How To Put On A Graduation Cap: The Definitive Academic Regalia Guide

Properly securing a graduation cap requires identifying the front of the mortarboard, aligning it flat against the crown of the head, and positioning the tassel on the correct side based on your academic standing. Getting this fit right ensures your cap stays secure through long ceremonies, dramatic head turns, and the quintessential toss at the conclusion of the event.

Preparation and Regalia Checklist

Mastering how to put on a graduation cap involves understanding the specific structural anatomy of academic headwear and preparing your hair and accessories to anchor it firmly. Unlike standard baseball caps or winter beanies, a mortarboard relies on precise tension, geometric alignment, and tactical anchoring to remain stable against wind and movement.

• Essential Equipment & Materials: One standard mortarboard cap matching your institutional color, one matching tassel with a year charm, 4 to 6 bobby pins matching your hair color, a handheld mirror for rear alignment, and optional double-sided fashion tape or millinery hat sizing strips.
• Mandatory Prerequisite Knowledge: Identification of the internal size tag, recognition of the front-versus-rear crown slope, and awareness of institutional protocols regarding tassel placement before and after the formal degree conferral.
• Estimated Duration & Cost: Setup takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes of styling and pinning. Cost is typically included in your institutional graduation package, or between 15 and 30 dollars if purchased independently.

Step-by-Step Graduation Cap Application

Step 1: Identify the Interior Tag and Front Edge

Before bringing the cap anywhere near your head, turn it upside down and inspect the inner band. Most mortarboards feature a small fabric tag, an embroidered arrow, or a stamped word indicating the "FRONT" of the cap.

If your cap lacks a clear marker, run your fingers along the interior cardboard or plastic crown base. The side where the fabric is smoother, or where the headband seam is located at the back, dictates the orientation.

Pro-Tip: If your cap is completely symmetrical without a tag, select one corner to designate as the front so you can consistently align your tassel to the left or right during the ceremony.

Step 2: Determine and Attach Your Tassel

The tassel must be secured to the button at the exact center of the mortarboard top before you place the cap on your head. Loop the small hanging cord of the tassel over the central fabric button, ensuring the bulk of the fringe drapes down freely.

For undergraduate students, the tassel traditionally hangs on the right side of the mortarboard prior to the official conferral of degrees. Graduate students, master's candidates, and doctoral degree holders generally wear the tassel on the left side throughout the entire ceremony, as they already possess a recognized degree.

Warning: Never attach the tassel after putting the cap on your head, as reaching blindly for the center button often twists the cap out of alignment and disrupts your hairstyle.

Step 3: Align the Mortarboard Flat on Your Crown

Place the cap directly onto your head so that the flat board portion sits completely parallel to the floor, rather than tilted backward on the back of your head like a headband. The lower edge of the interior band should rest approximately one inch above your eyebrows and sit comfortably just above your ears.

Check your alignment using a full-length mirror or by asking a peer to look at your profile. A properly positioned mortarboard creates a crisp, level geometric line against your forehead. If the board angles upward or slopes down toward your nose, the cap is either too small, placed backward, or sitting on top of too much unflattened hair volume.

Step 4: Secure the Cap with Bobby Pins

Because mortarboards possess a stiff, flat surface and a lightweight band, they easily catch the wind or slide off sleek hair textures. To prevent your cap from shifting during the processional or across the stage, anchor it using bobby pins.

Slide two bobby pins diagonally across the inner headband fabric into your hair just above each ear, crossing them in an X-shape for maximum grip. Add two more pins at the back of the crown if you are walking outdoors or anticipating strong stadium breezes.

Pro-Tip: Spray your bobby pins lightly with dry shampoo or strong-hold hairspray before sliding them into your hair to drastically increase friction and prevent slippage.

Graduation Cap Anatomy and Sizing Specifications

Common Graduation Cap Failures and Field Fixes

• Failure: The cap continuously tilts forward and slips over your eyes.
  
  
  • Root Cause: The interior band is resting too high on the back of your head, or your hair volume is pushing the front down.
  • Actionable Fix: Pull the back of the cap downward until the band rests securely against the lower curve of your occipital bone, and use crossing bobby pins to lock the back band in place.
• Failure: The mortarboard catches the wind and feels like it is about to fly off.
  
  
  • Root Cause: Insufficient mechanical anchoring against wind resistance on the flat 9x9 surface.
  • Actionable Fix: Insert double-sided fashion tape between the inner fabric headband and your forehead or hair, supplemented by at least four interlocking bobby pins.
• Failure: The cap sits uncomfortably high and perches precariously on top of thick hair.
  
  
  • Root Cause: Voluminous hairstyles, braids, or thick curls create an elevated platform that prevents the cap from seating properly.
  • Actionable Fix: Modify your hairstyle by flattening the crown area, pinning thick hair low near the nape of the neck, or utilizing hat sizing strips inside the cap band for extra grip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side should the tassel start on for graduation?

Undergraduate students wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard during the processional and initial ceremony proceedings. After the dean or university president formally confers degrees, the entire graduating class moves their tassels simultaneously to the left side. Master's and doctoral candidates wear their tassels on the left side for the duration of the event.

How do you keep a graduation cap from falling off in the wind?

The most reliable method involves utilizing four to six bobby pins that match your hair color, crossed in an X-shape over the inner fabric band just above your ears and at the back of your head. For extreme wind conditions, apply specialized fashion tape to the interior forehead band to bond the cap securely to your skin or hair.

Should the graduation cap be worn flat or tilted?

A graduation cap must always be worn completely flat and parallel to the ground. Tilting the cap backward exposes the forehead improperly and violates traditional academic regalia etiquette, which dictates a dignified, level placement on the crown of the head.

Can you decorate your graduation cap?

Many universities permit mortarboard decoration as long as the embellishments remain flat, non-offensive, and do not exceed the physical dimensions of the 9x9 inch board. Always verify your specific institution's commencement guidelines regarding decorations before applying adhesives, glitter, or structural items to your cap.

What do you do if your graduation cap is too big?

If your cap is too large and spins or slips down your face, insert foam hat-sizing strips, folded tissue paper, or strips of adhesive moleskin underneath the inner fabric band. This reduces the internal circumference of the cap and provides a snug, custom fit against your head.

Prepare for your milestone celebration with confidence by ensuring your academic regalia is properly fitted, pinned, and styled well in advance of the ceremony. Browse our comprehensive style guides for more tips on styling your hair, securing your academic hood, and walking the stage with poise.