The graduation hood is a symbol of academic achievement and distinction. It is worn over the academic gown during graduation ceremonies. Putting on a graduation hood can be a bit tricky, but it is important to do it correctly to ensure that you look your best on your big day. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to put on a graduation hood:
First, identify the front and back of the hood. The front of the hood is usually the side with the tassel. Once you have identified the front and back of the hood, place the hood over your head so that the front of the hood is facing forward. Next, adjust the hood so that it fits snugly around your neck. The hood should not be too tight or too loose. Finally, fasten the hood by tying the tassel around the neck. The tassel should be tied in a square knot.
Once you have fastened the hood, you can adjust the drape of the hood so that it looks its best. The hood should drape evenly over your shoulders and back. If the hood is too long, you can fold up the bottom edge of the hood. If the hood is too short, you can let down the bottom edge of the hood. The hood should be long enough to reach the bottom of your gown, but it should not drag on the ground. Once you are satisfied with the drape of the hood, you are ready to graduate!
Identifying the Hood’s Position
Determining the correct positioning of your graduation hood is crucial for a seamless and professional appearance during the ceremony. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you wear your hood correctly:
1. Locate the Lining and Trim:
| Feature | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Lining | Typically made of velvet or satin, the lining faces inward toward your body. |
| Trim | A contrasting border made of velvet or satin, which should face outward and is visible when the hood is worn. |
2. Orient the Hood:
With the lining facing inward and the trim facing outward, drape the hood over your shoulders, aligning the center of the trim with the back of your neck.
3. Adjust the Neck Size:
Locate the adjustable strap or cord at the back of the hood and tighten it comfortably around your neck. Ensure that the hood sits snugly but not too tightly, allowing for slight movement when you turn your head.
4. Position the Tassel:
The tassel, usually made of silk or rayon, hangs from the tip of the hood. Place the tassel on the right-hand side of your hood, allowing it to fall naturally over your shoulder.
Preparing the Hood for Placement
Before donning your hood, it is crucial to ensure that it is properly prepared and ready for placement.
Inspecting the Hood
Carefully examine the hood for any tears, stains, or loose threads. If any imperfections are found, consult a professional for timely repair to avoid any potential mishaps during the ceremony.
Determining the Proper Orientation
Most hoods are designed to be folded in half along the center line. The outer lining should face outward, while the inner lining should be against your shoulders. The open end of the hood should be positioned at your neck.
Preparing the Hood for Placement
To prepare the hood for placement, follow these steps:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Fold the hood in half along the center line, with the outer lining facing outward. |
| 2. | Hold the open end of the hood with one hand and the folded end with the other. |
| 3. | Insert your head through the open end and position the hood on your shoulders, ensuring that the inner lining is against your skin. |
| 4. | Adjust the hood’s position until it comfortably sits on your shoulders and the open end rests at your neck. |
Drape the Hood on the Left Shoulder
With the cord draped around your neck and the hood hanging in front of you, carefully lift the hood over your head and place it on your left shoulder. The hood should be positioned so that the open end is facing forward, and the colored lining is visible.
Next, take the cord that is attached to the right side of the hood and bring it over your right shoulder. Take the cord that is attached to the left side of the hood and bring it over your left shoulder. Cross the cords over each other in front of your chest, with the left cord on top.
Finally, bring both cords back behind your neck and tie them together into a bow. The bow should be positioned at the base of your neck, and the cords should be hanging down evenly on either side.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lift the hood over your head and place it on your left shoulder. |
| 2 | Bring the right cord over your right shoulder. |
| 3 | Bring the left cord over your left shoulder. Cross the cords over each other in front of your chest. Bring both cords back behind your neck and tie them into a bow. |
Tie the Cord Over the Right Shoulder
Once the hood is in place, the next step is to tie the cord over the right shoulder. This cord is typically made of silk or velvet and is attached to the hood at one end and has tassels at the other end.
