Introduction
Headwear is more than a fashion statement: it can mean something more; a functional piece of equipment, or a marker of achievement. There are not two hats that are as dissimilar in their function and cultural impact as the beanie and the graduation cap. One is daily, providing warmth and support, the other reserved for pride and achievement.
The beanie, with its tight fit and comfortable versatility, is an essential part of winter clothing across the globe. The graduation cap, or mortarboard, in contrast, is tradition, and is worn only for a milestone life achievement.
The article in question examines the history, symbolism, and wearability of each headpiece and explains why it is different. By the end, you’ll feel a better sense of what these hats stand for.
1. The Beanie: Everyday Warmth
a. Purpose and History
The beanie has humble beginnings. It originated with cold-climate working-class workers who demanded practical headgear to keep them warm in harsh winters. Initially, beanie models were generally woollen, a natural insulator, and snug so they wouldn’t move while working.
Over time, the beanie stepped beyond its utilitarian functions and into fashion and subcultures. By the 20th century, the beanie was the icon of relaxed cool for skaters, surfers and street wearers. It is a ubiquitous global product that cuts across age, sex and class. Whether on a snowy hike or at a café, the beanie is an all-purpose outfit.
b. Key Features
One of the reasons the beanie is a go-to garment is that it’s easy to wear and adaptable.
Materials:
- Beanies are typically fabricated from wool, fleece, acrylic, or blends of both.
- Wool beanies are prized for their warmth, which drains sweat and keeps the head warm.
- Fleece and synthetic blends are lightweight options, making them ideal for activewear.
Design:
- The snug fit allows for optimal heat retention, while oversiding the ears for extra insulation.
- Available in rib-knit or slouchy versions, the beanie matches many individual styles.
Versatility:
Beanies come in a myriad of colors, designs and patterns to match with any kind of casual wear, sport attire, and even office wear in the colder months.
c. Everyday Use
But the beanie is not only practical, it’s also chic. Its utility and simplicity made it a favorite for innumerable uses:
Cold-Weather Activities:
The beanie is ideal for outdoor sports such as hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. Because it’s small, it can slip under helmets or hoods without slipping off, giving you extra warmth.
Casual Comfort:
Whether on cold commutes, grocery shopping, or coffee dates, the beanie goes perfectly with jackets, scarves, and boots. Its minimalistic style gives an air of cool laid-back glamour to any outfit.
Appeal Across Generations:
The beanie is beloved by everyone, from babies to grandparents. Its combination of utility and flair makes it a wardrobe essential in any age.
2. The Graduation Cap: A Meme of Success?
a. Purpose and History
The mortarboard or cap is culturally and historically significant as it represents the culmination of decades of study. Although it is used regularly in contemporary rituals all over the world, it has long-standing roots in the tradition of academic universities.
Origins in Medieval Academic Attire
The shape of the graduation cap originated in medieval Europe, where academics and religious men wore a headgear to symbolise their intellectual or priestly status. During the Middle Ages, learning was conducted mainly in religious settings, such as monasteries and universities, which established standardised academic regalia. The first types of academic hats were plain and practical, and aimed to mark academic standing within these colleges.
The mortarboard’s square design is believed to have been inspired by the “biretta”, a similar hat worn by early Renaissance priests. The biretta had a flat, square top – a design element that would later replace the academic cap. By the late-16th century, the square cap had become a staple of student dress, especially in European universities, where it appeared in addition to robes and other ceremonial attire.
Evolution into the Modern Mortarboard
From religious wear to scholarly wear, the graduation cap’s shift from symbolism to officialhood was one that marked the development of a formal dress. By the time university campuses were permeating the world, the mortarboard had become an important part of academic dress.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, American and European universities standardised graduation dresses, and the mortarboard first came into existence in its familiar form. The round flat board, often black and with a tassel at the top, symbolised intellectual success and promotion from student to graduate.
b. Key Features
The graduation cap is an identifiable, and distinctive, ephemeral item seldom worn outside of formal events. It is laden with purpose, symbolism, and meaning through design, materials and form.
Materials
The material used to produce a graduation cap plays a critical role both structurally and ceremonially.
Stiff Board:
The outer body of the cap is generally made of a stiff board, which is upholstered with felt or polyester. The rigid body of the cap lends it its square form, a representation of the knowledge and wisdom ‘housed’ in it. Though black, the shade varies by institution or school.
