Hats off to the graduating class of 2013. Speaking of hats, many students want to get creative with the caps for graduation by adding some decorative flare for accepting his or her diploma.
"I think decorating our caps is fun, because it can show our personality and creativity among the other thousands of people wearing the same outfit," said Shelby Wilson, senior film and video production major.
Because the caps and gowns are rentals from school, students have been known to buy their own hats from separate organizations to add their own spin on them. Websites like Graduationsource.com sell graduation attire and offer a free cap and gown sample for students to try out before ordering.
"The rental caps and gowns must be returned to the university without damage or we have the authority to hold the student's diploma." Vanessa Muldrow, coordinator of commencement and student affairs events, said. "Making students buy their own hats has definitely not gotten in their way of decorating them. I have seen many fancy hats during graduation that make the student wearing it stand out from the norm."
Many seniors decorate their caps based on their majors, interests or organizations they were involved in throughout college. There are various crafting websites that are filled with ideas for designs and materials to use to make a cap unique to its owner.
"Pinterest is definitely the best site to find a big range of ideas for designing caps. I have seen it all on there, from rhinestone caps, to Greek letter caps to engineer-inspired caps. It is easy to grab aspects from all of them and compile them into one cap that is personal to you," Jennifer Allen, senior dietetics major said.
Although the cap and gown are crucial attire for graduation, the clothes underneath are just as important. There is not a strict dress code, but it is recommended that students dress up for the occasion.
"The only information we provide for them is that their caps and gowns will be black. After that, it is left up to the student to coordinate a fitting outfit for the occasion," Muldrow said. "I personally think students should dress church-time casual for the event. Families usually go out for a nice lunch after graduation so it is best to dress the part."
For women, a nice day dress and wedges would be suitable attire for the event and men typically should wear dress slacks, a button down, dress shoes and a matching tie.
"I would say dress as if you were going to church; not too fancy, but do not come strolling in with jeans and a T-shirt," Kellyn Turner, senior marketing major, said. "Ladies, I recommend minimal jewelry for a classic look. You want to keep your appearance for pictures timeless on such a special day."
Whether it is the decorative cap or the outfit underneath the gown, students should let their personalities sparkle when walking across the stage.
"As we walk across that stage for that split second, that is our time to shine. We have worked hard and I think our outfits should reflect that and how proud we are," Allen said.
