The Best Accessories to Pair with Your Graduation Gown

Sun, 15 Jun 2025

Are you an outfit enthusiast who always loves to get compliments on your put-together look? Well, in that case, you must be aware of the importance of accessories for any look you're carrying. Graduation day is one of those moments you'll remember for a lifetime. If we are putting so much effort into our everyday looks, shouldn't we give our best to look presentable on such an important occasion as a graduation event?

However, "giving the best" doesn't mean loading yourself with a lot of accessories, especially in an era where minimal is believed to be more.

So, what should you carry?

Should you just wear the academic gown by itself, or will it look too plain?

Don't worry. We have gotten your back through this article and prepared all the answers to your questions.

Before we dive into our graduation accessorising tips, we must first address the fact that you should be incredibly proud of yourself for completing your education and reaching graduation day. Now that you have come up this long let's help you start your new chapter in style!

Wait, are you not the one graduating? In fact, you are the event planner of that big day. Don't just leave yet, as we have something useful for you too! Along with some exclusive details on graduation day's accessories, this guide also talks about the professionals who can provide you with the right graduation services and some valuable tips for event planners as a bonus. So, let's start.

Must-Have Accessories for Your Academic Gown

Few graduation accessories are essential for completing your academic gown, both for their ceremonial value and for their visual appeal. These items, which are a part of your regalia, symbolise various facets of your academic career.

Mortarboard and Tassel: The mortarboard, a traditional square cap, is paired with a tassel. The tassel, which is typically worn on the right and moved to the left after graduates are awarded, is a representation of success.

Stoles and Sashes: Often decorated in school colours or adorned with cultural and organisational emblems, stoles and sashes are worn draped over the shoulders and add a layer of personality and pride to your outfit.

Honour Cords: These multicoloured twisted cords are used to signify membership in a society, academic honours, or particular accomplishments.

Medallions and Pins: Medallions are usually worn around the neck, and colleges or universities often arrange them with the help of their graduation product supplier to honour exceptional achievement. In addition to including a refined touch, lapel pins and brooches can stand for associations or scholarly societies.

Badges: Badges are understated yet significant additions to your graduation accessories that are useful for classifying graduates by programme or role.

Practical Accessories for the Day

Beyond ceremonial items, some accessories help ensure you're comfortable and confident throughout your graduation event. Here's a list of these practical additions –

Comfortable Shoes: You'll be standing, walking, and possibly dancing. So, choose shoes that are stylish yet supportive. Closed-toe shoes or low heels are great options for maintaining balance and comfort.
Functional Bags: A small clutch or crossbody bag can hold essentials like your ID, phone and tissues without getting in the way of your gown. Some companies who run graduation event services are instructed by the institution to inform students about avoiding any bags over the gown. In that case, wear your crossbody bag inside the gown.
Hair and Makeup Tips: If you're wearing a cap, consider hairstyles that sit flat at the crown, such as low buns or straightened hair. For makeup, opt for a long-lasting, photo-ready look to withstand hugs, tears, and flash photography. Keep it simple and comfortable for the appropriate outlook.

Photo-Ready Tips

To make the most of your graduation photos and videos, keep these tips in mind:

Choose neat accessories like stoles, sashes, and cords. These stand out beautifully in shots taken by professional graduation photographers and won't get lost in your gown's fabric.

Use small but stylish touches like lapel pins or brooches to enhance your gown's details, especially in close-up portraits and videos.

Avoid overly shiny or reflective items, as they can create glare in images and disrupt lighting in graduation videography.

Make sure your cap fits snugly and sits flat. A tilted or loose mortarboard can look awkward in both still shots and footage captured during your ceremony.

Keep accessories symmetrical and well-positioned. Uneven cords or twisted sashes can be distracting in high-resolution photos provided by graduation photography services.

Where to Get the Best Graduation Accessories

Finding high-quality graduation accessories is just as important as choosing the right gown. Not all items are created equal, and to ensure you receive pieces that are both well-made and institutionally appropriate, it's best to go through a trusted graduation product supplier.

Reed Events is one of the most reliable names in the industry, offering a complete range of academic graduation services that start from gown hire and accessories to on-the-day support and photography. They also make the process smooth with their user-friendly regalia booking system, which allows graduates to select and reserve everything they need in one go.

Reed Events makes sure everything is organised and expertly done, whether you're looking for stoles, sashes, or gowns that complement the colours and customs of your university. Both individual graduates and Australian universities turn to them because of their meticulous attention to detail, extensive selection, and practical support.

Bonus Tips for Event Planners

For those involved in graduation event planning, getting the accessories right isn't just about style—it's about cohesion and branding. Here are a few effective tips to incorporate into your next event-

Match accessories with institutional branding – Use stoles, sashes, and cords that reflect your school or university's official colours and values to maintain a consistent look across all graduates.
Use a regalia booking system – A platform like Reed Events' regalia booking system simplifies the process of organising gown hire, sizing, and accessory coordination for large groups.
Coordinate with other elements of the program – Align accessories with stage design, photography backdrops, and official programs for a cohesive ceremony experience.
Plan ahead for bulk orders – Working with an experienced graduation event services provider ensures you receive everything on time and in the correct quantities.

Conclusion

Graduation accessories aren't just decorative—they add meaning, tradition, and personal flair to one of life's biggest milestones. For graduates and organisers alike, Reed Events offers complete graduation solutions backed by experience, quality, and care. So, to make your graduation event unforgettable or to make the event planning hassle-free, contact us today.