Gowns for Grads

Caps and gowns that are provided by the program to students must be returned to the program after your graduation ceremony.

How to Return:

In person:
Drop off at the SSAC Office in SUB I Suite 3200 during business hours (Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM).

Via Mail* to:
University Life
c/o Gowns for Grads
4400 University Drive, MSN 24A
Fairfax, VA 22030

*If you plan to mail your gown please let us know by emailing [email protected] so we know to expect it!

Please return your Gown no later than Friday May 29th, 2026.

Below are some tips on how to properly care for your gown:

• Upon receiving your gown, make sure to hang it up to allow for the wrinkles to fall out
• You can use a steamer to remove stubborn creases
• DO NOT use an iron as this will melt the fabric of the gown
• Spot clean or hand wash the gown in cold water should you find or create a stain
• DO NOT dry clean gowns
• DO NOT wash hoods; if a stain occurs hoods need to be dry cleaned

Undergraduates

Step 1: Put on gown

Step 2: Put on stole(s) if applicable

• Place around neck, make sure the stole sits flat against neck- these should go under any honor cords

Step 3: Put on Honor Cord(s) if applicable

• Place around neck on top of stoles

Step 4: Put on Medal(s) if applicable

• Placed on top of honor cords & stoles

Step 5: Put on Cap

• Short side is the front of the cap and the long, pointed side is the back of the cap
• Tassel should be on the right side of your cap (during the ceremony you will be asked to move your tassel from right to left when degrees are conferred)

Step 6: Graduate!

Master’s, Law, and Doctoral

Step 1: Put on gown

Step 2: Put on stole(s) if applicable

• Place around neck, make sure the stole sits flat against neck- these should go under any hoods & honor cords

Step 3: Put on Honor Cord(s) if applicable

• Place around neck on top of stoles; should go under hoods

Step 4: Put on Medal(s) if applicable

• Placed on top of honor cords & stoles; and go over or under hoods

Step 5: Put on Hood

• Front of Hood: Velvet side up, triangle and hood string pointing down
• Hood String:
  • Master’s and Doctoral: Hood string should be secured using a button that is on the inside of the robe in the left side, just below the university emblem. Can be secured with a double loop
  • Law: Law hoods do not have a button and cannot be secured without a safety pin
• Back of Hood:
  • Start with velvet side up
  • Flip satin panels out at the bottom of the hood, so green and gold stain can be seen
  • Secure string across with the corresponding button
  • If string is loose, you can create a loose knot in the middle to make the string more secure

Step 6: Put on Cap

• Short side is the front of the cap and the long -pointed side is the back of the cap
• Tassel should be on the right side of your cap (during the ceremony you will be asked to move your tassel from right to left when degrees are conferred)

Step 7: Graduate!

Regalia Donations

Gowns for Grads relies heavily on donations, especially now that new regalia is on its way. If you purchased new regalia, please consider donating it to Gowns for Grads as it supports your fellow Mason Patriots!

How to Donate Regalia:

Drop off at the SSAC Office in SUB I Suite 3200 during business hours (Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM).

OR

Mail to:
University Life
c/o Gowns for Grads
4400 University Drive, MSN 2A4
Fairfax, VA 22030

Important Note: Due to the recent change in regalia, Gowns for Grads can only accept gowns from Fall 2024 or newer.

Monetary Donations

Don’t have a gown to donate, but would like to donate funds to buy a Mason student regalia? You can simply make an online donation here.  You can also send a check made payable to the “George Mason University Foundation” and in the memo line reference “Student Success Initiatives” to the address listed above.  Specific costs are indicated on the GMU Bookstore website linked below.  You can donate for a specific item or with a lump sum towards the initiative.

Regalia can also be purchased at the GMU Bookstore.