Most doctorates swap the standard mortarboard for a soft, multi-sided velvet tam (usually 6 or 8-sided) with a gold bullion tassel. Shopping Tips for Your Academic Armor
The most personalized piece. The velvet trim color represents your academic discipline (e.g., Dark Blue for PhD, Light Blue for Education, Purple for Law), while the satin lining displays your university's colors .
A doctoral degree is the "final boss" of academia, and the regalia you wear to celebrate it should reflect that. Whether you are a new PhD or a faculty member looking to upgrade your "academic armor," buying your own regalia is a significant investment in your professional identity. Why Buying Beats Renting buy doctoral regalia
Custom regalia typically requires 4 to 8 weeks for production and shipping.
You can often find high-quality, fully compliant regalia at a lower price point than the campus bookstore. Look for sellers that offer "University Matching" tools to ensure the colors are correct. Most doctorates swap the standard mortarboard for a
Some schools have highly specific "official" colors (like Harvard Crimson or Yale Blue) that must be matched exactly.
While renting is a common one-time solution, purchasing your own set offers several long-term advantages: A doctoral degree is the "final boss" of
Many graduates view their regalia as a tangible symbol of years of dedication, often becoming a family heirloom.