Doctoral commencement is one of the few occasions when a graduate may wear an academic gown, hood and tam together. Although the finished outfit looks formal and organized, putting doctoral regalia on correctly can be less obvious than expected.
Which piece goes on first? How should the academic hood sit? Should you arrive wearing the hood or carry it for the hooding ceremony? How should the tam fit? Where should the tassel hang?
The answers can vary by institution, particularly for hooding procedures and tassel traditions.
This guide approaches PhD graduation attire as a graduation-day dressing routine. It takes you from preparing your regalia the night before commencement through putting on the gown, arranging the academic hood, positioning the doctoral tam and performing a final appearance check before joining the procession.
Always follow your university’s current academic-dress and ceremony instructions when they differ from general guidance.
The Night Before Commencement: Lay Out Every Piece
Do not wait until you are dressed for graduation to discover that a component is missing.
Lay your complete academic outfit on a clean surface and identify each item.
Your doctoral ensemble may include:
- Doctoral gown
- Doctoral academic hood
- Doctoral tam or approved mortarboard
- Tassel
- Authorized academic stole
- Authorized recognition cords
- Other institution-approved accessories
Compare the Pieces With Your University Instructions
Before worrying about placement, verify that the regalia itself matches the requirements for your ceremony.
Check:
- Gown style
- Gown color
- Academic hood
- Headwear
- Tassel
- Permitted accessories
If your university has provided separate instructions for a doctoral hooding ceremony, keep those instructions with your regalia.
Inspect the Doctoral Gown
Hold the gown upright and look at the front and sleeves.
Many doctoral gowns feature velvet or velvet-like front facings and three bars on each sleeve.
Check for:
- Twisted sleeves
- Folded facings
- Shipping wrinkles
- Damaged seams
- Missing closures
- Incorrect size
Handle Wrinkles Before Graduation Morning
If the gown arrived folded, it may have wrinkles from packaging.
Follow the garment manufacturer’s care instructions.
Avoid applying aggressive heat without confirming that it is safe for the fabric, velvet or decorative components.
Inspect the Academic Hood
Next, unfold the hood and identify its basic structure.
Locate:
- The narrow neck opening
- The longer rear section
- The outer shell
- The inner lining
- The velvet or similar edging
- Any small attachment cord or loop
Doing this before commencement makes the hood much easier to understand when you are getting dressed.
Inspect the Doctoral Tam
Check the tam for:
- Correct size
- Correct color
- Secure construction
- Adjustment mechanism, if applicable
- Tassel attachment point
If your headwear uses a measured size, try it on again before graduation morning.
Attach the Tassel in Advance
If the tassel is supplied separately, determine how it attaches to the headwear and prepare it before commencement.
Do not wait until you are standing in the procession line to figure out the attachment.
Graduation Morning: Start With Your Clothing
Put on your regular ceremony clothing before the academic regalia.
If the university has issued a dress code, follow it.
Otherwise, think about:
- Professional appearance
- Temperature
- Comfort
- Length of the ceremony
- Walking distance
- Indoor or outdoor venue
Remember That Doctoral Gowns Can Be Warm
Doctoral gowns can contain more fabric and decorative material than simpler graduation gowns.
For an outdoor spring or summer commencement, overheating can become a practical concern.
Choose appropriate layers underneath while respecting any institutional dress expectations.
Put On Your Graduation Shoes Before Checking Gown Length
Your footwear affects the practical relationship between the gown and the floor.
Wear the actual or similar-height shoes you plan to use at commencement when performing your final fit check.
Dress in This Order
A practical sequence is:
- Regular ceremony clothing
- Graduation shoes
- Doctoral gown
- Authorized cords or stoles
- Academic hood, if you are instructed to arrive hooded
- Doctoral tam or approved academic cap
- Tassel
If your university conducts a formal hooding ceremony, the hood may need to be carried rather than worn initially.
Stage 1: Put On the Doctoral Gown
Slide one arm into each sleeve without forcing the fabric.
Allow the gown to settle naturally across your shoulders.
Then straighten the neckline and front panels.
Center the Gown Before Adjusting Anything Else
Stand in front of a mirror and compare your left and right sides.
The gown should not appear pulled toward one shoulder.
If it does, lift the gown slightly at the shoulders and allow the fabric to settle again.