Fabric Covering:
It’s the cloth overlay on the mortarboard that gives the cap its uniform appearance. Black is usually the most widely used colour of graduation caps, though it might vary depending on the university or degree. Other universities or departments have distinctive colours that denote distinct faculties or specialties — for example, blue for philosophy or red for law.
Tassel:
Perhaps the best known feature of the graduation cap is the tassel. Traditionally, the tassel is made of silk or nylon and is tied from the centre of the cap to point backwards and forwards as part of marking specific milestones in the ceremony. The tassel color may correspond to the major the graduate holds or, occasionally, the university colours.
Structure
The mortarboard is to be worn around the head, flat on the face, and wrapped in a circular band around the head. The flat square cap top was one of the defining characteristics of the cap and is associated with intellectual advancement and a student ‘accumulating’ knowledge. The shape of the cap also echoes the shape of books or knowledge, further confirming the cap’s relation to learning.
The tassel is fastened on the top of the square board and traditionally placed on the right side of the cap at the commencement of a ceremony. When the graduate’s name is pronounced, and they receive their degree, they are asked to turn the tassel from the right to the left so that they will be graduated rather than a student.
It’s the simple act of twirling the tassel, the transition from someone being taught to someone having been educated that marks the transition, and for the majority of students, this is a very emotional event.
c. Cultural Significance
It’s hard to overemphasize the cultural importance of the graduation cap. It lies at the heart of the celebration of academic success and the completion of years of study, labor and self-improvement.
Central to Graduation Ceremonies Worldwide
Graduation caps define many ceremonies around the world. At the high school, college or university level, it’s an incredibly significant and anticipated ceremony in which students don robes and caps to celebrate completion of an academic program.
The ritual itself is symbolic:
- The Cap and Gown Tradition: The cap and gown symbolizes the student’s intellectual career and the school’s academic tradition.
- Degree Convocation: Whenever a student receives their diploma, there’s usually a symbolic tug of the tassel or handshake with the degree-granting faculty member. It is the formal recognition of the student’s accomplishment and initiation into the next phase of life.
- In all cultures and education systems, the cap remains central to these celebrations. In the US, for instance, the mortarboard is an established requirement for graduation at all levels of education. Some universities in the UK still retain varieties of academic caps and robes, particularly at graduate and post-graduate levels. Even in non-Western cultures, variations of the cap exist, each symbolising the same academic achievements.
Connected with Personal Improvement, Success, and Rejoicing.
The affective impact of the graduation cap is not merely symbolic – it evokes the individual process students go through while enrolled. The cap represents the road to nowhere, through failures and triumphs. The cap is an image of the perseverance needed to finish a programme, and it is a physical symbol of one’s development.
As graduates cross the stage to receive degrees, the cap signifies success. Years of studying late into the night, taking tests, and doing projects, all come to an end here. Many people feel it to be a significant moment in their lives, one that could open up new opportunities, new obstacles, and even new identities.
Beyond the personal, graduation caps also embody larger cultural ideals of learning and knowledge. They reaffirm the social role of education and serve as a public affirmation of the graduate’s readiness to go out into the workplace, community or the wider world.
3. Head-to-Head: Beanie vs. Graduation Cap
The beanie and the graduation cap are not the same, and yet each is distinct from another, in fashion, culture and function. Let’s see how these two classic headgear stack up in terms of some important criteria: functionality, fashion, sentiment, and the function for which they are used.
a. Functionality
It’s an ultra-utilitarian beanie. It mainly serves to make us feel warm in the winter. A winter hike or a simple day running errands, the beanie’s cuffed shape and insulating fabrics (wool or fleece) keep you warm.
In contrast, the cap of graduation is purely ceremonial. It’s not intended to be warm or weatherproof, but to celebrate a significant academic achievement. Outside of graduation ceremonies, there is no practical use for the graduation cap.
When it comes to wearability, the beanie comes out on top for casual occasions, and the graduation cap takes the top spot for academic events.
b. Style and Aesthetic
The beanie is the most laid-back accessory out there. It comes in so many colors, designs and patterns that people can personalize it. It’s wearable at any age and it pairs well with almost any casual look. Whether you want it plain, monochromatic, or knitted in a bright design, the beanie is wearable everywhere.
