BY: Savanna Sabb
We all know the traditional garments for graduation– the black robe that feels rewarding to wear but is also bulky and unflattering on every body type, the tassel that swings every which way whenever you turn your head, and who can forget about the most iconic piece of all? The cap. Everyone pretty much looks the same at graduation with the exception of the cords and stoles that some students have earned. Do you know what would really set you apart from the crowd and will easily get your friends and families attention? Decorating your cap! Thankfully here at AUM they allow us to decorate our caps however we want, after all they are ours we earned them. With the help of Pinterest and YouTube, I gathered a few cap decorating ideas that you can recreate or take the idea and make it your own. Before I introduce you to the ideas, I listed below what you would most likely need for all of the different decoration styles.
Supply List:
Glue gun and glue stick
Sheets of glitter paper
Adhesive gems
Fabric paints
Fabric
Scissors
Silk flowers
Decorative Stickers
Decoration Ideas:
Your Favorite Quotes
Is there a quote that has stuck by you through your whole college career? Maybe you were having a hard time studying for an exam or keeping up with a class and you read that quote, and it kept you moving forward? Pay homage to the quote and decorate your cap with it.
Examples:
Nevertheless, she (he) persisted.
She (he) believed she (he) could so she (he) did.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
TV Show/ Movie References
Is there a line from your favorite show or movie that puts a smile on your face every time you hear it? Maybe a line that your favorite character has that said that became an inside joke between you and your friends? Why not decorate your cap with it? You can tweak the line a little bit so it can tie in with graduation I listed a few examples below and the movies or shows that they came from.
Examples:
(Movie- Mean Girls) “She doesn’t even go here… anymore”
(Finding Nemo) “I already forgot everything.” This is a reference to Dory- the fish with amnesia.
(The Office) “Okay, it’s happening. Everybody stay calm.”
(Friends) “The One Where I Graduate”
(SpongeBob) “Four Years Later…”
(Harry Potter) “Because Hogwarts Didn’t Take FAFSA”
Add Bling
If you’re wanting to keep it classy and somewhat simple, decorate your cap with adhesive gems. Simply stick them anywhere you want. You can go super heavy handed or just simple whatever you desire.
Add Some Humor
Here are a few ideas for those who just want to make everyone laugh at their graduation ceremony.
Examples:
“Now hotter by one degree.”
“I wined a lot, but I did it.”
“Now what?”
“1-800- HIREME”
“Straight Outta Financial Aid”
Dedicate It to Your Parents
Thank the people who supported you the most through your whole life- especially through your time in college. Keep it simple with just a “Thank you mom and dad.” I’m sure it will mean lots to them.
Song Lyrics
Your favorite song lyrics also make for a great cap decoration (As long as they are G-rated of course. You don’t want your grandma reading your explicit DJ Khalid lyrics, do you?) I have added a few ideas that you can consider, and of course you’re free to use your own idea.
Examples:
“99 problems but a degree ain’t one.”- Jay Z “99 Problems”
“Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.” – Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten”
“Don’t stop believing, hold onto that feeling.” – Journey “Don’t Stop Believin”
Flowers!
Flower crowns make for a cute and girly graduation cap. To make it simple, buy a flower crown (H&M I know for sure has them) and put it around the part of the cap that goes around your forehead. You can also purchase fake flowers and glue them to the top of the cap wherever you want.