College Student Caps and Gowns

Component	Component Description	Purpose or Function
Shell:	The outer part of the hood, generally black to match the gown.	Holds the hood together and gives it shape.
Lining:	The inside of the shell.	It shows one or more colors, generally the institution's colors.
Trim:	The velvet or velveteen strip on the edge of the shell.	Indicates the degree earned by the wearer.
Button/Cord:	Sewn midway up the lining where the lining meets the trim.	Helps keep the hood in place when properly worn.
Front Cord:	Sewn at the front center of the hood (V-point) where the velvet trim meets the shell.	Keeps the hood away from the neck. It should be fastened to a dress button or the gown zipper.

Understanding the Academic Hood
The most misunderstood, most improperly worn piece of academic regalia is the hood. Yet, it is the most important part as it identifies the degree earned by the wearer and the institution awarding the degree, Basically, it is a color-coded system.

	Bachelor's Hood	Master's Hood	Doctor's Hood
Length:	3 feet	3 ½ feet	4 feet
Shell:	black fabric (see below)	black fabric (see below)	black fabric (see below)
Lining:	satin (see below)	satin (see below)	satin (see below)
Trim:	2" degree color velvet (see below)	3" degree color velvet (see below)	5" degree color velvet (see below)

Example of Properly Worn Hood	Example of Improperly Worn Hood	Example of Properly Worn Hood	Example of Properly Worn Hood

The hood for this degree lies flat. The gold binding indicates the wearer has earned the degree of Associate in Science. The navy blue and white chevron reflect the official colors of the institution. In most cases the field is black. The hood shown reflects a red field for the third color of the institution.

The hood for this degree (Bachelor of Education - B,Ed. as indicated by the light blue velvet trim) should be draped so that the institution's official colors and design (red field with a white chevron) on the lining are more visible. This can be done by turning the velvet trim to the outside at the back just below the shoulders.

The hood for this degree (Master of Science - M.S. as indicated by the golden velvet trim) is correctly draped. Notice the velvet trim has been turned just below the shoulders (at the button and cord) so that the lining (red field with white chevron) appears at all times.

The hood for this degree (Doctor of Divinity as indicated by the scarlet velvet trim) lies flat. The velvet drapes so that it is visible from the front to a point just below the shoulders (at the button and cord) where it is turned so that the satin lining (red as shown in the example above) becomes fixed to the outside,

Additional hood specifications require that hoods be lined with the official color or colors of the college or university conferring the degree. More than one color is shown by division of the field using a chevron, multiple chevrons, reverse chevrons, equal division or any pattern specific to the institution and as approved by the American Council on Education.

For economic reasons, the lining at the souvenir quality level (outfits designed to be kept by the students after graduation) are the same or similar fabric as the shell. Velveteen is used in place of velvet for the degree color trim.

The trim color should indicate the subject to which the degree pertains, as outlined on the chart below. As an example, the trim color for the degree of Master of Science in Education should be light blue representing education, not yellow representing science. No academic hood should ever have the velvet trim divided to represent more than a single degree or discipline. For simplicity, some institutions have adopted guidelines whereby disciplines are not recognized as part of the hood. Rather, they may categorize specific disciplines as science, arts and letters or education. As an example, the trim color for Bachelor of Arts in Journalism would, in this case, have white trim (arts and letters) and not the more specific breakdown for journalism, crimson.

Discipline	Velvet or Trim Color	Discipline	Velvet or Trim Color
Agriculture	Maize	Medicine	Green
Arts, Letters, Humanities	White	Music	Pink
Commerce, Accountancy, Business	Drab	Nursing	Apricot
Dentistry	Lilac	Oratory (Speech)	Silver Grey
Economics	Copper	Pharmacy	Olive Green
Education	Light Blue	Philosophy	Dark Blue
Engineering	Orange	Physical Education	Sage Green
Fine Arts, Architecture	Brown	Public Admistration, Foreign Service	Peacock Blue
Forestry	Russet	Public Health	Salmon Pink
Home Economics	Dark Cardinal	Science	Golden Yellow
Journalism	Crimson	Social Work	Citron
Law	Purple	Theology	Scarlet
Library Science	Lemon	Veterinary Science	Grey

"In the case of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, the dark blue color is used to represent the mastery of the discipline of learning and scholarship in any field that is attested to by the awarding of this degree and is not intended to represent the field of philosophy."¹
^{1 Sullivan, Eugene, An Academic Costume Code and An Academic Ceremony Guide, American Council on Education, Washington, D.C.}

Traditional vs. Shield Style Hoods

The shield cut for the associate's degree hood is the more preferred style in use at colleges and universities nationwide. The shield style is edged with cording or a binding in the degree color (i.e., golden yellow for science; white for arts). The institution's colors are found on the chevron. The hood generally has a field of black. The hood shown above features a field of red for the third color of the institution.