To tie the cord, follow these steps:
| Steps to Tie the Cord | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Take the cord in your right hand and place it over your head, with the tassels hanging down in front of your left shoulder. |
| 2. | Bring the cord over your right shoulder, crossing it over the left cord (if there is one). |
| 3. | Pull the cord down towards your waist, creating a loop around your neck. |
| 4. | Take the tassel end of the cord and insert it through the loop created in step 3. Pull it through until the cord is snug around your neck, but not too tight. |
| 5. | Adjust the cord as needed so that it is comfortable and the tassels hang evenly. |
Adjust the Hood’s Symmetry
Once the hood is securely placed, it’s crucial to ensure its symmetry to enhance the overall appearance and prevent any awkward misalignments. Here’s a step-by-step guide to adjusting the hood’s symmetry:
1. Visualize a Center Line: Imagine a vertical line running down the center of your back, dividing your body in half. This imaginary line serves as a reference point for ensuring symmetry.
2. Check the Lining: The lining of the hood should be evenly distributed across the shoulders. If one side appears longer or shorter, use your hands to carefully adjust the lining until it’s symmetrical.
3. Secure with the Cord: The cord or tassel provided with the hood should be used to secure the hood in place. Gently tighten the cord while simultaneously checking for symmetry. Avoid overtightening, as this can cause the hood to become lopsided.
4. Ask for Assistance: If you’re struggling to adjust the symmetry on your own, don’t hesitate to ask a friend, family member, or trusted colleague for assistance. They can provide an external perspective and help ensure the hood fits perfectly.
5. Additional Tips:
– Use a Mirror: Standing in front of a mirror can help you visually assess the hood’s symmetry and make necessary adjustments.
– Check Both Sides: It’s essential to check the hood’s symmetry from both the front and back to ensure a polished and professional appearance.
– Practice Makes Perfect: Getting the hood on perfectly symmetrical can take a bit of practice. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect right away. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be able to master this task effortlessly.
Secure the Hood with a Safety Pin
To ensure that your hood remains securely in place throughout the ceremony, you will need to secure it with a safety pin. Follow these steps to do so:
- Choose a safety pin that is of a suitable size and color. It should be large enough to hold the hood in place but not so large that it is visible or distracting.
- The safety pin should match the color of the hood if possible. This will help to make it less noticeable during the ceremony.
- Locate the center of the hood’s neckline. You can feel for the seam or fold in the fabric, which will indicate the center.
- Insert the safety pin through the center of the neckline, from the inside of the hood to the outside.
- Close the safety pin securely, making sure that it is holding the hood in place firmly.
- If necessary, you can use additional safety pins to secure the hood further. Place these pins at the corners of the hood or along the sides, as needed.
Additional Tips:
Here are some additional tips to help you secure your hood with a safety pin:
- Test the safety pin before the ceremony to ensure that it is holding the hood securely.
- If you are concerned about the safety pin being visible, you can cover it with a small piece of tape or fabric.
- Be careful not to pierce the fabric of the hood when inserting the safety pin.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Safety pin | A pin used to secure the hood in place |
| Center of the neckline | The point where the front and back of the hood meet |
| Corners of the hood | The four points where the hood meets the shoulders |
| Sides of the hood | The two edges of the hood that run along the sides of the head |
Check the Hood’s Alignment
Once you have attached the hood to your gown, it’s important to ensure it is properly aligned. Here are detailed steps to check the alignment:
1. Check the Center Point
Locate the center point of the neckline on the back of your gown. This is usually indicated by a small hook or loop. Align the center of the hood’s neckline with this point.
2. Adjust the Hood’s Length
Verify that the hood hangs evenly on both sides of the gown. If it is uneven, adjust the length of the cords accordingly to balance it out.
3. Position the Velvet Edge
The velvet edge of the hood should be positioned correctly. It typically goes around the base of the hood and extends down the front and back in two parallel lines. Ensure that the velvet edge is even on both sides and does not bunch up.
4. Secure with Pin
Use a safety pin to secure the hood to the gown at the neckline. This will prevent it from slipping out of place.
5. Practice Drape
Practice walking and moving with the hood in place to ensure it hangs correctly. Make any necessary adjustments to the alignment or cords to achieve a comfortable and secure fit.
6. Inspect Visually
Take a step back and inspect the overall appearance of the hood. It should be symmetrical, hang evenly, and complement the gown harmoniously.
7. Check Table
Refer to the following table for a summary of the alignment checks:
| Check | Action |
|---|---|
| Center Point | Align hood center with gown neckline center. |
| Length | Adjust cords to balance hood on both sides. |
| Velvet Edge | Position velvet edge evenly around hood base and down front/back. |
| Pin | Secure hood to gown with a safety pin at neckline. |
| Drape | Practice moving to ensure comfortable and secure fit. |
| Visual Inspection | Check overall symmetry, evenness, and appropriateness. |
Position the Hood’s Tail
Once the loop is created, it’s time to position the tail of the hood. The tail should be centered on the back of your head, with the point falling between your shoulder blades. To ensure proper alignment, follow these steps:
- Reach behind your head and grasp the tail of the hood.
