Introduction

Graduation day is one of the most important milestones in a student’s academic career. After years of hard work and dedication, it’s time to walk across that stage and receive your degree/diploma. An essential part of this time-honored tradition is wearing the ceremonial hat and gown. While the gown is important, all eyes are drawn to the graduation hat perched atop your head. This iconic hat is a symbol of your achievement and transformation into a graduate.

Beyond just a required part of your ensemble, the graduation hat presents an opportunity to showcase your personality and style. With creativity and confidence, you can take this traditional accessory and make it uniquely your own. This is your moment – enjoy it with a hat that reflects your journey. Whether you decorate the top with inspiring words, fun designs, or sparkling gems, customize this hat to represent your story.

Position it at just the right angle or pair it with stand-out accessories. The graduation stage is your runway – own it! This is not the time to blend into the crowd. Celebrate all your hard work by wearing your hat in a way that feels authentic to you. Let your graduation hat communicate who you are and what you’ve accomplished.

History of the Graduation Hat

The mortarboard graduation hat has a long and storied history dating back to the Middle Ages. Its distinctive square shape and flat top is said to have originated from the biretta, a similar type of hat worn by clergy members and academics in medieval Europe.

The mortarboard gained popularity as a symbol of education and scholarship in the 16th century, when it began to be widely adopted by students and professors at European universities like Oxford and Cambridge. At the time, most students would wear the mortarboard daily as part of their academic dress.

The term “mortarboard” itself comes from the hat’s resemblance to the board that bricklayers used to hold mortar. Its flat, square shape mirrors the board’s flat surface.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, mortarboard hats had become strongly associated with university graduations. The hat and gown ceremony emerged as a tradition representing the completion of academic study. Donning the mortarboard hat signified the graduate’s achievement of scholarly distinction.

Today, graduates proudly wear mortarboard hats decorated with tassels, colors and motifs as a time-honored symbol of their hard work and newly conferred degree. The iconic hat retains its medieval academic origins while remaining a contemporary tradition honored across graduation ceremonies worldwide.

Types of Graduation Hats

Graduation hats come in a variety of styles, but the most common is the classic mortarboard. This stiff, square hat originated in the 14th century at European universities. The mortarboard’s unique shape represents the mortar and pestle used by pharmacists and physicians at that time. While the mortarboard remains ubiquitous, many graduates opt for alternative hats that reflect their personality.

The velvet tam is a popular choice, featuring a round, velvet top and a tassel attached to the center. Tams often come in vivid school colors. Some schools designate different colored tams for bachelor’s versus master’s graduates. The beret is another fun, casual option. Berets sit low on the head with the tassel attached at the side. For a truly unique look, graduates get creative with options like flower wreaths, decorative headbands, customized baseball hats, or even mortarboards covered in glitter or fabric. The key is choosing headwear that shows off your personal flair while keeping within the standards of your graduation ceremony. No matter what style you select, your graduation hat marks a major milestone.

Decorating Your Hat

Your graduation hat is the perfect canvas to show off your personality and celebrate your achievements. Here are some ideas for decorating your hat with style:

• Quotes – Pick an inspirational quote, lyric, or mantra that resonates with you. Use vinyl lettering or paint to add the text to your hat. Choose something meaningful that represents your journey.
• Photos – Print out small photos of family, friends, pets – anyone who helped you along the way. Glue or tape the photos onto your hats. You can also modge podge printed photos directly onto the surface.
• Drawings – Get creative and draw your own design, like an animal, flower, or abstract pattern. Use fabric paint pens or acrylic paint to decorate your hat.
• Glitter – Add some sparkle with glitter glue, glitter spray, or loose glitter. Outline quotes, drawings, or patterns with glitter accents. Keep it tasteful though, as too much glitter can look cluttered.
• Fabric – Glue on patches, fabric shapes, or lace to give your hat some texture. Flowers, stars, and other shapes look great layered on.
• Tassels – Sew or glue colorful tassels along the edges of your hatfor a festive look. Match them to your school colors.

The options are endless when it comes to hat decor! DIY your own unique creation that shows your personality and all the hard work you put in to get to this milestone.

Positioning Your Hats

Properly positioning your graduation hat is key to looking stylish and confident in your graduation photos. The most important things to pay attention to are the alignment and angle of your hat.

The top of your hat should be perfectly horizontal. If the hat is tilted to one side or the other, it can look sloppy and ruin the elegant lines of your graduation outfit. Take a moment to carefully center your hat and use the flat top edge to ensure it’s straight.

The angle of the hat should allow the tassel and any decorations to hang nicely on one side without drooping too low over your face. Usually a slight forward tilt is best, between 5-15 degrees. Too far back and the hat risks falling off, but too far forward will obscure your fabulous look.

Experiment with different angles in front of a mirror before the ceremony. Ask a friend to check that your hat is straight and the angle is just right. Small adjustments can make a big difference in your photos.

With the right alignment and smart angling, your graduation hat will stay in place and frame your face perfectly. You’ll look like a pro crossing the stage to get your degree/diploma.