The traditional or "bachelor's style" cut follows the same pattern as the hood for the bachelor's degree, less the velvet trim. The shell is generally black with a lining in the colors and pattern indicative of the institution awarding the degree. Cording or a binding in the degree color edges the hood where the shell meets the lining.

The traditional cut doctoral hood is the more widely used style. It features a black shell, velvet trim that extends around the neck, over the shoulders and down the back, and satin lining in the official colors and pattern of the institution.

The newer shield cut addresses the age old problem of improper draping of the hood. The hood is designed to lay flat against the back making it easy to position and keep in position while worn. The velvet drapes around the neck and over the shoulders to a point where the satin lining of the institution's colors and pattern complete the back portion of the hood. This newer shield style design is generally part of unique doctoral outfit designs adopted by colleges and universities.

Understanding the Academic Gown

There is a difference in gown design for academic degrees.

The style gown for both the Associate's and Bachelor's degrees are of the same design. The gown features open, pointed sleeves. It is designed to be worn closed.

Bachelor's gowns are generally black while Associate's gowns can be black, or a color lighter than black. Some institutions have adopted color and other modifications to the traditional gown at the Bachelor's level (i.e., Boston University uses a red gown with black mortarboard; Harvard University uses a black gown with embroidered patches in the degree color placed at chest level).

The gown should fall no lower than mid-calf.

The style for both the Master's and C.A.G.S. degrees differ from the Bachelor's style in that it features an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist. The oblong shape in square cut in the back, with the front section tailored with a arc cut. Although most prefer to wear the gown closed, academic protocol permits it to be worn open or closed.

Some institutions have adopted color and other modifications to the traditional gown at the Master's level (i.e., Boston University uses a red gown with black mortarboard; Harvard University uses a black gown with embroidered patches in the degree color placed at chest level).

Doctoral gowns feature 3 velvet bars on each sleeve and 1 vertical panel down each side of the gown on each side of the gown opening. Velvet panels and bars are generally black, but may be in the color representing the degree (see chart above). The gown has bell-shaped sleeves. It can be worn open or closed.

Numerous colleges and universities have adopted modifications to the traditional design making the design specific to that institution. Such modifications generally include a color fabric other than black, piping around the velvet panels and bars with embroidered patches of the institution's crest placed on each panel at chest level.

Understanding Caps, Tams and Tassels

The mortarboard cap is the traditional style for use with academic regalia. This style cap is the standard for all degree levels, but can be substituted with a velvet tam at the doctoral level.

A long tassel is fastened to a button on the top middle of the cap. The tassel should be black or the appropriate color assigned for the subject area (see chart above). Those with doctoral degrees may have a gold tassel if permitted by the institution awarding the degree.

The soft velvet tam is the preferred style cap worn with the doctor's gown. The velvet tam is available with 4, 6 or 8 corners. Most prefer the 8 corner tam. Some institutions require specific styles for use with their specialty doctoral outfits (i.e., Harvard University specifies the use of a 4 corner tam with black strand tassel as part of their authentic doctoral outfit.)

A long tassel is fastened to a button on the top middle of the cap. The tassel should be black or the appropriate color assigned for the subject area (see chart above). Those with doctoral degrees may have a gold tassel if permitted by the institution awarding the degree.

Many with doctoral degrees prefer the more expensive velvet tam with a 2-button gold metallic or gold bullion tassel fixed to the cap. This style tam is also available in the 4, 6 or 8 corner designs. Some institutions require specific styles for use with their specialty doctoral outfits (i.e., Harvard University specifies the use of a 4 corner tam with black strand tassel as part of their authentic doctoral outfit.)

Mortarboard Cap Velvet Tam with Strand Tassel Velvet Tam with Fixed Gold Metallic Tassel

Which side should the tassel be draped?