Straighten the Doctoral Velvet Facings
If your gown has front velvet or velvet-like panels, make sure they are lying flat rather than folding inward.
Check that:
- Both sides appear balanced
- The fabric is not trapped underneath
- The neckline is centered
- The zipper or closure remains accessible
Check the Doctoral Sleeve Bars
Look at both sleeves.
If the sleeve bars appear rotated significantly toward the front or back, the sleeve itself may be twisted.
Straighten the sleeve carefully so the gown hangs naturally.
Close the Gown as Intended
If the gown has a zipper or another closure, use it according to the garment design and your institution’s expectations.
Do not assume that every doctoral gown must be styled identically for every ceremony.
Perform the Stair Test
If you can do so safely before leaving home or your hotel, walk up and down a few steps.
Check whether:
- Your shoe catches the hem
- The gown restricts your stride
- The sleeves interfere with handrails
- You can move comfortably
This is more useful than checking gown length while standing still.
Stage 2: Add Authorized Recognition Accessories
If your institution permits cords, stoles or other distinctions, arrange them after putting on the gown.
Do not add accessories simply because they are meaningful to you without checking commencement rules.
Keep the Neckline Organized
Doctoral regalia already includes an academic hood around the neckline.
Too many overlapping accessories can become difficult to arrange.
If several pieces are authorized, conduct a full rehearsal to determine how they should sit together.
Stage 3: Determine Whether the Hood Goes On Now
This is one of the most important ceremony-specific questions.
There are generally two situations:
Situation A: Arrive Wearing the Hood
Your institution may instruct doctoral graduates to enter the ceremony already wearing their academic hoods.
Situation B: Carry the Hood
For a formal doctoral hooding ceremony, graduates may be instructed to carry the hood so a faculty member or academic official can place it during the ceremony.
Follow your program’s instructions rather than choosing whichever method seems easier.
If You Are Carrying the Hood, Learn How Before Arriving
Some universities provide a specific method for carrying or presenting the hood.
That can help the person performing the hooding place it efficiently.
Do not tie, tightly fold or alter the hood unless instructed to do so.
Stage 4: How to Put On a Doctoral Hood
If you are expected to arrive wearing the hood, begin by finding the narrow neck opening.
Hold the hood so the larger section will fall behind you.
Carefully lower the neck opening over your head.
Allow the main body of the hood to fall down your back.
Pause Before Adjusting the Hood
Once the hood is over your head, do not immediately begin pulling on every section.
First determine whether it is twisted.
The hood should travel smoothly from the neckline toward the back.
Center the Neck Opening
Adjust the narrow portion so it sits comfortably and evenly around the neck and shoulders.
It should not feel as though the entire hood is pulling toward one side.
Ask Someone Else to Arrange the Back
A doctoral hood is difficult to adjust accurately from behind by yourself.
Have another person stand behind you and:
- Center the hood
- Remove twists
- Smooth the shell
- Arrange the lining
- Check the overall drape
Understanding What Your Helper Is Looking At
The academic hood is not simply a decorative scarf.
In traditional U.S. academic dress, the lining can represent the degree-granting institution, while velvet or similar edging can be associated with the academic discipline.
The exact design varies, which is why your helper should work with the hood’s existing construction rather than inventing a fold.
Display the Hood Lining According to Its Design
Academic hoods are commonly arranged so that at least part of the interior lining can be seen.
Some designs make this straightforward. Others require the rear portion to be turned or arranged in a particular way.
Follow any instructions provided with the hood or by the institution.
Do Not Over-Roll the Hood
Trying to expose as much color as possible can distort the hood’s intended shape.
The goal is correct presentation, not maximum color visibility.
Check the Velvet or Edging
The velvet or similar edging should sit naturally as part of the hood.
Make sure it has not been folded completely underneath or twisted.
Use Hood Attachments Only as Intended
Some hoods include a small loop, cord or other feature intended to help control movement at the front.
If yours does, use it according to the supplied instructions.
Avoid improvising attachment methods that could damage the hood, gown or clothing underneath.
Stage 5: Preparing for a Formal Doctoral Hooding
If the hood will be placed during the ceremony, the process may happen differently from the at-home dressing method.
