Master The Mortarboard: How To Wear A Graduation Cap Perfectly For Every Hair Type And Degree Level

Wearing a graduation cap correctly requires positioning the interior deep point or elastic seam at the back of the head, aligning the flat mortarboard parallel to the ground approximately one inch above the eyebrows, and securing the skullcap using targeted fastening tools tailored to your hair texture. The tassel hangs on the right side for undergraduate candidates prior to degree conferral before shifting to the left, whereas master’s and doctoral candidates wear their tassels on the left throughout the ceremony.

Pre-Ceremony Preparation & Regalia Equipment Standards

Properly fitting an academic cap begins long before you step onto the processional staging area. Standard graduation caps, historically referred to as mortarboards, consist of a flat square card encased in synthetic fabric mounted atop a flexible skullcap. Achieving a secure, professional fit requires understanding how the cap interacts with your skull geometry and hair volume, alongside gathering the correct stabilizing accessories.

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Essential Fitting Gear and Materials Checklist

• Academic Regalia Components: Standard mortarboard cap (or velvet tam for doctoral candidates), degree-specific tassel, and institutional year charm.
• Hair Stabilizing Hardware: 4 to 8 heavy-duty bobby pins matching your hair color, clear elastic headbands, or specialized adhesive cap-anchoring inserts (ideal for fine hair, shaved heads, or voluminous styles).
• Styling Tools: Texturizing hairspray, dry shampoo, or hair gel to increase hair shaft friction against smooth polyester cap lining.
• Garment Maintenance: Fabric steamer or damp pressing cloth with an iron on low synthetic settings to smooth wrinkles on the cap drape and gown prior to wearing.

Prerequisite Standards and Logistics

• Ceremonial Guidelines: Confirm your institution's specific regulations regarding cap decoration, tassel placement protocols, and academic hood interactions.
• Orientation Markers: Locate the internal construction indicators—most caps feature a deep V-shaped seam or an elastic gathering strip designed to rest exclusively against the nape of the neck.
• Preparation Window: Allocate 15 to 20 minutes before lining up for the processional to fit, align, pin, and movement-test your mortarboard.

Step-by-Step Mortarboard Placement & Securing Workflow

Step 1: Identify Cap Anatomy and Correct Interior Orientation

Examine the interior crown (skullcap) of the graduation cap before attempting placement. The underside of the cap contains structural seams that dictate its front-to-back orientation.

Look for the rear indicator: an elastic expansion band, a central tag, or a distinctly deeper, V-shaped cut in the fabric wall. This deeper section must rest against the lower back of your head (the occipital bone). The shallower, smooth curvature of the skullcap represents the front section and must sit forward across your forehead.

Warning: Placing the deep seam or elastic band at the front of your head forces the flat mortarboard to tilt backward at a sharp angle. This misplacement exposes the hairline excessively, destabilizes the cap, and guarantees frequent slippage during movement.

Step 2: Position the Cap Parallel to the Ground

Place the graduation cap onto your head, pulling the front rim down until it rests approximately one inch (2.5 cm) directly above your eyebrows. The flat, square mortarboard surface must remain completely level and parallel to the floor, creating a 0-degree tilt relative to the horizontal plane.

Do not push the cap back like a beanie or tilt it to the side unless local institutional traditions explicitly instruct otherwise. The center point of the square board should sit aligned over the crown of your head, forming a clean diamond or square geometry when viewed from the front, depending on your school's tradition.

Step 3: Secure the Skullcap Based on Hair Structure and Style

Because smooth synthetic regalia fabric slips easily over natural hair, you must mechanically anchor the skullcap to your head using methods tailored to your specific hair type:

1. For Fine, Straight, or Medium-Length Hair: Slide bobby pins diagonally through the interior fabric band of the cap directly into your hair base. For maximum hold, cross two bobby pins in an "X" shape on both the left and right sides behind your ears, anchoring the inner rim firmly to your scalp.
2. For Voluminous Hair, Braids, Afro-Textured Hair, or Locs: Standard skullcaps often lack sufficient depth to accommodate thick hair structures. Attach a rigid flat headband or specialized plastic cap anchor to the inner front rim of the cap using fabric-safe adhesive, then slide the headband into your hair to allow the mortarboard to float securely above your hairstyle without squashing it.
3. For Short Hair or Shaved Heads: Apply two strips of double-sided toupee or garment tape along the front and rear interior sweatbands of the cap. Press the cap firmly onto the scalp for 10 seconds to create a high-friction seal that prevents movement from wind or walking.

Pro-Tip: Never attempt to push bobby pins directly through the hard cardboard core of the top board. Always anchor pins through the flexible fabric skullcap walls or the internal folded sweatband loop into anchored hair sections beneath.

Step 4: Mount and Orient the Ceremonial Tassel

Locate the central button positioned in the middle of the top mortarboard plane. Take the large looped end of the tassel and slide it completely over the button. Pull gently downward on the tassel cord to ensure the loop seats flat around the base of the button stem.

