Different Types of High School Graduation Hats
Graduating from high school is not only one of the biggest milestones of your teenage years, but one of the biggest milestones in life. Teenage years can be tough enough and dealing with the demands of school studies and schedules, while balancing extra-curricular activities and interests, and life with family and friends can prove extra challenging. That’s why when we finally make it to high school graduation day and seize our moment to make our family and loved ones proud as we step up to receive our high school diploma, it’s something you will cherish forever.
There are certain photographs that live forever in the homes of loved one and high school graduation photographs fall among those. Therefore, it’s ultra-important that you look the part. We are familiar with the graduation attire – that infamous cap and gown – having watched graduation scenes from movies and witnessed older siblings, friends or family members graduate. Now is your time to don that cap and gown.
Top of the priority high school grad “to do” list – getting a graduation hat and gown
Arranging the rental or purchase of your high school graduation gown should be top of the list of priorities. However, it’s key to note that that gown may not come with an accompanying graduation hat. What’s more, when you go to purchase or rent your high school graduation hat, you may suddenly find yourself overwhelmed with all the options. Who knew there could be so many types of grad hats? To help with your choice, we’ve put together a quick guide which overviews your options:
The Mortarboard Graduation Hat
The standard style of hat for all graduations, from preschool to master’s level, is the mortarboard hat. This hat gets its name due to its similarity in design to the boards used by bricklayers to hold mortar. Seems bizarre right? However, it’s a name that has stuck. Mortarboard hats have been a part of graduation attire for hundreds of years now worldwide.
Whereas they were traditional only worn in black, nowadays they are available in a range of different colours. Most high schools will stick to wearing the standard black colour but some may specify that grads wear hats in the school’s colours so be sure to check your high school’s policy before you purchase a grad hat.
High school grad hats can be typically purchased in matt or high lustre finishes – the choice is yours here, it just depends on the level of quality hat your desire. Don’t worry about sizing as most high school graduation mortarboard hats will be designed to be adjustable to comfortably fit most head sizes.
Grad Hat With Tassel
Why do some high school graduation hats come with tassels you ask? Good question! Tassels are an optional extra and offer symbolic representation. Part of graduation tradition is that tassels are traditionally worn on the right side of the cap before being moved to the left once you receive your diploma. Tassels are also used for decorative purposes. Some high school grads choose to don the standard back mortarboard with a coloured tassel in their school colour(s).
Grad Hat with Tassel and Charms
While perusing your options, you may also notice high school graduation hats for sale with both tassels and charms. While there are symbolic elements to the tassels, the charms are for decorative purposes and to serve as a lasting memento of your high school grad. The charms typically represent the date of your graduation day so that the date is never forgotten.
You may throw your hat in the air in celebration once you receive your diploma – as is common in grad celebrations – but the charm can be kept as a lasting keepsake, by you or your loved ones.
We hope our quick guide has made purchasing your high school graduation hat that little bit easier. Enjoy the planning, enjoy trying on and buying your attire and most importantly, we hope that you enjoy every single second of your high school graduation day!