Accessorizing Your Outfit

Coordinating your graduation hat and gown with the rest of your outfit is key to looking stylish on your big day. Here are some tips:

• Consider the color of your gown. Matching black shoes and accessories will look classic with a black gown. For light colored gowns like white or light blue, metallic shoes or jewelry can make your outfit pop.
• Jewelry should be minimal and understated. Small earrings or a simple necklace won’t distract from your hat and gown. Leave large statement necklaces and bracelets at home.
• Shoes should be formal and comfortable for standing through the ceremony. Heels or wedges for women and dress shoes for men are perfect. Avoid casual shoes like sneakers or sandals.
• Carry a small clutch purse or wristlet rather than a large handbag. Make sure it coordinates with your outfit and keeps essentials like your phone easily accessible.
• Consider a wrap or light jacket if the weather is cool. Choose something elegant that flatters your gown, like a cropped cardigan, lace shawl or patterned scarf.
• Don’t forget the little extras like hair clips, ties, belts, socks or hose. Make sure they complement the rest of your look.

With some thoughtful coordination, you can make your graduation outfit complete from hat to heels. Accessories allow you to show off your personal style while looking polished and put together.

Photos with Your Hat

Your graduation hat will be a key part of your graduation photos, so you’ll want to ensure you look stylish and confident while wearing it. When posing for photos, keep these tips in mind:

• Look directly at the camera with a big smile on your face to capture your joy and excitement. Avoid looking down or away.
• Hold your diploma up and open to fully display it. Angle it so the text is visible.
• Pop one knee if kneeling, or stand tall with shoulders back. This projects confidence.
• Move your tassel from one side to the other and get a photo of the tassel switching sides.
• Take photos throwing your hat in the air as well as with it back on your head.
• If indoors, stand in front of windows to utilize soft, natural lighting. Outdoors, avoid having the sun directly behind you.
• Take straight on shots as well as some from different angles – profile, looking up, looking down. Variety is great.
• Get creative! Dip down while throwing your hat, jump high, add props like signs or flowers.
• Take photos with family, friends, classmates, teachers, pets – anyone special you want to remember.
• Most importantly, have fun and enjoy this moment. Your smile will shine through in photos.

Hat Etiquette

Your graduation hat is not just a fashion accessory, it’s an important symbol of your academic achievement. While decorating your hat is a fun way to show your personality, it’s important to maintain proper etiquette at the ceremony. Here are some hat etiquette guidelines to follow on your big day:

• Wear your hat flat on the top of your head. The tapered part should be at the back, with the tassel hanging down over your left eye. Don’t tilt or angle it to the side.
• Keep your hat on straight during the processional march and when seated. Take it off only for moments like singing the alma mater or receiving your diploma.
• Don’t decorate the top part of your hat that sits flat on your head. Decorations can be added to the sides or the mortarboard, but avoid covering the flat top.
• Make sure any decorations are securely fastened. You don’t want anything falling off as you walk across the stage.
• Don’t write profane or offensive messages on your hat. Remember, this is a formal event with faculty, family, and distinguished guests in attendance.
• Stand respectfully during speeches and maintain proper decorum even if your hat is creatively decorated. You’ve earned this prestigious moment.
• Follow any hat etiquette guidelines provided by your specific institution. They may have additional rules worth noting.
• Remove your hat during prayers or moments of silence. Hold it respectfully at your side.
• Toss your hat joyfully at the end of the ceremony when directed. Celebrate safely and stay aware of those around you.

Following basic hat etiquette shows you recognize the significance of graduation while allowing you to infuse your personality through unique, thoughtful decorations. Enjoy this momentous rite of passage!

Tossing Your Hat

Tossing graduation hats in the air is a time-honored tradition signaling the end of the graduation ceremony. It’s a symbolic and celebratory gesture, representing your transition from student to graduate.

The proper time to toss your hat is after the commencement speaker has finished addressing the graduates and the university president has declared the ceremony over. Listen for cues from your school’s announcer letting you know it’s time for the hat toss.

When tossing your hat, make sure to throw it straight up in the air above your head. Toss it high enough so it has time to flip around before landing back on your head or in your hands. Be careful not to throw it too far horizontally, as you don’t want to hit other graduates with your hat.

For the best photo ops, toss your hat in sync with your fellow graduates. Have fun with the hat toss and feel free to give a shout or pose for cameras as you throw your hat up. Catching your hat on its way down also makes for a great picture.

The hat toss is meant to be a celebratory finale to your graduation day, so enjoy the moment! Just be prepared to retrieve your hat if it lands too far away.

Keeping Your Hat

After graduation, you’ll want to preserve your hat as a memento of your big day. Here are some ideas for displaying your decorated graduation hat:

• Create a shadowbox display. Arrange your hat artfully in a shadowbox frame along with your diploma, tassel, photos from graduation day, and other memorabilia. This makes a wonderful keepsake to hang on your wall.
• Display it in a glass cabinet or bookshelf. Place your hat on a stand or mount inside a cabinet or on a shelf. Illuminate it with accent lighting for drama.
• Hang it on the wall. You can create a special display by mounting your hat on a plaque or decorative hanger. Arrange photos and other graduation memories around it.
• Keep it in a memory box. Store your hat in an archival box or chest with other precious mementos from your college years. Periodically take it out to reminisce.
• Turn it into wall art. Some people turn their decorated hat into a work of art by framing the tassel creatively or embellishing the hat. Then it can be hung like a painting.
• Preserve the tassel. If you don’t want to keep the entire hat, save the tassel as a keepsake. Mount it attractively in a frame or shadowbox.

No matter how you choose to display your graduation hat, it will stir fond memories of your momentous college milestone every time you see it.