What is the difference between a graduation hood and stole?

An academic hood is worn over your shoulders and drapes down your back. In comparison, a graduation stole is worn over your shoulders also, but the lengths of colour drape down your front and the stole sits on either side of your chest.

Do you wear hood or stole first?

Lay your clothing out in the order of how you'll put them on. First, your outfit for the day. Next, your gown and hood, next your stole/sash and cords. Finally, your cap and your shoes.

What does it mean to have a graduation hood?

You have earned your degree and the right to wear the academic hood. The academic hood is a visual representation of your level of academic achievement and the scholastic degree being conferred.

Can any graduate wear a stole?

Considering that a stole can represent any major, all four-year college graduates technically qualify to wear a graduation stole at their ceremony. Members of Greek society are also identified by the unique stoles of their fraternities and sororities. Graduation stoles can carry cultural significance as well.

Why is it called a stole for graduation?

The word “stole” is derived from the Latin-Greek word “stola,” meaning garment, array or equipment. An academic stole is a cloth, scarf-like garment worn over the shoulders typically representing an accomplishment, membership or award.

How to Properly Wear a Graduation Hood

Can you wear a stole with a hood?

The scarf/stole is worn around the shoulders with the color trim at the front. If the recipient is also wearing a hood the scarf/stole is always put on first.

Who gets to wear a stole at graduation?

Wearing stoles for graduation is a way for students to show off their fields of studies, honor society memberships, and affiliations such as fraternities or sororities. They can also acknowledge military service, valedictorians, and salutatorians.

What do graduation stole colors mean?

Although, these days, you can essentially do whatever you'd like, there are some standard colors and symbols that are common according to The Classroom, if you need a basis to start from: White: Humanities, Arts, English, etc. Beige: Business. Green: Medicine, Pharmacy and Physical Education. Orange: Engineering.

Can I decorate my graduation stole?

The high-quality fabric stole gives a graduation gown a perfectly polished look, and students can design their own grad stoles using fabric markers, paints, glitter, pom poms, and more.

Who wears a graduation hood?

You most likely wear an academic hood at your graduation. An academic hood is also often worn by academics at university ceremonies, by professionals at conferences or industry gatherings and by teachers at school assemblies.

Do you need a hood for graduation?

There are subtle differences to the regalia worn at graduation. The bachelor's degree recipient wears a plain black gown with a bell sleeve and a red tassel on the cap, or mortar board, and no hood. The master's degree recipient wears a black tassel, a colored hood and a gown that has a visibly odd sleeve.

What to do with your hood after graduation?

Do graduates wear more than one stole?

Whereas graduates can drape themselves with multiple honor cords, graduates traditionally wear only one honor stole during their commencement ceremony. However, for universities with less strict attire rules, graduates have been known to layer two or more graduation stoles around their shoulders.

Who gets to wear a stole?

For colleges and universities, graduating students may wear a stole to indicate their affiliation with a fraternity, sorority, or other clubs and academic societies they participated in. Other graduating students may wear a stole to represent their field of study, each represented by a different color.

Do I need a stole for graduation?

A majority of schools don't require stoles to be worn at the ceremony. Many choose not to wear them, but a vast amount of students prefer to have them, as not only does it help them display their achievements and groups they were involved with, but it's also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they can't turn down.

What do 2 stripes on a graduation gown mean?

Bachelor's degree—one stripe. Master's degree—two stripes. Doctoral degree—three stripes. One could then instantly recognize the achievements of the wearer of the robe.

What is the best color to wear to graduation?

Wear White or Light colored outfits for a classic look

For a timeless and classic look, outfits with light colors and tones tend to work well, as they will never go out of fashion. Graduation is a joyous and celebratory occasion, so I'd aim for bright and uplifting colors to match!

How should a graduation hood look?

The hood should be worn draped around your neck and around your shoulders with the largest portion of the hood hanging down your back. Remember, the velvet border should be showing closer to your neck and on the top portion of the hood.

Why do people wear hoods at graduation?

Hoods seem to have served to cover the tonsured head until superseded for that purpose by the skull cap. Today, hoods are the most expressive component of the academic costume. They serve to communicate the owner's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding.

What does the black stole mean at graduation?

Each color has several meanings, for example: black is maturity/passing rites, gold is prosperity, green is growth/renewal and maroon is healing. Stoles are a popular addition to honor your students for their achievements and good grades at your graduation ceremony.

What does a white graduation stole mean?

At the university level, white generally indicates success in the liberal arts, but a white graduation stole can be used for any number of awards an honors.

How do you earn a graduation stole?

Win an Election or Class Honor

Valedictorians, salutatorians, and student council members are all distinguished with stoles. While it's not the easiest path to earning one, achieving any of these honors will make you stand out on both the graduation stage and your college or job applications.