The graduation cap, on the other hand, is formal, conservative, and entirely conventional. It is only permitted in highly ritualised, very formal ceremonies and rarely finds a place beyond them. The cap itself is simple in its form – there are no subtle changes of shape, just slight variations of tassel colour or trim to show the wearer’s discipline or the university logo.
The beanie gives you individuality and mobility, but the graduation cap just has uniformity and pomp. In terms of aesthetically malleability, the beanie clearly prevails, but the graduation cap occupies a distinct, mythical role in formal dress codes.
c. Emotional and Cultural Impact
While the beanie is loved for its warmth and convenience, it’s less heartbreaking than the cap. It is perceived as a symbol of domesticity, ease and casual wear, but it is not culturally or emotionally profound.
By contrast, the graduating cap is an object of incredible emotional resonance. It is the culmination of a lifetime of effort, personal development and thought. When a student crosses the stage with their diploma and pulls out their tassel, it marks the completion of a significant milestone in life. The cap of graduation itself becomes a memento of that day, and it is typically kept and hung to represent success.
As far as emotional impact is concerned, the cap that you wear when you graduate is certainly more important. It stands for pride, accomplishment and the meaning of the finished journey.
d. Occasions to Wear
The beanie is able to be worn every day of the year, keeping you comfortable and looking stylish through the winter. It is an all-purpose piece of wear that can be worn for casual occasions and sports in the outdoors.
The graduation cap, however, is purely ceremonial and is worn only at graduation. It’s a marker of the close of an academic career and it’s worn only once—or only at reunion ceremonies or academic events.
The beanie is by far more wearable than the graduation cap.
4. Combining Symbolism and Practicality
a. Hybrid Options
For the last couple of decades, fashion and nostalgia have produced clever hybrids that combine the symbolic power of the cap from the graduation ceremony with the utilitarian utility of the beanie. These crossover hats are an ingenious and creative way to show off some academic accomplishments while still enjoying the softness and coziness of a beanie. Let’s get a look at some hybrid designs that sit between the ceremonial aspect of the graduation cap and the everyday utility of the beanie.
Graduation Cap-Themed Beanies for Grads or Themed Functions
Beanies based on a graduation cap are a great way for graduates to have a hat that ties them to the school while maintaining the feel and warmth of a beanie. For reunions, parties, or homecomings at college, a beanie with a faux-graduation cap design is a flirty and playful way to show off your grades without attending a graduation ceremony. These beanies typically have tiny, breathable square tops tacked to the beanie and a tassel attached to the side. This is a design that captures the feel of the graduation cap in a more comfortable and casual way.
The beanie design might include school colors, embroidered logos or patches that identify the college or university from which the wearer earned a degree. All these add a personal and nostalgic dimension to the hat for graduates. It’s a way to mark a major academic milestone without the elaborate dress code.
Tassel-tailed beanies or small fake mortarboards make a special appearance for special occasions such as graduation parties or university galas. They’re a great way to express yourself in a fashionable manner and a conversation piece. Whether worn by visitors or graduates themselves, these brimmed hats can show both humor and pride for academic achievement.
Tassel Design Beanies for Graduation: Cool Graduation Graduation Tip!
Another hybrid is the tassel-adorned beanie that sometimes resembles the tassel on a graduation cap. You can pin tassels to the head of a beanie, or tie them loosely on the side if you want to be more whimsical. The beanies are ideal for those who may not want to make a serious, indirect mention of graduation or school accomplishment without investing in the full graduation cap.
This pattern is now popular for themed parties, school spirit days, or just casual gatherings. It’s a strange, irreverent way to express academic pride without being so detached from the ease and adaptability that a beanie offers. They also are customizable, and the beanies come in various tassels colours or styles to suit the wearer’s personality or school they attended.
Designers even make custom-made beanies with designs that reflect the atmosphere of a high-school graduation but respect the wearer’s desire for comfort and practicality. These hybrid hats are a brilliant example of how fashion is able to play with the boundaries between symbolism and practicality to produce a fashionable, memorable piece of accessories.
b. Creative Applications
Even beyond minimalist hybrid patterns, there are plenty of ways to bring academical references and ironic references to the cap at the top into mainstream fashion. These creative uses combine utility with sentimentality, making it easier for people to wear their achievements in a more low-key, fashionable way. Let’s take a look at some crafty items and innovative concepts that combine the fun of the graduation cap with the practical warmness of a beanie.