Your institution may tell you where to stand, how to hold the hood and how to position your body.
Listen Carefully During Rehearsal
Hooding procedures can be choreographed to keep the ceremony moving.
You may be instructed to:
- Hand the hood to a faculty member
- Stand at a marked location
- Turn in a particular direction
- Lower your head slightly
- Bend your knees slightly if necessary
- Wait while the hood is arranged
- Move to the next stage position
Use the instructions provided for your event.
If You Are Tall, Pay Attention to Hooding Instructions
A faculty member may have difficulty placing the hood over a significantly taller graduate.
The ceremony organizers may provide instructions about lowering slightly or adjusting your stance.
Follow their direction rather than improvising during the ceremony.
Do Not Turn Around Unexpectedly During Hooding
The person placing the hood needs a predictable position.
Wait for the appropriate cue before moving.
Stage 6: Put On the Doctoral Tam
Once the gown and hood are ready—or once you are dressed for the procession if hooding will happen later—put on your academic headwear.
Doctoral graduates commonly wear soft tams, although some institutions use mortarboards or other approved styles.
Hold the Tam by Its Main Structure
Avoid repeatedly pulling the tam into position by the tassel.
Place the tam directly onto your head and adjust the crown afterward.
How Tight Should a Doctoral Tam Be?
The tam should be secure enough to remain in place when you:
- Walk
- Look downward
- Turn your head
- Sit down
- Stand up
It should not create excessive pressure or discomfort.
The Shake Test
Without making exaggerated movements, gently turn your head from side to side.
If the tam immediately slides or rotates significantly, the fit may need adjustment.
Do Not Choose Tam Position From Someone Else’s Photograph
Doctoral tams can have different constructions.
Four-, six- and eight-sided tams may naturally present differently.
Follow the design of your own headwear and any manufacturer or university guidance.
Four, Six or Eight Sides Does Not Change How Carefully It Should Fit
The number of crown sections does not determine academic rank or prestige.
Regardless of construction, the tam should be stable, comfortable and appropriate for the institution’s academic dress.
Stage 7: Arrange the Tassel
Once the tam is secure, allow the tassel to hang freely.
Check that it is not:
- Wrapped around the crown
- Trapped under the tam
- Tangled with hair
- Caught in the academic hood
- Hanging directly in front of your eye
Which Side Should the Tassel Hang On?
Use the instructions for your specific ceremony.
Undergraduate traditions concerning tassel movement should not automatically be applied to doctoral graduates.
Should You Move the Tassel During the Ceremony?
Only if your institution instructs you to do so.
Some ceremonies may incorporate a tassel movement while others may not.
Stage 8: Conduct the 360-Degree Doctoral Regalia Check
Before leaving for commencement, inspect the complete outfit from every direction.
Front View
Check:
- Gown centered
- Velvet facings straight
- Closure sitting correctly
- Authorized accessories balanced
- Hood neckline centered
- Tam secure
- Tassel untangled
Rear View
Check:
- Academic hood centered
- Hood untwisted
- Lining displayed as intended
- Gown hanging evenly
- Tam sitting securely
Left and Right Views
Check:
- Hood not pulling excessively backward
- Tam not tilting unintentionally
- Sleeves hanging naturally
- Tassel clear of the face
Use Your Phone Camera Instead of Relying Only on a Mirror
Take a short video while slowly turning around.
A video can reveal:
- A shifting tam
- A hood that moves excessively
- A gown hem that catches your shoes
- Uneven accessories
Stage 9: Practice Sitting in Doctoral Regalia
Graduates can spend a substantial portion of commencement seated.
Sit in a chair while wearing the full outfit.
Pay attention to the hood.
Avoid sitting directly on a long portion of the hood or pulling it sharply between your body and the chair.
Stand Up Without Stepping on the Gown
Practice standing smoothly.
This is especially useful if the gown is longer than clothing you normally wear.
Stage 10: Practice the Stage Walk
You do not need an actual stage.
Walk approximately the distance you expect to cover while wearing:
- The gown
- The hood
- The tam
- Your graduation shoes
Look forward rather than constantly checking the hem.
Practice Using Stairs
If your ceremony involves stairs, practice using them safely.
Use available handrails when appropriate and follow event staff directions.
