Can You Keep Your Graduation Gown? What to Return and What's Yours

Graduation is over, the photos are taken, and now you're wondering whether you can keep your graduation gown.

The answer depends on whether you purchased or rented your graduation regalia.

Some graduates own their gowns and accessories after commencement, while others must return the rented pieces to their university bookstore or rental provider.

Before packing everything away, check exactly what your order included and which items belong to you.

Can You Keep Your Graduation Gown After Graduation?

If you purchased your graduation gown, it is generally yours to keep.

If you rented it, you will usually need to return it after commencement.

However, not every graduation regalia rental package has the same rules. Some allow graduates to keep the cap or tassel while requiring the gown and academic hood to be returned.

The important distinction is whether you purchased the regalia or paid for temporary use.

Check your university's instructions or rental agreement before deciding what to keep.

Graduation Regalia: What Can You Keep?

The pieces you can keep depend on purchase or rental agreement.

Graduation Regalia Ownership Comparison

Regalia item	Purchased package	Rental package
Graduation gown	Yours to keep	Usually returned
Academic hood	Yours to keep	Usually returned
Mortarboard or cap	Yours to keep	May be yours to keep
Doctoral tam	Yours to keep	May need to be returned
Tassel	Yours to keep	Often a keepsake, but check
Custom accessories	Depends on purchase	Depends on rental terms

A purchased graduation regalia package generally belongs to you, including the gown, hood, and accessories listed in your order.

With rented academic regalia, some pieces may need to be returned while others may be yours to keep.

Never assume that every item in a rental package follows the same return policy.

What Happens If You Don't Return Your Graduation Gown?

If you rented your academic regalia, keeping it without permission may result in additional charges.

Depending on the provider's terms, you could face late fees, replacement costs, or charges for missing items.

The exact fees and return deadlines vary by university and rental provider.

Paying a rental fee does not automatically give you ownership of the graduation gown.

If you want to keep your rented regalia, contact the provider before the return deadline and ask whether purchasing it is possible.

Do not assume that paying a late fee allows you to keep the entire set.

Can You Keep Your Graduation Cap and Tassel?

Sometimes, yes.

Some graduation regalia rental packages allow graduates to keep the mortarboard and tassel even when the gown must be returned.

However, this is not a universal policy.

For doctoral graduates, the doctoral tam may be part of the rental package and may need to be returned along with the doctoral gown and hood.

Check your specific rental instructions before treating any accessory as a keepsake.

Should You Buy Your Graduation Gown Instead of Renting?

If you want to keep your graduation gown as a souvenir, purchasing it may be the simplest option.

But there is another reason to consider buying: future use.

A Bachelor's graduate may never need the same academic regalia again.

For doctoral graduates and faculty members, the situation can be different.

If you expect to attend future commencements, hood students, or participate in academic ceremonies, owning your doctoral regalia removes the need to arrange another rental each year.

A complete doctoral regalia set commonly includes the doctoral gown, doctoral hood, and doctoral tam.

When you purchase the full set, you can keep those pieces together and have them ready for future academic ceremonies.

For a closer look at the long-term costs of ownership, read our earlier guide, "Buy vs. Rent Graduation Regalia: Which Is Actually Worth It?"

What Should You Check Before Buying Graduation Regalia?

If you decide to purchase your graduation gown, make sure you're buying the correct academic dress.

Check your university's requirements, degree level, gown style, academic hood, and required headwear.

Some institutions require proprietary or officially approved designs, while others permit compatible academic regalia from independent providers.

Also, confirm what is included in the purchase price.

A doctoral gown advertised separately may not include the doctoral hood or tam.

Cappe Diem offers complete doctoral graduation regalia packages that include a doctoral gown, doctoral hood, and doctoral tam, with multiple colors and configurations available.

If you want to own the complete set, verify that every required piece is included before ordering.

How Should You Store Graduation Regalia You Own?

If you purchased your graduation regalia, proper storage can help keep it ready for future use.

Follow the garment's care label and the manufacturer's instructions.

Make sure your graduation gown is clean and completely dry before storing it.

Use a suitable garment bag and avoid leaving the fabric tightly compressed for long periods.

Keep your academic hood and doctoral tam protected from dust, moisture, and crushing.

For heavier doctoral regalia, follow the manufacturer's recommended storage method so the gown maintains its shape between ceremonies.

Graduation Gown Ownership FAQ

Do I have to return my graduation gown after commencement?

If you rented it, usually yes.

Check your university or rental provider's instructions for the return deadline and which pieces must be returned.

Can I keep my graduation cap and tassel?

Some rental packages allow graduates to keep the cap or tassel, but policies vary.

Confirm the terms of your specific order before keeping any accessories.

Can I buy my graduation gown after renting it?

Some rental providers may offer purchase options, but this is not guaranteed.

Contact your provider before the return deadline to ask whether purchasing the rented gown is possible.

Do doctoral graduates have to return their regalia?

Doctoral graduates who rent their academic regalia usually need to return the rented components.

Graduates who purchase their doctoral regalia generally own the gown, hood, and tam included in their purchase.

Is it worth buying a graduation gown to keep?

It depends on whether you want a keepsake or expect to wear academic regalia again.

For doctoral graduates and faculty members who attend future academic ceremonies, owning a complete doctoral regalia set may offer better long-term value than repeated rentals.

Want Graduation Regalia That's Yours to Keep?

If you want academic regalia that you can use beyond commencement, compare the complete package before purchasing.

Check your university's requirements, confirm what is included, and choose a set that suits your degree and future academic ceremonies.

Cappe Diem offers complete doctoral regalia sets for graduates and faculty who want to own their academic dress rather than arrange another rental.

EXPLORE DOCTORAL REGALIA SETS