Regalia typically consists of a gown, a cap (such as a mortarboard or tam), and often a hood or tassel. These items are steeped in history, dating back to the medieval universities of Europe where they served both practical purposes—providing warmth in unheated stone buildings—and symbolic ones, indicating a scholar’s status and field of study. Today, the colours of the velvet on a doctoral hood or the specific cord draped over a shoulder tell a silent story of the wearer's discipline, such as light blue for education or drab for business. Buying vs. Renting
Many universities host "Grad Fairs" where students can buy their cap, gown, and tassel at a discounted price if they order by a specific deadline.
Ordering usually must be completed several weeks before the ceremony to allow for shipping and potential alterations. For instance, some online order deadlines fall roughly a month before the commencement date. buy regalia
Buying allows the graduate to keep their cap and gown as a memento of their hard work, often passed down or used for professional portraits. Where and When to Purchase
Purchased regalia allows for precise tailoring and higher-grade fabrics. For example, at Arizona State University , students can buy regalia through official Sun Devil Campus Stores to ensure their items meet specific institutional standards. Regalia typically consists of a gown, a cap
When deciding to buy regalia, most students and faculty weigh several factors:
For students graduating with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, ceremonies are often a once-in-a-lifetime event, leading many to rent or buy lower-cost "souvenir" sets. However, for those entering academia as faculty, purchasing high-quality, custom regalia is often more cost-effective over a long career. Buying vs
Most institutions partner with specific vendors like Herff Jones or Jostens to provide "official" regalia that matches the school’s unique colours and patterns.