When most people think of graduation attire, it’s the gown or toga that first comes to mind. And naturally, the way we can distinguish a graduating student with just one glimpse is to see that they are wearing graduation robes. However, there are two other garments that complete academic regalia, and these two items are academic hoods and graduation caps.
What are academic hoods?
Have you ever noticed that most graduates don’t just wear a plain toga? They usually have a cord or cloth worn over the robe, decorating their shoulders and flowing down over their chests. Cords are more commonly found among primary and secondary graduates, while colleges and universities specialize more in letting their graduates wear academic hoods. These are long sashes made of silk or a similar fabric, and usually composed of more than one color. Hoods are worn draped lower over the back than cords, and this is because at the center of the sash, extra fabric is stitched at an angle to form a slouchy triangular or V-shape. Most universities group their students by the college or field that theycommenced and this maybe the reason why students from the same institution wear different-colored hoods every commencement exercise.
What are graduation caps?
No picture of a beaming graduate is complete without a graduation cap. These most often come in the traditional square shape, with a small cord attached to the center of the square top and dangling over the sides. Caps of this style are also known as mortarboard.
Graduation caps come in a variety of color, usually white or black, although the cords can come in a contrasting shade to the cap itself, such as when a university has two school colors. In some cases, graduation caps come in different styles. Academic dress juris doctor or graduates of medicine may wear the Tudor bonnet instead, which features no square board and is made of cloth.
How important are hoods and caps?
You can’t really overestimate the significance of graduation caps and academic hoods in graduation ceremonies. A graduate of law, for example, wouldn’t feel right at walking down the stage and accepting his or her diploma without a cap on the head and a hood over the shoulders. These two garments are a part of tradition and are consideredspecial just like the graduation day itself. A student, posing for pictures with classmates and family, would look so much better with the hood on straight and the cap cocked at the perfect angle. Photographs of graduation days will become precious memorabilia, and the sight of your younger graduating self, wearing a hood and cap, will do much to keep the memories fresh.
Academic hoods and graduation caps can easily be found at shops and stores that specialize in selling and/or renting academic regalia, for these are accessories that will never lose their appeal and importance over time. You may also request to purchase the hood and cap you wear on your graduation day, and that way you can keep these special items to commemorate your special day.