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MORTARBOARD CAP
SHOWN ABOVE IN
BLACK CLOTH FABRIC
REMOVABLE STRAND TASSE
L
The very recognizable square academic cap is often called a mortarboard because of its similarity in appearance to the board used by bricklayers to hold mortar.  This style of academic headwear consists of a horizontal square board fixed upon a skull-cap (crown) with a tassel attached to the center.  The crown of the cap is generally designed to fold for storage, but can be manufactured as stiff.
VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
ROYAL BLUE VELVET
FIXED GOLD BULLION TASSEL
BEEFEATER
SHOWN ABOVE IN
RED VELVET
FIXED GOLD BULLION TASSEL
Most faculty with doctoral degrees prefer to wear velvet doctoral tams for appearance and comfort.  Velvet tams help differentiate between the faculty members and students.

Doctoral tams are generally black velvet in 4, 6 and 8 corner designs complemented with either a detachable strand tassel, fixed gold metallic or fixed bullion tassel.
A variation of the tam with deep English heritage, the beefeater features plush velvet or fabric to match the gown and a stiff brim accented with a fixed gold bullion or metallic tassel.

This style cap is generally reserved for institutions authorizing it as part of special academic regalia or by the highest ranking official presiding over graduation.
4 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
LUSTROUS BLACK VELVET
FIXED GOLD METALLIC TASSEL
6 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
LUSTROUS BLACK VELVET
FIXED GOLD METALLIC TASSEL
8 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
LUSTROUS BLACK VELVET
FIXED GOLD METALLIC TASSEL
ANTIQUE GOLD STRAND TASSEL
ATTACHES TO THE BUTTON
ON TOP OF THE CAP
AND IS REMOVEABLE
GOLD BULLION TASSEL
PERMANENTLY ATTACHED
TO THE TOP OF THE CAP
AND IS NOT REMOVEABLE
This traditional doctoral tassel attaches to a button on the top of the cap or tam and is removable.  The strands are rayon providing a moderate shine for the finish
This popular doctoral tassel is permanently attached to the top of the cap or tam.  The strands are gold bullion providing a high level shine for the finish.
8 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
PhD BLUE VELVET WITH GOLD BRIM
FIXED GOLD METALLIC TASSEL
This style custom tam is generally reserved for college and university presidents.  It features a brim adorned with gold brocade fabric and a fixed gold bullion or metallic tassel.
 
4 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
BLACK VELVETEEN
REMOVEABLE GOLD STRAND TASSEL
6 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
BLACK VELVETEEN
REMOVEABLE GOLD STRAND TASSEL
8 CORNER VELVET TAM
SHOWN ABOVE IN
BLACK VELVETEEN
REMOVEABLE GOLD STRAND TASSEL
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