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Regalia
Regalia is required for both the Main Ceremony and the departmental degree ceremonies.
Ordering Regalia
Online ordering is available now via the W&M/Oak Hall Website for all regalia.- Online ordering deadlines:
- After April 14, bachelor's and master's regalia must be purchased in person at the W&M Spirit Shop & Bookstore.
- Please allow two weeks for online orders to ship. Shipping times vary by location and order date.
Questions?
Contact shop manager Brian Adler at [[wmcloth]] or 757-221-1651, or visit the shop’s social media channels for answers to common question:
Regalia Instructions
- All graduates participating in the Main or Departmental Commencement Ceremonies must wear university-approved regalia.
- Only active-duty or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces may wear their service-appropriate military uniform for commencement ceremonies.
- Bachelor's and Master's regalia consists of a robe, cap, tassel, and a hood with colors indicating the graduate's degree.
- How to wear your hood.
- How to wear full regalia.
- Doctoral regalia consists of a robe, a tam, and a tassel; stripes on the robe's sleeves indicate the graduate's degree.
- Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until the degree is awarded, then move it to the left. This transition occurs collectively at the President's instruction.
- Graduate students, having already earned an undergraduate degree, wear the tassel on the left side of the mortarboard.
Mortarboards
Mortarboards may be decorated and custom collegiate stoles may be ordered and worn, provided they follow these staff-approved guidelines
- Decorations should not exceed the dimensions of a standard mortarboard (9"x9") or collegiate stole (68"–72" long, 4.5" wide).
- Decorations and customizations must not distract fellow graduates from the ceremony; lights, sound-making devices, and excessively bright colors are prohibited.
- Decorations and customizations must not include hate speech, profanity, or references to drugs, alcohol or weapons.
- Decorations must not threaten the safety of others when caps are thrown.
- Decorations must not interfere with attaching the tassel to the cap.
- Ceremony staff reserve the right to remove any individual who fails to follow these rules.
Dress Code
Graduating students must wear full regalia to participate in the ceremony. While there are no mandatory requirements, the following dress code is strongly encouraged:
- Students must be fully clothed beneath their robes.
- Business casual is recommended but not required.
- Students should consider the significance of the occasion when selecting an outfit.
- Ideally, clothing should not be visible beneath the robe’s hem, above the collar, or past the sleeves.
- Since high heat and humidity are expected, natural fabrics like cotton or linen are recommended.
Note: Students may be subject to a dress code check prior to entering the stadium to ensure compliance with event guidelines.
When to Wear Regalia
- Walk Across Campus
- Full regalia, including gown, hood, cap, and tassel.
- Main Ceremony (Friday evening)
- Full regalia, including gown, hood, cap, and tassel.
- Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until the degree is awarded, then move it to the left. This transition occurs collectively at the President's instruction.
- Graduate and doctoral students wear their tassels on the left side.
- Full regalia, including gown, hood, cap, and tassel.