The Purpose of Academic Hoods

For your big day in school which is your graduation ceremony, graduates are commonly required to wear pieces of garments which is collectively referred to as the academic regalia. This regalia is generally composed of graduation gowns, academic square caps and academic hoods. The wearing of such garments have been based on tradition which can be traced during the middle centuries. The garments are associated with academic excellence and are great symbols of academic accomplishment particularly a degree in college.

Every piece of garment in the academic regalia has its own particular purpose. In this article, we will solely focus on the purpose of academic hoods. We have all basically seen the standard academic regalia, and most have wondered what these garments are for and their significance in a graduation ceremony particularly the graduation hoods. Hoods are basically the most noticeable garments among all the items of the academic regalia, so it would be understood why many people would get to wonder for their purpose.

Long ago, academic hoods were used to distinguish a student from a particular university from another. Over the course of time, the same principle has been adapted except for some changes. Modern day graduation hoods are used to distinguish and classify graduates according to their field of study or degree. The colors and designs of the hoods determine which group of students does a graduate belong to. On the end of the students, this gives them identity and it makes them feel significant and proud for accomplishing a particular degree.

The same thing goes for graduates of higher degrees. The complexity and more majestic design of their graduation hoods make them different and stand out from the bachelor’s degree graduates. It somewhat exudes power and pride having to wear a different and more special kind of hood.

Aside from them used to classify graduates and giving them identity, the most general purpose of graduation hoods is to aesthetically liven up the ceremony with colorful fabrics. We just could not imagine a graduation ceremony having everyone wear plain graduation gowns which are generally in black. Perhaps the term “graduating with flying colors” has even been coined from the graduation hoods that are worn by the graduates.

Having known the importance of graduation hoods, it is therefore important to purchase hoods which are made out of fine and quality materials. In our previous article entitled Tips When One Gets to Buy Graduation Gowns, one will be guided with some helpful tips in purchasing the graduation apparel which you need.

For quality graduation apparel, it is recommended to purchase them in the most convenient way available and that is by using the internet. Online stores like Grad Shop offer a wide selection of academic dress for graduation for you to choose from. They assure that their garments are made out of fine materials, modern and most importantly affordable that you will never have to go to a different store or go spend extra effort in going to the nearby graduation shop. Visit their website today and check out what they have to offer you!

A Guide On Wearing Graduation Hoods and Tassels

The tradition of wearing the graduation regalia has long been practiced by generations before. The formality of the event demands a manner of clothing that requires the attendants to wear formal attire, and the candidates for graduation to wear a graduation ensemble which consists of a graduation gowns, graduation hoods and graduation caps, and of course the graduation tassels. These are the crucial items that one needs to provide for one’s graduation day for these are the sole items that can help the attendants identify from which study or school the candidate for graduation belongs to. In order to help prevent one from confusion, here are some tips as to how one should wear their whole graduation ensemble.

First, one must first put emphasis on wearing a graduation gown. Graduation gowns are made of such delicate fabric that must not be overly stretched in order not to ruin its fine texture. It is one fact that the material of a graduation gown can be easily creased, which is why they are iron pressed immediately after receiving them. Take note that they should never be washed. Doing so may cause its color to fade away. Wear the graduation gown the same way that one wears an over coat, or a polo shirt, making sure that the length reaches mid-calf.

The next thing that one must wear is the graduation hoods and tassels. They are the accessories that one is required to use when one graduates from a master’s degree. It plays a big role despite their being an accessory. Graduation hoods and tassels and they key indicators as to which college or field of study the candidate is graduating from. The graduation hood is made of the same material used for the graduation gown, and has a velvet part on it which represents the school’s color. They vary in length, depending on the level of education that the one wearing it has garnered. The longer the graduation hood, the higher the level that one is graduating from. Wear the hood over the head, making sure that the tails fall off at the back of one’s graduation gown. Make sure that the velvet part of the hood is positioned to the outside of the hood. On the other hand, the lining of the hood which is situated at the lower back must be turned out. Since one cannot do this alone, ask the assistance from a friend or a colleague.

Last but definitely not the least are the tassels. Some tassels are already attached to the graduation cap. If not, all one needs to do is to just attach the looped side of the tassels to a button that is situated on top of the graduation cap. After doing such task, make sure to position the graduation tassels to the right hand side, or to the left hand side, depending on which position the university requires.

The graduation gowns, graduation hoods or graduation hoods for masters degree and tassels, are the most important garments that one must wear when one graduates with a master’s degree. Without such garments, one will never be noticed of his or her level of educational attainment.

The Advantages of a Used Academic Regalia

The idea of using a set of used academic regalia may be unappealing but it is the most practical way of saving money during the whole process of the graduation preparation. The candidates for graduation are all required to have their regalia sets with them and they must wear it on the day of the graduation. The graduation ceremony is one big academic tradition that is observed at the end of the academic year. This occasion testifies that the academic institution is successfully carrying out its mission and vision by producing another batch of worthy individuals that have passed all the requirements that their respective colleges have placed unto them. Since this occasion will be quite a momentous and important one for the whole academe, everybody involved and present for the ceremony is expected to look and feel their best

One of the many things that this occasion cites as a tradition would be the wearing of the academic regalia. The wearing of the academic regalia or graduation attire  originated from the practice that was done by Oxford University over a hundred years ago. Since then, the wearing of the regalia has been done by all academic institutions in the world to the point that every candidate is expected to wear his or her own academic regalia on the day of the ceremony.

What every candidate must be able to fully understand is that it is essential that he or she will be able to secure his or her own regalia before the upcoming ceremony. The time that will be given for graduation preparation usually spans for a couple of days to a couple of weeks depending on the schedule of the university or the school. During this time, the scouting for graduation shops and suppliers should be the topmost priority and the rest of the activities can take its course with its own schedule.

It is again emphasized that the candidate can always choose the option of getting an used academic regalia since it would be more practical for a budget-conscious individual. However it is highly suggested that a candidate opt to get a reservation and rent the regalia and actually purchasing it since this will only be used once and a few hours to that. Renting the regalia also cost so much less than purchasing it. The candidate must view shops and the quality of the merchandise they are offering with utmost scrutiny so that he or she can make sure that he or she will get his or her money’s worth.

Overall, the graduation ceremony deserves only the best out of everything. It is the task of every candidate to look and feel his or her best on this day especially that this will be the day that the candidates’ alma mater will honor them in front of everyone to see. A good quality used academic regalia will be the epitome of a person being at his or her best. This part of the ceremony should not be neglected; in fact, this should be one area that every candidate must pay a good amount of attention to.