Do Not Carry Too Many Personal Items
Large handbags, coats and unnecessary personal belongings can make academic regalia more difficult to manage.
Check whether your venue has restrictions on bags and personal items.
Outdoor Commencement: Prepare for Wind
Wind can affect:
- Tams
- Mortarboards
- Tassels
- Academic hoods
- Stoles
Make sure your headwear fits securely before arriving.
Do not make unauthorized alterations to academic regalia solely because windy weather is forecast.
Outdoor Commencement: Prepare for Heat
If the weather will be warm:
- Choose appropriate clothing underneath
- Hydrate according to event rules and personal needs
- Arrive prepared for time spent outdoors
- Follow university safety guidance
Outdoor Commencement: What About Rain?
Follow your institution’s weather plan.
Avoid assuming that doctoral regalia, velvet, academic hoods or tams can safely become soaked without affecting appearance or materials.
Doctoral Graduation Photos: Make the Regalia Part of the Story
Your academic dress contains visual details that may not be visible in a standard front-facing portrait.
Consider taking:
- Full-length front portrait
- Three-quarter portrait
- Rear hood photograph
- Tam close-up
- Gown sleeve detail
- Walking photograph
Before Every Photo Session, Reset the Outfit
Walking, sitting and hugging family members can shift the regalia.
Before important photographs:
- Straighten the gown.
- Check the front facings.
- Center the hood.
- Check the rear lining.
- Reposition the tam.
- Untangle the tassel.
Quick Fix: The Hood Looks Crooked
Do not simply pull down on the lower end.
Check the neckline first.
If the neck portion is off-center, repositioning it may correct the entire drape.
Quick Fix: The Hood Keeps Sliding Back
Check whether:
- The hood is backward
- The neck opening is twisted
- The gown collar is folded underneath
- An intended attachment has not been used
Follow the hood’s instructions rather than improvising permanent attachments.
Quick Fix: The Tam Keeps Sliding
Recheck:
- Tam size
- Adjustment mechanism
- Hair volume
- Position on the head
If the headwear is clearly the wrong size, address the issue before commencement rather than repeatedly repositioning it throughout the ceremony.
Quick Fix: The Tassel Keeps Falling Into Your Face
Make sure the tassel is properly attached and not wrapped around the crown.
Then place it according to your ceremony’s instructions.
Quick Fix: The Gown Feels Too Long
If the hem creates a walking hazard, recheck the gown size before the ceremony.
Avoid making last-minute permanent alterations unless you understand the garment construction and any applicable return or rental conditions.
Quick Fix: The Sleeves Look Uneven
One sleeve may simply be twisted.
Relax your arms, straighten the shoulder area and rotate the sleeve gently until it hangs naturally.
What Not to Do With Doctoral Regalia
- Do not guess hood orientation immediately before the procession.
- Do not assume undergraduate tassel rules apply.
- Do not add unapproved cords or stoles.
- Do not force the tam into an unnatural shape.
- Do not aggressively iron velvet or unfamiliar fabrics.
- Do not permanently alter rented regalia without authorization.
- Do not wait until graduation morning for the first full fitting.
Your 15-Minute Final Rehearsal
Minutes 1–3: Clothing and Shoes
Dress exactly or approximately as you plan to dress for commencement.
Minutes 4–6: Gown
Put on the gown and check the shoulders, sleeves, facings and length.
Minutes 7–9: Hood
If applicable, place the hood and have another person arrange the back.
Minutes 10–11: Tam
Put on the tam and confirm that it remains secure during normal movement.
Minute 12: Tassel
Confirm attachment and ceremony-specific placement.
Minutes 13–14: Walk and Sit
Walk, use a few safe steps, sit and stand.
Minute 15: 360-Degree Video
Record a short video from all sides and make final adjustments.
Doctoral Graduation Day Dressing Checklist
- Regular ceremony clothing on
- Graduation shoes on
- Doctoral gown centered
- Gown closure checked
- Sleeves untwisted
- Velvet facings straight
- Authorized cords/stoles arranged
- Hood worn or carried according to instructions
- Hood untwisted if worn
- Hood lining arranged appropriately
- Tam secure
- Tassel attached
- Tassel positioned according to ceremony instructions
- Front photograph checked
- Rear photograph checked
- Walking comfort confirmed
Doctoral Regalia From Cap and Gown Outlet
Cap and Gown Outlet is an independent academic regalia retailer serving individual graduates and qualifying group and institutional customers.
