Your academic gown is made of a synthetic fabric blend, so it tends to be warm on a hot day and will not provide warmth on a cold day. Also, the gown is black, and will soak up rays on a sunny day, no matter what the temperature is. Dress comfortably beneath your gown, be mindful of the weather—plan a couple of alternatives in advance to be ready for anything on Commencement Day. Think about what you want to be seen in once you remove the gown, especially if you are going out to celebrate with family and friends.
Your cap comes with elastic in the hat for a flexible fit, so the days of ill-fitting caps are over, thankfully, but it will hug your head nevertheless. Count on it to give you “hat hair” with all but the closest or tightest hairstyles. It is a good idea to try your cap on well in advance to decide how you will wear your hair with it— that way you will feel confident on Commencement Day about the way you look, and your graduation photos will be great!
Footwear should be comfortable enough to tolerate standing for a long time, walking on uneven surfaces, and going up and down stairs. Bare feet are not permitted.