- Lift the tail up towards the back of your head and adjust it until the point is positioned between your shoulder blades.
- Release the tail and make sure it remains centered.
- If necessary, ask a friend or colleague to assist you with the alignment.
- Once the tail is correctly positioned, it should hang down smoothly over your back.
| Right Tail Alignment | Incorrect Tail Alignment |
|---|---|
|
The tail falls centered between the shoulder blades, with the point facing down. |
The tail is off-center or not positioned between the shoulder blades, resulting in an uneven appearance. |
Tuck the Hood’s Inner Side
The inner side of the hood is typically folded up and hidden from view. To fold the inner side, follow these steps:
- Hold the hood in front of you with the open end facing up.
- Fold the bottom edge of the hood up to the top edge, making sure that the folded edge is even.
- Fold the folded edge up once more, creating a double hem.
- Tuck the folded edge inside the hood.
- Smooth out the hood and make sure that the folded edge is not visible.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hold the hood in front of you with the open end facing up. |
| 2 | Fold the bottom edge of the hood up to the top edge, making sure that the folded edge is even. |
| 3 | Fold the folded edge up once more, creating a double hem. |
| 4 | Tuck the folded edge inside the hood. |
| 5 | Smooth out the hood and make sure that the folded edge is not visible. |
Maintain Proper Hood Placement Throughout the Ceremony
10. **Proper Hood Display:** Ensure the hood is worn with the lining facing outward. The velvet trim should rest on the shoulders, and the lining should drape over the arms.
11. **Adjust for Comfort:** If the hood feels too tight or loose, adjust the neckband or tassel to find a comfortable fit that allows for easy movement.
12. **Hood Etiquette:** Avoid touching the hood or tassel during the ceremony. Keep the hood in place by holding it gently with the thumbs or index fingers.
13. **Keep it Upright:** Ensure the hood remains upright throughout the ceremony. If it starts to slip, gently adjust it without causing a disturbance.
14. **Height Check:** Check the height of the hood occasionally to ensure it’s positioned correctly over the shoulders. Adjust the tassel if needed to maintain the desired height.
15. **Avoid Obstruction:** Be mindful of any obstacles that could snag the hood, such as protruding chairs or microphones.
16. **Hats and Hoods:** If wearing a cap, position the hood over the cap without hiding the cap’s button or tassel.
17. **Positioning for Photos:** When taking photos, ensure the hood is worn correctly and doesn’t obstruct the face or gown.
18. **Practice Makes Perfect:** Practice wearing the hood in advance to become comfortable with its positioning and movement.
19. **Seek Assistance:** If experiencing any difficulties or discomfort with the hood during the ceremony, discreetly ask for help from a faculty member or fellow graduate.
20. **Respect the Tradition:** Wearing the hood is a significant tradition. Maintain its proper placement as a symbol of your educational achievement and academic community.
How to Put On a Graduation Hood
A graduation hood is a traditional academic regalia worn over the shoulders to signify the degree earned. It is typically made of velvet or silk and is lined with a contrasting color. The length and shape of the hood vary depending on the degree and the university. Here are the steps on how to put on a graduation hood:
-
Hold the hood in front of you with the lining facing you. The inside of the hood should be against your body.
-
Place the hood over your head, making sure that the velvet or silk part is on the outside.
-
Tie the cords at the neck and adjust the length of the hood so that it falls evenly over your shoulders.
-
Straighten the hood and make sure that it is comfortable to wear.
People Also Ask About How To Put On a Graduation Hood
Can I wear my hood after graduation?
In most cases, yes. However, there may be some restrictions on when and where you can wear your hood. Check with your university’s policy for specific guidelines.
What does the color of my hood mean?
The color of your hood signifies the degree that you have earned. There are different color combinations for different degrees, so be sure to check with your university for the specific meaning of your hood’s color.
What if my hood is too long or too short?
If your hood is too long or too short, you can adjust the length by tying or untying the cords at the neck. If you need further assistance, you can consult with the staff at your university’s graduation office.
