processions.
- Actionable Fix: Use structural invisible fishing line or extra bobby pins pinned diagonally through the inner skull cap to lock the base to the scalp beneath your hair roots.
- Root Cause: The tassel keeps tangling, twisting, or flipping backward over the top of the board.
- Actionable Fix: Smooth the tassel strands with a drop of hair serum or water before the ceremony, and use a tiny dab of clear eyelash glue on the inside of the board to tack down a rogue hanging loop if permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side does the graduation tassel start on?
For undergraduate students earning associate or bachelor's degrees, the tassel starts on the right side of the mortarboard. Once your degree is officially conferred during the ceremony, you will be instructed to move the tassel to the left side. Master's and doctoral candidates typically wear their tassels on the left side from the beginning of the event.
How do I keep my graduation cap from falling off my head?
The most reliable method is using four to six heavy-duty bobby pins that match your hair color. Slide them through the interior fabric headband in an X-formation, pinning the cap directly to your hair. For very fine or short hair, use a headband underneath the cap to create a textured anchor point for the pins.
Can I decorate the top of my graduation cap?
Many universities permit students to decorate the flat top surface of their mortarboard, provided the decorations remain flat and do not obstruct the view of graduates sitting behind you. Always check your specific institution's commencement guidelines regarding permitted dimensions, LED lights, or 3D objects before applying any adhesives.
How high above the eyebrows should a graduation cap sit?
The front edge of the cap should rest approximately one inch above your eyebrows, sitting squarely on the crown of your head. Avoid pushing it too far back on the head or pulling it down past the mid-forehead, as both positions compromise the traditional horizontal leveling of the board.
Ensure your commencement day goes off without a hitch by practicing your cap placement and securing techniques a full 24 hours before walking the stage.