For purposes of uniformity and celebration, it has become a tradition for graduating students to enter the ceremony with the tassel on the right side of the cap changing it to the left either at the point they receive the degree, or as a group after all degrees have been awarded. The American Council on Education specifies only that the tassel should be fastened to the middle top of the cap only "...and to lie as it will thereon."²

² Sullivan, Eugene, An Academic Costume Code and An Academic Ceremony Guide, American Council on Education, Washington, D.C.

The most visible part of any Commencement is the traditional cap and gown. University Cap & Gown, one of the icons of the industry, offers outfits in the highest quality fabrics available for rental and souvenir-style outfits today. That feature, coupled with our reputation for providing the best constructed caps and gowns in the industry will put your college and graduates at the top.

Souvenir outfits, designed to be kept by your graduates, are available in 3 durable fabrics and a wide selection of colors.

M2000: 100% polyester fabric featuring a moderate shine. It's lightweight, wrinkle and fire resistant and offers deep color.

FOR SOUVENIR OUTFITS KEPT BY THE GRADUATES.

RED

MAROON

LIGHT BLUE

ROYAL BLUE

NAVY BLUE

ANTQ GOLD

BRIGHT GOLD

OLD GOLD

DARK GREEN

EMERALD

BLACK

TURQUOISE

PURPLE

ORANGE

BROWN

WHITE

SILVER GREY

.ROSE

*ANTIQUE GOLD, OLD GOLD, ORANGE and BROWN ARE SPECIAL ORDER COLORS. 8 WEEKS ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO YOUR NEED BY DATE.

Freedom Cloth: 100% polyester fabric featuring a rich, matte finish. It's lightweight, wrinkle and fire resistant and drapes well.

FOR SOUVENIR OUTFITS KEPT BY THE GRADUATES.

RED

MAROON

LIGHT BLUE

ROYAL BLUE

NAVY BLUE

ANTQ GOLD

PURPLE

DARK GREEN

SILVER GREY

WHITE

BLACK

: A soft fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Medium in weight with a moderate shine.

FOR SOUVENIR OUTFITS KEPT BY THE GRADUATES.

RED

MAROON

LIGHT BLUE

ROYAL BLUE

NAVY BLUE

ANTQ GOLD

PURPLE

DARK GREEN

SILVER GREY

WHITE

BLACK

Make the gowns worn by your graduating students unique for your college or university.

Our custom crested gowns feature your official seal embroidered or screened on special tabs added to the gown's front panels.

Whether you are celebrating a special anniversary or starting a new tradition, this new design for student academic regalia will add distinction to your ceremony.

Each cap and gown sewn from recycled bottle fabric prevents 23 to 27 plastic bottles from being dumped into a landfill. Multiply that by the number of students in your graduating class. That's your contribution to today's ecological movement and tomorrow's clean Earth.

Whether they're a part of the official regalia worn by the students or sold as a souvenir in your store or during the grad fair, our tassels with your college's crest are rapidly becoming more and more popular with each graduating class. Deep detailing with accents using cloisonné or antiquing make this specialty item a treasured memento.

Some colleges and universities require black tassels while others specify degree color. Tassels mixed with the institution's official colors are another option. No matter which tradition is practiced by your college, we are ready to get you the proper tassels in the correct colors.

We offer our customers an almost limitless selection of color combinations from our very wide array of colors and shades. Complete with a cord for attaching the tassel to the mortarboard cap, our tassels also feature a distinctively detailed metal yeardate charm.

Commencement officers at colleges and universities of all sizes appreciate the knowledge of our very experienced staff regarding academic protocol. Purchasing agents value our ability to help them keep costs under control and under budget. University and college presidents and trustees embrace our ideas to help them promote the professional image of their institution. Students like the better fit of our outfits. And the parents...well, they're just appreciative of our commitment to helping strengthen our economy by keeping manufacturing of our outfits in the United States.

We're ready to help you deliver a memorable Commencement with caps, gowns and accessories branded specifically for your college or university. To learn more, contact us.

We are known industry-wide for providing gowns that offer a comfortable fit for students of all sizes. Our gowns are purposely manufactured using ample fabric so that your students will look their best during all phases of the Commencement ceremony.

Like our gowns, our academic hoods meet the design requirements set by the American Council on Education.

Whether you select rental or souvenir outfits for your students you can be assured that your graduates will be outfitted in the finest academic regalia available.

FOR ECO-SERIOUS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

There's no more chasing down elusive college students with our convenient online ordering system. Once it's set up all you need to do is provide them with the link and submitting their sizing information becomes their responsibilty. To learn more about setting up the system specific for your college, click here.

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