Graduation Tassel How To Wear: The Complete Collegiate Etiquette Guide

Mastering graduation tassel placement requires understanding traditional academic regalia protocols, specifically shifting the pendant from the right side to the left side during the commencement ceremony. Following standardized academic dress guidelines ensures a polished appearance for photography and compliance with institutional traditions.

Preparation and Regalia Checklist Before the Ceremony

Executing proper graduation regalia protocol requires assembling the complete academic ensemble and verifying that all components meet institutional specifications. Academic attire consists of a graduation gown, mortarboard cap or tam, the hood (for master's and doctoral degrees), and the tassel fastened to the button at the center of the cap.

• Essential Gear and Materials:
  
  
  • Standard mortarboard cap fitted with an elastic band or adjustable sizing strip.
  • Appropriate graduation tassel matching your school colors or specific degree discipline.
  • Bobby pins (4 to 8) to secure the mortarboard to the hair against wind and movement.
  • Handheld mirror for checking alignment before entering the processional line.
• Prerequisite Knowledge and Standards:
  
  
  • Undergraduate candidates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard prior to the official conferral of degrees.
  • Graduate and doctoral candidates typically wear the tassel on the left side continuously, or follow institutional guidelines dictated by the dean of academic affairs.
  • The mortarboard should sit flat on the crown of the head, parallel to the floor, rather than tilted back at an angle.
• Timing and Execution Benchmarks:
  
  
  • Preparation time: 10 to 15 minutes prior to line-up.
  • Degree shift moment: Exactly when instructed by the university president or commencement speaker during the mass graduation ceremony.

Step-by-Step Graduation Tassel Placement and Movement Workflow

Step 1: Mortarboard Positioning and Alignment

Prior to attaching or adjusting the tassel, position the mortarboard correctly on your head. The shorter side of the square board typically faces the front, or the internal label indicates the rear. Place the cap squarely on the crown of your head so the top board remains completely parallel to the floor. Secure the cap using bobby pins inserted crisscross into your hair near the temples and crown to prevent shifting during walking.

Pro-Tip: If your hair texture is fine or slippery, mist a small section of hair with hairspray before inserting the bobby pins to anchor the mortarboard securely throughout the multi-hour ceremony.

Step 2: Initial Tassel Attachment and Right-Side Placement

Locate the fabric loop at the top of the tassel and slide it underneath the fabric button located directly in the center of the mortarboard top. Allow the bulk of the tassel strands and the hanging charm to drape down over the right side of your cap. Smooth the individual strands so they hang flat against the side of your face and right cheek without twisting.

Warning: Never knot the tassel loop around the button in a complex fashion; it must remain easy to grab with one hand so you can execute the transition smoothly on stage without fumbling.

Step 3: The Ceremonial Tassel Shift

During the commencement ceremony, wait for the university president, chancellor, or keynote speaker to officially confer degrees and instruct the graduating class to move their tassels. Raise your right hand to gently grasp the tassel by its primary cord cluster rather than the delicate hanging threads. Smoothly sweep the tassel in an arc from the right side of your mortarboard across the front of your face to the left side.

Step 4: Final Left-Side Positioning Post-Conferral

Once the tassel rests on the left side of your mortarboard, allow it to hang naturally over your left temple and ear. Ensure the metal year charm (if applicable) faces outward rather than pressing inward against your skin. Keep the tassel in this left-side position for the remainder of the ceremony, during diploma retrieval, and throughout post-ceremony photography sessions.

Academic Regalia Configurations and Tassel Standards

Troubleshooting Common Graduation Tassel and Cap Malfunctions

• Tassel Slips Off the Mortarboard Button
  
  
  • Root Cause: The fabric loop at the top of the tassel is stretched out, or the wind caught the threads and pulled them off center.
  • Actionable Fix: Remove the cap momentarily, twist the fabric loop once into a figure-eight or double-loop configuration, and secure it tightly under the button. Alternatively, use a small clear rubber band or a drop of fabric glue to secure the loop base.
• Mortarboard Slides Forward or Tilts Backwards
  
  
  • Root Cause: Incorrect head sizing or failure to anchor the cap using bobby pins against the natural slope of the skull.
  • Actionable Fix: Reposition the cap so it sits horizontally two finger-widths above your eyebrows. Pin the interior band directly into your hair roots using at least four bobby pins arranged in an X-pattern.
• Tassel Strands Become Tangled or Frizzed
  
  
  • Root Cause: Humidity, static electricity, or handling the tassel excessively prior to walking across the stage.
  • Actionable Fix: Lightly mist the tassel strands with water or anti-static spray, then gently comb through the threads with a fine-toothed pocket comb until they hang straight.
• Uncertainty Regarding Institutional Shift Protocols
  
  
  • Root Cause: Non-traditional degree programs or unique university ceremonies that deviate from standard undergraduate procedures.
  • Actionable Fix: Attend the mandatory commencement rehearsal or consult the graduation packet provided by your registrar to confirm whether graduate-level candidates shift their tassels or keep them fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduation Tassels

Which side does the tassel go on before graduation?

For undergraduate students earning bachelor's or associate degrees, the tassel begins on the right side of the mortarboard. This indicates that you are a candidate for graduation who has not yet officially received your diploma. Graduate students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees typically wear their tassels on the left side from the beginning of the event.

When exactly do you move your tassel from right to left?

You must wait to move your tassel until the presiding university official instructs the graduating class that degrees have been officially conferred. This usually occurs near the end of the ceremony after all individual names have been read or after the collective class stands and receives the symbolic declaration of graduation.

Do master's degree candidates move their tassels?

No, master's and doctoral degree candidates generally do not move their tassels during the ceremony. Because they have already earned a prior undergraduate degree, graduate candidates wear their tassels on the left side throughout the entire event to signify their elevated academic status.

Can you secure the tassel so it does not blow around in the wind?

Yes, you can apply a tiny amount of hair gel or styling paste to the underside of the tassel strands to anchor them gently against the side of the cap. Ensure the fixative is invisible and does not stain your graduation gown or cap fabric.

What do the different tassel colors mean?

Tassel colors often correspond to specific academic disciplines according to the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume. For example, white represents arts and letters, golden yellow represents science, purple represents law, and drab represents business. Many institutions also use school-specific primary and secondary colors for all undergraduate tassels regardless of major.

Ensure your academic regalia is fully prepared for your big day by exploring our comprehensive guides on commencement attire, cap decoration ideas, and official graduation photography tips.