Harvard University

Harvard requires all graduates participating in Commencement (and other degree‑conferring ceremonies) to wear the official regalia approved by the university and distributed via its vendor.

For undergraduate and master’s degree candidates, academic dress includes a black mortarboard cap, a black or dark gown, and the approved tassel. Doctoral candidates wear a more elaborate regalia: a distinctive crimson doctoral gown with velvet panels and the characteristic “crow’s‑feet” emblems on the lapels + sleeves, and a black velvet tam or mortarboard.

Hoods for graduate and doctoral degrees are part of the regalia. Harvard hoods have a black shell lined with crimson silk (the University’s traditional color), not trimmed in discipline‑colored velvet as many other universities do.

The “crow’s‑feet” emblems — one of Harvard’s unique markers — vary: double‑foot for earned degrees, triple‑foot for honorary degrees. The emblem color and gown details differ by school/faculty, ensuring regalia reflects the graduate’s school within Harvard.

Harvard prohibits unauthorized adornments on regalia; only approved regalia items, hoods and tassels issued by the University, are allowed.

It appears publicly that there is no formal “honor cord or stole color‑chart” issued by Harvard (unlike many U.S. colleges); the regalia tradition emphasizes uniformity and uses the gown/hood variations and school‑specific emblems for distinction rather than cords or stoles for discipline or honors.

In sum: Harvard’s commencement regalia policy is rooted in tradition — black gowns/caps with mortarboard or velvet tam, crimson‑lined hoods for graduates, distinctive “crow’s‑feet” emblems by degree/school, and no public standard for honor‑cord/stole color schemes. The regalia is official and must be ordered through authorized channels to be valid for ceremony participation.

Harvard University Academic Regalia – Cap, Gown, Hood & School‑Emblem Detailing

Official commencement attire for Harvard University graduates — mortarboard or velvet tam, academic gown, hood (for graduate/doctoral candidates), with embroidered school‑specific emblems to denote degree school/faculty.

• Academic Gown: Black for undergraduates and master’s degrees; crimson with velvet panels for research doctorates. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Cap & Headwear: Mortarboard for Bachelor’s/Master’s; black velvet tam (or mortarboard) for Doctoral recipients. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Graduation Hood (Graduate/Doctoral): Plain black shell lined with crimson silk; hood length distinguishes Master’s vs Doctoral degrees. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Embroidered Crow’s‑Feet Emblem: Double chevrons for earned degrees; triple for honorary. The color of the emblem corresponds to the Harvard school or faculty (e.g., white, orange‑gold, purple, green, salmon‑pink, etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Official Regalia Ordering: All regalia must be obtained from Harvard’s approved vendor (Herff Jones) via the formal ordering portal — required to participate in Commencement. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Harvard University, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.