Position the tassel string according to your current academic standing:

• Undergraduate Candidates (High School, Associate, Bachelor's): Drape the tassel over the right front quadrant of the mortarboard. The tassel should hang freely over the right side of your face, passing between your eye and ear.
• Graduate and Advanced Candidates (Master's, Specialist, Doctorate): Drape the tassel over the left front quadrant of the cap prior to entering the venue. Candidates earning advanced degrees do not participate in the "turning of the tassel" ritual during the ceremony and wear the tassel on the left from start to finish.

Step 5: Execute Movement and Wind-Resistance Stability Checks

Once secured, verify cap stability by performing three basic movement tests prior to entering the assembly area:

1. Slowly tilt your head backward 45 degrees while looking upward; the rear band should hold firm against your occipital bone without sliding forward.
2. Turn your head rapidly from side to side; the cap should move in unison with your skull without shifting or twisting.
3. Lightly touch the tassel to ensure its loop remains snug around the center button stem and does not tangle with eyeglasses, earrings, or gown collars.

Academic Regalia Specifications & Tassel Protocol Matrix

The table below outlines the structural standards, spatial alignments, and procedural tassel rules across different degree tiers and headwear formats.

Real-World Fit Failures & Emergency Ceremonial Remedies

Cap Continually Pops Up or Floats Off Voluminous Styles

• Root Cause: Thick braids, locs, or dense afro-textured hair create upwards tension against the shallow crown of the plastic or cardboard skullcap frame, preventing the cap from seating over the head contour.
• Actionable Fix: Do not force the cap downward. Instead, attach a thin, flexible plastic headband to the front interior edge of the cap using heavy-duty double-sided tape or fabric glue. Insert the headband into your hair like a normal hairband, allowing the mortarboard to sit flush above your style without crushing your hair or sliding off.

Mortarboard Tilts Backward and Slides Down the Back of the Neck

• Root Cause: The cap has been placed backward (putting the deep elastic nape seam over the forehead), or smooth hair offers insufficient surface friction against the synthetic fabric inner band.
• Actionable Fix: Rotate the cap 180 degrees so the deeper interior cut rests against the base of your skull. Lightly spray the hair around your crown with texturizing hairspray or dry shampoo to create grip, then insert two bobby pins horizontally across the rear inner fabric seam, pinning directly into a small braid or crisscrossed hair anchor beneath.

Tassel Catches on Eyeglasses or Continually Blocks Facial Photography

• Root Cause: The tassel loop is wrapped loosely around the center button, causing the suspension cord to hang too far forward over the eyes.
• Actionable Fix: Remove the tassel loop from the central button. Twist the loop once to form a tighter figure-eight knot, then drop it back over the button base. This shortens the drop length by a quarter-inch, pulling the cord back behind your eye line while allowing the tassel to hang clean past your cheekbone.

Cap Edges Pinch and Cause Pressure Headaches During Long Ceremonies

• Root Cause: Choosing a rigid cap size that is too small for your head circumference, causing the structural cardboard band to restrict blood flow around the forehead temple region.
• Actionable Fix: Make a small 0.25-inch vertical snip using scissors directly into the inner fabric sweatband at the very rear of the cap (along the elastic seam). This releases structural tension without compromising the visible outer fabric or top board stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side does the tassel go on before graduating?

Before receiving your degree, place the tassel on the right side of your graduation cap if you are an undergraduate or high school student. Advanced degree candidates (Master’s and Doctorates) place their tassel on the left side prior to the start of the ceremony and leave it there throughout the event.

Can I wear my hair in an updo or high ponytail with a graduation cap?

Wearing your hair in a high updo or top-knot ponytail prevents a graduation cap from resting flat on your head. Opt for low ponytails, low buns positioned at the nape of the neck, loose waves, or down-styles that leave the top crown area flat and clear for the cap's inner crown to fit properly.

How do I keep a graduation cap on fine or slippery hair?

To secure a cap on fine hair, apply dry shampoo or texturizing spray to your crown for added friction. Position the cap, then cross two bobby pins into an "X" shape over the internal fabric band on both sides of your head, pushing the pins downward toward your scalp to lock the fabric into your hair.

What is the difference between a mortarboard cap and a velvet doctor's tam?

A mortarboard is a traditional flat, square cap made of cloth-covered cardboard worn by high school, bachelor’s, and master’s graduates. A tam is a soft, pleated velvet beret-style cap—typically featuring 4, 6, or 8 corners—reserved for doctoral degree recipients and faculty members wearing doctoral regalia.

How do you remove creases or bends from a graduation cap board?

If the square top of your mortarboard becomes creased, place a slightly damp towel over the fabric top board and press it gently with a clothing iron set to low heat (synthetic/polyester setting). Avoid direct contact between the iron and the synthetic fabric, and do not saturate the underlying cardboard core with water.

Prepare Your Regalia for Commencement Day

Achieving a flawless fit for your graduation cap ensures you remain comfortable, confident, and photogenic throughout your commencement proceedings. Pair your properly secured mortarboard with a well-steamed gown and properly draped academic hood to honor your hard-earned milestone with distinction.