How to Wear Doctoral Regalia? | Cap, Gown & Hood Order

The ceremony order for doctoral regalia follows a basic sequence: put on the gown and fasten it fully, place the tam so it sits level, carry the folded hood over your left arm, and only wear it once the hooding moment arrives. Getting this order right matters because each piece has a specific place, and local commencement rules at your school may adjust the standard practice. A few minutes of careful dressing keeps you looking polished for the photos and the procession.

Putting On the Doctoral Gown

The doctoral gown is long, features bell sleeves with velvet bars, and must be worn closed and fully fastened. The zipper or buttons should be done up completely before you adjust anything else — one campus guide states the doctor’s gown should “always be worn closed.”

Check that the shoulder seams sit correctly and the sleeve velvet lies smooth. Most doctoral gowns include velvet trim and three velvet sleeve bars — those are normal details, not defects.

The hood attaches at the front by a cord that connects to the gown’s top closure or to a shirt button. Let the hood tail hang down the back naturally; do not loop it under itself or tuck it in.

Wearing the Tam and Tassel

Doctoral graduates typically wear a tam instead of a mortarboard. The tam should sit level on your head, about an inch above the ears, per the Missouri graduation guide. Avoid tilting it or pulling it low over your forehead — a level, secure fit reads best in photos.

If your tam has a Velcro strap, position the strap toward the back of your head. The tassel hangs on the left side for doctoral candidates unless your institution directs otherwise. That left-side convention is the common standard, so only switch sides if your school’s ceremony instructions say to.

The tam may sit on top of the head or slightly toward the back, depending on the style you received — either position is generally acceptable as long as it stays level and secure.

Carrying and Wearing the Hood

The hood is the final piece, and timing matters. In hooding ceremonies, you carry the folded hood over your left arm during the procession, and you do not put it on until the hooding moment on stage. Wearing it before then is a common mistake that looks off in ceremony photos.

When the hood is placed, the velvet facing must be visible and lie flat over your shoulders, with the satin lining showing on the inside. The velvet stays outward; if the hood twists and the satin shows on the outside, the colors will not read correctly. The advisor or faculty member places the hood at the hooding moment — you do not put it on yourself.

Hood velvet and satin colors identify your discipline or institution, but exact color rules are school-specific. If you are unsure what your hood should look like when worn, check your commencement’s printed instructions before the ceremony.

Common Mistakes and Local Variations

Institutions may override general regalia conventions with their own rules, so your school’s commencement guide takes priority. Stanford, for example, is a known exception to the closed-front doctoral gown style — some institutions have their own gown construction. Doctoral regalia conventions also differ by degree and school, so hooding and tassel practice can vary.

The most common mistakes graduates make include:

• Wearing the gown open when instructions require it closed
• Putting the hood on too early, before the hooding ceremony
• Keeping the tassel on the right side when the left-side convention applies
• Letting the hood twist so the velvet is not visible on the outside
• Wearing the tam tilted or pulled too low

The safest approach is simple: follow your local ceremony instructions first, and use the general order above as your default if your school does not specify. If you are still shopping for your regalia, our roundup of top-rated doctoral regalia options shows what to look for before you order.