You’ve spent four years—maybe more, no judgment—dodging the George Mason statue's feet so you don’t trip on your way to a midterm. Now, suddenly, you’re staring at a deadline for a George Mason cap and gown and realizing that "green and gold" isn't just a color scheme; it’s a logistics puzzle. Honestly, it’s easy to feel like you’re back in a 300-level Econ course trying to figure out the difference between a regalia "bundle" and just buying the stole on eBay.
Commencement at George Mason University is a massive production. We’re talking thousands of students descending on EagleBank Arena, and if you show up in the wrong shade of green, you’re going to stand out in the worst way possible.
The University doesn't just hand these things out for free. You’ve gotta navigate the Barnes & Noble at GMU bookstore, understand the specific deadlines for the "Grad Fair," and decide if you actually want to drop a hundred bucks on a polyester robe you’ll wear for exactly three hours. It’s a rite of passage, sure. But it’s also a transaction. Let’s break down what actually happens when you try to get dressed for the finish line.
The Specifics of the Mason Green
Not all greens are created equal. If you try to save money by grabbing a generic dark green gown from Amazon, you’re going to have a bad time.
George Mason uses a specific, deep forest green that is custom-ordered through Herff Jones, the university's official partner. The fabric has a slight sheen to it, and the "Mason" seal is often subtly integrated or represented via the stole. If you’re an undergraduate, you’re looking at the standard gown, the mortarboard (that’s the square hat), and the tassel.
But wait. There’s the stole.
The "Stole of Gratitude" is a big deal at Mason. It’s that gold silk-like fabric that hangs around your neck. The tradition here is that you wear it during the ceremony, and afterward, you place it around the neck of someone who helped you get through school—a parent, a mentor, or maybe that one librarian who didn't kick you out when you fell asleep in Fenwick at 3:00 AM.
Masters and Doctoral Differences
If you’re finishing a Master's or a PhD, things get way more expensive and way more complicated. Master’s students have those weird "oblong" sleeves that hang down. You also have to worry about the hood. The color of the velvet on your hood depends entirely on your college.
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For instance, if you’re graduating from the Schar School of Policy and Government, your hood velvet is going to be Peacock Blue. If you’re in the Costello College of Business, it’s Drab (yes, that’s the actual name for the tan/beige color). The College of Engineering and Computing gets Orange. It’s a rainbow of academic hierarchy, and if you order the wrong color, your department might actually pull you out of the processional line.
Doctoral regalia is a whole different beast. You can rent it, which is pricey, or you can buy it, which costs about as much as a used 2012 Honda Civic. Most PhD candidates rent unless they plan on going into academia, where they’ll need to wear the "fine regalia" at every future graduation ceremony they attend as faculty.
The "Grad Fair" Trap and Timeline
Every semester, the GMU Bookstore hosts the Grad Fair. It’s usually a multi-day event in the Johnson Center or the bookstore itself.
Is it a "trap"? Not exactly. But it is high-pressure. They’ve got everything laid out: class rings, diploma frames that cost $200, and, of course, the George Mason cap and gown packages.
The benefit of going to the Grad Fair is that you can try things on. You find out that "One Size Fits All" for caps is a lie if you have thick hair or a larger head. You can also make sure you’re getting the right tassel color.
Deadlines matter more than you think. If you miss the early-bird ordering window, which usually closes about six to eight weeks before commencement, you’re stuck paying "rush" shipping. During the 2024-2025 academic cycles, we saw shipping fees spike for students who waited until the final month. Don't be that person. The bookstore usually keeps a small stock for emergency walk-ins the week of graduation, but they run out of the common sizes (like the 5'6" to 5'10" range) incredibly fast.
Buying vs. Borrowing: The Sustainability Dilemma
Let’s be real for a second. You are buying a piece of plastic. Most modern caps and gowns are made from recycled PET bottles, which sounds eco-friendly until you realize it’s basically just wearable oil that will sit in a closet for thirty years.
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Can you borrow a gown from a friend who graduated last year?
Technically, yes. If your friend was roughly your height and didn't spill champagne all over their robe during photos at the North Plaza, go for it. Just make sure the "Green" matches. Mason has updated its branding slightly over the last decade, and some of the older robes from the early 2010s have a slightly different hue compared to the current Herff Jones lineup.
The only thing you almost always have to buy new is the tassel. The tassel has the "2026" (or whatever year) charm on it. People will notice if your charm says 2023.
Decorating Your Cap: The Mason Rules
Mason is actually pretty chill about cap decoration compared to some of the stricter private universities. You’ll see a lot of "Thanks Mom & Dad," or nursing students putting stethoscopes on their caps.
However, there’s a practical limit.
EagleBank Arena has tight seating. If you build a 3D model of the Fairfax campus on your head, the person sitting behind you is going to hate you. Keep it flat. Use cardstock or glitter. Pro-tip: don't use heavy hot glue on the fabric of the cap; it tends to warp the cardboard insert and make the hat sit crooked on your head.
Also, remember that you have to flip the tassel. If your decorations are too bulky near the center button, that tassel is going to get stuck, and you’ll be fumbling with it while the President is speaking. It's awkward.
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Photos and the Statue
The day you get your George Mason cap and gown in the mail is the day you should go take your photos.
Do not wait until the day of Commencement.
The George Mason statue will have a line 50 people deep. The "Mason" sign at the entrance of the school will be a madhouse. Instead, go a week early. The lighting is better at sunset anyway.
If you want the best shots, head over to the Mason Global Center or the sunken garden areas. The reflection off the glass of the Horizon Hall also makes for some killer modern-looking grad shots.
Logistics on the Big Day
When you actually get to the arena, leave the gown unzipped until you get through security. It’s hot. Northern Virginia in May is basically a swamp, and wearing a heavy polyester bag over your clothes is a recipe for fainting.
Check your hem. The gown should hit you at mid-calf. If it’s dragging on the floor, you’re going to trip going up the stairs to the stage. If it’s up at your knees, you probably ordered the "Small" meant for someone a foot shorter than you.
Actionable Steps for Mason Grads
- Check your Mason email in February (for Spring) or September (for Fall). This is when the "Graduation Application" and the regalia links go live.
- Verify your height and weight. Regalia is sized by height. If you’re between sizes, always go up. It’s easier to hem a gown with some safety pins than it is to look like you’re wearing a crop-top robe.
- Order the "Basic" package if you’re on a budget. You don't need the "Legacy" package that includes a keychain and a souvenir tassel unless you really want the clutter. The essentials are just the gown, cap, tassel, and stole.
- Steam it. When the gown arrives, it will be folded into a tiny square. It will have deep, ugly wrinkles. Do NOT iron it directly; you will melt the fabric. Use a steamer or hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.
- Secure the cap. Bring bobby pins. The Mason cap is notorious for sliding off, especially if you have silky hair or are wearing it at the back of your head for a "halo" look.
Getting your George Mason cap and gown is the final boss of your college career. It’s a bit of a hassle, and it’s definitely an expense, but standing in the tunnel of EagleBank Arena with your cohort makes the scratchy fabric worth it. Just make sure you get the green right.
Next Steps for Success: * Log into the GMU Bookstore website today to check the current window for regalia "Early Bird" pricing.
- Contact your specific college coordinator if you are a dual-major to ensure you are wearing the correct hood color for the ceremony you chose to walk in.
- Book a photographer at least two months in advance if you want professional shots at the George Mason statue; those slots fill up faster than parking in Lot K on a Tuesday.