Depending on current product availability and configuration, academic-regalia selections may include:
- Doctoral graduation gowns
- Doctoral academic hoods
- Doctoral tams
- Graduation caps
- Graduation tassels
- Doctoral regalia packages
- Master’s academic regalia
- Bachelor’s academic regalia
- Graduation stoles
- Honor and recognition cords
- Diploma covers
Available styles, fabrics, colors, sizes, hood configurations, tam designs and package contents vary by product.
Graduates purchasing regalia independently should confirm the current academic-dress requirements of their degree-granting institution before ordering.
Independent Retailer Disclosure
Cap and Gown Outlet is an independent academic regalia retailer and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or officially authorized by any college or university unless an actual relationship has been established.
The availability of a doctoral gown, academic hood, tam, tassel or other academic-regalia product does not establish that the product is approved for a particular institution, doctoral program or commencement ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions About PhD Graduation Attire
What does a PhD graduate typically wear for commencement?
Doctoral academic dress can include a doctoral gown, academic hood, approved headwear such as a tam or mortarboard, and a tassel. Institution-specific requirements vary.
What order should doctoral regalia be put on?
A practical sequence is ceremony clothing and shoes, doctoral gown, authorized accessories, academic hood when applicable, then headwear and tassel. Ceremony-specific hooding instructions take priority.
Does the doctoral hood go over the gown?
Yes. The academic hood is generally worn with the doctoral gown, with the neck portion around the shoulders and the larger portion extending down the back.
Should I wear my doctoral hood into the ceremony?
Only if instructed to do so. Some doctoral graduates enter already hooded, while others carry the hood for a formal hooding ceremony.
How should a doctoral hood look from behind?
It should generally appear centered and untwisted, with its lining arranged according to the hood’s design and institutional instructions.
Why does my doctoral hood keep sliding backward?
Check its orientation, neckline, twists and any intended attachment mechanism. Incorrect placement can cause the hood to pull unexpectedly.
How should a PhD tam sit?
The tam should be comfortable and secure during normal walking, sitting and head movement. Exact positioning can depend on its construction.
Does a doctoral tam need to be eight-sided?
No universal rule requires an eight-sided tam. Four-, six- and eight-sided constructions exist, and institutional requirements vary.
Which side should my PhD tassel be on?
Follow your university’s commencement instructions. Tassel-placement traditions are not identical across all institutions and degree levels.
Should doctoral graduates move their tassels?
Only when instructed as part of the ceremony. Do not automatically apply undergraduate traditions.
Can doctoral graduates wear stoles and honor cords?
When permitted by the institution. Verify commencement rules before adding recognition accessories.
Should I zip my doctoral gown?
Use the gown as designed and follow institutional instructions regarding formal ceremony appearance.
Can I wear a doctoral gown without the hood?
Whether a hood is required depends on the institution, degree and event. Verify the complete academic-dress requirements for your ceremony.
How can I practice for a doctoral hooding ceremony?
Review university instructions, attend rehearsal when available, learn how you are expected to carry or present the hood, and practice the required stage movements.
How early should I try on my doctoral regalia?
Try on the complete ensemble well before commencement so there is time to address sizing, missing components or other problems.
From Getting Dressed to Crossing the Stage
Wearing PhD graduation attire successfully is less about memorizing dozens of academic-dress rules and more about preparing each component before commencement.
Begin with comfortable ceremony clothing and appropriate footwear. Put on the doctoral gown and allow it to settle naturally across the shoulders. Straighten the sleeves and front facings before adding authorized accessories.
Next, follow your university’s hooding instructions. If you are supposed to arrive hooded, center the academic hood and ask someone to arrange the back. If your hood will be formally presented during the ceremony, carry it exactly as instructed.
Finally, position the doctoral tam or other approved headwear so it is comfortable and secure, then arrange the tassel according to the ceremony’s directions.
Complete the process with a 360-degree check and a short walking and sitting rehearsal.
When you have already practiced the gown, hood and tam together, graduation morning becomes much simpler—and you can focus on the ceremony rather than trying to understand your academic regalia at the last minute.
