Your WVU cap and gown is the one outfit every WVU graduate wears. However, figuring out what to order can be surprisingly confusing. Also, you must decide which color tassel you need and which cords you’re allowed to wear.
Add in the rules about gown length, hoods, and stoles. It’s easy to feel unsure until the day you walk into the Coliseum.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from where to order to how to make sure it looks great in your graduation pictures.
Where to Order Your WVU Cap and Gown
You can buy official WVU regalia at two places: the Bookstore in person and Herff Jones online. That includes your cap, gown, tassel, and, if you’re earning an advanced degree, your hood. WVU’s What to Wear page states the commencement venue does not sell regalia, so you must purchase before graduation day.
My biggest tip is to order early. If you buy online, allow time for shipping and any sizing issues. If you’re graduating in December, keep in mind that many grads don’t have their regalia until close to commencement, which can make scheduling fall photos tricky. I cover that problem and an easy workaround in my guide to WVU December graduation photos.
WVU requires every graduate to wear official regalia to participate in commencement. The only approved substitution is full military dress.
What Color Gown Do WVU Grads Wear?
Most WVU graduates wear the standard blue cap and gown. Honors students are the exception. The WVU Honors College asks graduating Honors students to order a gold cap and gown instead, and awards them a cord before commencement. If you’re part of the Honors College, double-check which regalia you need before you order, since the gold gown is one of the most noticeable details in a graduation photo.
WVU Tassel Colors: How to Find Yours
Your tassel color is one of the most common questions grads have, and the answer depends on your field of study. WVU follows the classic academic color system used by universities across the country, where each discipline is represented by its own color. WVU explains that graduates wear the color associated with their field of study, not the college that awarded the degree.
Under that national system, for example, nursing is traditionally represented by apricot, law by purple, education by light blue, business by drab (tan), engineering by orange, journalism by crimson, music by pink, and the sciences by golden yellow. Colors can vary by school and by degree, though, so always confirm yours before ordering. The Herff Jones color guide linked from WVU’s graduation site lists the correct tassel and hood colors for each program; if your major isn’t listed, the WVU Bookstore staff or your college will tell you exactly which color you need.
If you’re a double major, WVU asks you to wear the color of the highest degree you’re receiving. If both degrees are the same level, wear the color of the group you identify with most. And if you’re earning a collaborative degree shared by two colleges, such as Biochemistry through Eberly and Davis, you can choose to participate with the college you feel most connected to.
Which Side Does the Tassel Go On?
At WVU, undergraduate students wear the tassel on the right side of the cap. Graduate students wear the tassel on the left side. These guidelines come from WVU’s commencement instructions, so you’ll walk in looking exactly right.
WVU Graduation Hoods for Master’s and Doctoral Grads
If you’re earning a master’s or doctoral degree, your regalia includes a hood. WVU’s regalia guide states that the hood is trimmed in velvet in the field color, and the lining shows blue and gold. For graduate students, the hood and tassel are the same color.
One detail that surprises many graduate students is that you don’t wear your hood into the ceremony. Instead, you carry it in, draped over your left arm, and you’re hooded on stage. At some colleges, doctoral candidates can choose the faculty member who hoods them, which makes the moment even more meaningful. If you’re planning graduation photos before commencement, bring your hood along so we can capture it, because it’s one of the most beautiful and meaningful parts of advanced-degree regalia.
WVU Graduation Cords, Stoles, and Medallions
Cords and stoles personalize your regalia, and WVU clearly explains what’s allowed.
WVU provides a few cords itself. Undergraduates graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude receive a Latin honors cord from their school or college before commencement. Military service members can pick up military honor cords from the WVU Veterans Office with proof of service. Intercollegiate Athletics gives athletic stoles to seniors in NCAA sports. The LGBTQ+ Center provides rainbow cords for wear at commencement during Lavender Celebration.
Beyond those, cords and stoles can come from academic programs, registered student organizations, University-recognized honor societies, and WVU athletic teams. Those organizations distribute their own adornments, so check with your club, sorority, fraternity, or honor society about how and when you’ll receive yours. Medallions are only awarded for academic purposes, such as the Honors College and the Order of Augusta.
There are a few limits to keep in mind. Graduates can wear a maximum of five cords, stoles, or medallions in total. Graduates must submit any new cord or stole design to the Provost’s office for approval at least 60 days before commencement. Anything using WVU logos or branding also needs approval from WVU’s trademark licensing office.
WVU Gown Fit and Alteration Rules
For the WVU cap and gown, there are specific fit guidelines.
Additionally, your gown should fall below your knees and above your ankles.
It should be about 8 to 10 inches from the floor.
Moreover, the sleeves should land below your elbow and above your wrist.
Alterations beyond these guidelines can affect your participation.
Avoid major changes, such as shortening your gown into a mini dress.
Under your gown, WVU recommends lightweight layers and comfortable shoes. The Coliseum can get warm when it’s full, and you’ll be on your feet for much of the day.
Can You Decorate Your WVU Graduation Cap?
Yes. Decorating your cap is a fun graduation tradition, and it’s a great way to show off your personality, your major, or to thank the people who helped you get here. Just remember that your cap will be seen in ceremony photos and on the livestream, so keep your design something you’ll be proud of for years. Decorated caps also make fantastic detail shots during your graduation photo session, so bring yours along if it’s ready.
Tips for Looking Your Best in Your Cap and Gown for Photos
Your cap and gown will show up in almost every graduation picture, so a little prep goes a long way. Steam your gown before your session, since the creases from the packaging show up clearly on camera. Check that your stole lies flat and even on both sides, your cords hang neatly, and your hood (if you have one) sits cleanly. Pin your cap in place with bobby pins so it stays put during cap tosses and a breezy day on campus.
If you don’t have your regalia yet when you want to schedule photos, borrow a cap and gown from a friend who’s already graduated. As long as it fits within WVU’s guidelines, no one will know the difference, and you can book your session when the light and campus look their best. For more styling ideas, check out my guide on what to wear for graduation pictures at WVU and my list of the best props for a college graduation session.
Frequently Asked Questions About WVU Caps and Gowns
Where do I buy a WVU cap and gown? At the WVU Bookstore locations or online through Herff Jones. The commencement venue does not sell regalia.
What color gown do WVU graduates wear? Most graduates wear blue. Honors College graduates wear a gold cap and gown.
What color tassel do I need? Your tassel color matches your field of study. Check the Herff Jones color guide linked on WVU’s graduation site, or ask the WVU Bookstore or your college.
Which side does the tassel go on? Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right. Graduate students wear it on the left.
How many cords and stoles can I wear? Up to five cords, stoles, or medallions in total.
Do I get honor cords from WVU? Latin honors cords are provided by your school or college, and military cords are available through the WVU Veterans Office. Organization cords come from the organization itself.
Can I wear something other than a cap and gown? The only approved substitute for WVU regalia is full military dress.
Show Off Your Cap and Gown
You worked hard for every cord, stole, and tassel on that gown, and they deserve to be celebrated. At Carrie White Photography, I love preserving every detail of your WVU regalia, from your tassel color to your decorated cap, in bright, joyful graduation photos on the campus where it all happened.
Ready to book your WVU graduation pictures? Contact us today to reserve your session. Let’s go, Mountaineers!
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