How To Wear A Graduation Cap: The Definitive Academic Regalia Guide

Wearing a graduation cap correctly requires positioning the mortarboard flat on the crown of the head with the longer point facing backward and the tassel draped over the left temple prior to degree conferral. Mastering these precise placement standards ensures photographic compliance, absolute comfort during lengthy commencement ceremonies, and physical security against wind displacement.

Academic Regalia Anatomy and Pre-Ceremony Preparation

Achieving an impeccable commencement appearance begins with understanding the anatomical composition of academic regalia and executing a systematic pre-ceremony setup. The traditional mortarboard consists of a stiffened cardboard or plastic square base (the crown), a skull cap beneath it, a central button, and a dangling silk or rayon tassel. Unlike casual baseball caps or winter beanies, a mortarboard is engineered to sit statically atop the cranium rather than hugging the forehead. Failing to account for hair texture, head shape, and gravity will result in constant slipping or a tilted aesthetic that ruins formal portraits.

• Essential Gear and Tools: Standard mortarboard, color-coded academic tassel, four to six heavy-duty bobby pins matching hair color, industrial double-sided fashion tape or toupee tape, and a handheld mirror for structural verification.
• Mandatory Prerequisite Standards: Hair must be secured in a hairstyle that creates a flat horizontal surface across the crown (e.g., a low bun, braided crown, or flattened texture) to prevent the skull cap from sliding down the slope of the skull.
• Budget and Duration Benchmarks: Zero additional financial investment if utilizing standard university-issued regalia; allow 10 to 15 minutes of dedicated preparation time prior to lining up for the processional.

Step-by-Step Mortarboard Placement Workflow

Step 1: Locate the Front and Back Orientation Markers

Examine the interior lining of the skull cap to identify the manufacturer tag, elastic band, or directional arrow indicating the rear of the cap. If no explicit marker exists, inspect the square board overhead; the side with the slightly longer stretch of fabric or the elasticized inner band is universally designated as the back. Place the cap onto your head so that the elastic band rests snugly against the occipital bone at the lower back of your skull.

Warning: Never wear a graduation cap pushed down onto your forehead like a winter cap. The flat board must sit completely parallel to the floor, requiring the front edge to rest approximately one to two inches above your eyebrow ridge.

Step 2: Establish Horizontal Crown Balance

Hold the edges of the mortarboard with both hands and level the flat top surface until it is entirely parallel to the ground. You can verify this alignment by standing in front of a full-length mirror or utilizing a smartphone camera resting on a flat surface. If the cap tilts upward or downward, the angle indicates that the skull cap is resting incorrectly against your cranial curvature, requiring you to adjust the forward or backward placement by half-inch increments.

Pro-Tip: If you wear glasses, position the cap first and then slide your glasses temple arms underneath the inner elastic band to prevent the cap from pushing your frames down your nose.

Step 3: Secure the Cap Against Wind and Movement

Because mortarboards act as aerodynamic sails during outdoor commencement exercises, mechanical anchoring is non-negotiable. Take four bobby pins and slide them upward through the inner fabric band of the skull cap and directly into your hair strands at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions. For individuals with very fine, silky hair or slick buzz cuts, apply a strip of double-sided fashion tape to the inner forehead band before setting the cap in place to eliminate slippage.

Step 4: Position and Transition the Tassel

Before the ceremony commences, drape the tassel over the right side of the mortarboard, ensuring the golden charm or year date hangs freely against your cheek or jawline. Following the official conferral of degrees and the institutional pronouncement of graduation, the university president will instruct candidates to transition the tassel from the right side to the left side of the cap. Use your right hand to sweep the tassel across the top button of the mortarboard in a smooth, confident arc so that it rests permanently over your left temple.

Mortarboard Specifications and Sizing Metrics

Common Mortarboard Failures and Field Fixes

• Root Cause: The mortarboard slides forward continuously and covers the eyes.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Your hairstyle is too slippery or sloped. Create two crossed bobby pin anchors in an X-shape behind your ears, or apply double-sided fashion tape to the interior front band of the skull cap.
• Root Cause: The cap catches the wind like a kite and threatens to fly off the head outdoors.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Increase your anchor count from four to eight bobby pins, weaving them deeply into secured braids or a tight low bun. Alternatively, pin a clear elastic strap beneath your hair at the nape of your neck to act as a chin strap substitute.
• Root Cause: The board tilts at a bizarre angle because of thick, voluminous natural hair or an asymmetrical updo.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Relocate your hair volume downward. Flatten the crown section of your hair by pinning it low against the neck, ensuring the skull cap rests on a level, stable foundation rather than perching precariously atop hair volume.
• Root Cause: The tassel continuously blows across the face or tangles in earrings.
  
  
  • Actionable Fix: Lightly mist the tassel with styling hairspray or run a dab of anti-frizz serum down the strands to anchor the weight and prevent wind-driven entanglement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side does the tassel go on before graduation?

The tassel must be positioned on the right side of your mortarboard prior to the formal conferral of your degree. This tradition symbolizes that you are a candidate for graduation rather than an official alumnus. Once the commencement speaker or dean officially confers degrees, the entire graduating class simultaneously shifts their tassels to the left.

How do I keep my graduation cap from falling off my head?

The most reliable method for securing a mortarboard is using four to eight bobby pins that match your hair color. Slide the pins upward through the inner cloth band of the cap and anchor them firmly into your hair. If you have short hair, toupee tape or fashion tape applied to the interior forehead rim provides an unyielding grip.

Can I decorate the top of my graduation cap?

Yes, the vast majority of modern high schools and universities permit students to decorate the flat top of their mortarboards as a form of personal expression. Ensure that your decorations do not violate institutional policies regarding offensive imagery, excessive height, or flashing lights that might distract neighboring graduates or obscure stage views.

How far back should a graduation cap sit on your head?

A graduation cap should sit level on the crown of your head, approximately one to two inches above your eyebrows. It should never be pulled down low like a baseball cap or propped up so far back on the crown that it hangs off the back of your head.

What hairstyle works best with a mortarboard?

Low hairstyles such as a low bun, low ponytail, braided crown, or straightened styles worn down work best because they do not interfere with the flat interior skull cap. Avoid high ponytails, topknots, or voluminous blowouts that elevate the cap unevenly and compromise its structural balance.

Ensure your entire academic ensemble is locked in place so you can walk across the stage with total confidence. Explore our advanced styling resources to secure your academic regalia and prepare for a flawless commencement ceremony.