Combining College Memorabilia with Contemporary Styles for Sensational or Compositional Uses.
Pins, embroidery, and patches are the easiest and most effective way to integrate graduation signs into daily clothes. Squintily embroidered mentions of the cap or university regalia on a jacket, a backpack, or even a beanie can provide an erotic reference to the college experience.
For example, a student or alumnus could sew a small tassel to the brim of a beanie, bringing back memories of the cap without making it the main feature of the hat. The same goes for university-themed embroidered signs or logos, with the familiar square or cap silhouette, either incorporated into the pattern of the hat or worn as a patch. Such patterns personalise style by reminding you of a student’s collegiate career without being overly formal and utilitarian in the same way as a beanie.
For DIY fashion enthusiasts, creating a graduation-themed beanie can be a fun and creative activity. A beanie might be decorated with a small cloth square, reminiscent of the mortarboard, and a delicate, hanging tassel. Add a dash of bling, beading, or the colors from your school. It would be great for anyone who wanted to do a simple yet meaningful thing to celebrate their academic achievement and keep the look casual and accessible.
DIY Ideas for Themed Photoshoots or Family Reunions
If you like to hold themed parties or go for fun photoshoots, bringing together the symbolism of a graduation cap and the cosy comfort of a beanie is an easy make-yourself project. The idea of making a custom beanie featuring a graduation cap design could be great for a photo shoot that celebrates learning in a casual and playful way.
Consider making the base from a beanie, and then creating a tiny felt square top that rests on top of the hat like a graduation cap. Try a tassel to add an embellishment that could either hang off the side or drape over the top. The tassel can be custom-created with colorful thread for the slapstick, celebratory feel, or even coordinating with a graduation gown or school spirit.
These hand-me-down hats might be given out as part of a reunion or alumni event to those attending. It’d not only be a fun accessory for guests, but it would make an ideal memento as well, a personalized design that will give you all the memories of graduation day. It’s a fun, collaborative way to mark academic accomplishments and boast about being affiliated with a certain institution.
5. Choosing Your Hat: Practicality or Symbolism?
In deciding between a beanie and a graduation cap, it really depends on how you’ll use the hat and why it’s meaningful to you. Both hats have different cultural associations and are used for different things. Let’s talk about when you need to wear a beanie and when the graduation cap is better.
a. When to Choose a Beanie
A beanie is an essential and versatile piece for every day, especially when it’s cold outside or during the winter months. Beanies provide warmth, comfort and convenience, as well as they can be worn while outdoors for hiking, skiing, or simply exploring the streets of town. They’re perfect for comfortable, casual environments.
If you’re only concerned with staying warm, while still looking cool and effortless, then the beanie is the obvious pick. Beanies also match a variety of clothes, from sportswear to street wear and are the perfect go-to item for parties or days spent outdoors. Plus, beanie styles vary from minimalistic and basic to loud and vibrant, so you can really be as creative as you want to be.
Beanies not only offer warmth but they’re also extremely lightweight and packable. They fit in a bag or pocket without taking up a lot of space, so they’re great for the occasional impromptu adventure or road trip. Ultimately, the beanie is meant to be used on a regular basis and is designed for comfort, ease and a laid back aesthetic.
b. When to Select a Graduation Cap?
The cap for graduation is specifically intended for a professional setting, such as a graduation ceremony. It is symbolic and culturally loaded, symbolising the ending of an academic career and reaching a milestone. The graduation cap is the right headdress if you’re going to a graduation ceremony, either as an employee or as a guest.
The cap represents you and your academic accomplishments and is an integral element of the ritual. The graduation cap is also an object that you can carry around as a token of appreciation for your sacrifice. It is not ideal for everyday use, but it is a surefire way of demonstrating your academic success.
When you wear the graduation cap for alumni days, reunions or other academic occasions, you can reminisce about your time in college and rejoice in your accomplishments. In those scenarios, the cap isn’t just a fashion accessory; it is a sign of where you’ve been and how proud you are of your accomplishments.
c. Balancing Both
Although beanie and graduation cap are two completely separate entities, sometimes both are equally suitable for creative cohabitation. For instance, for a reunion or graduation party, a beanie that incorporates grady decor (a little tassel or feigned mortarboard, for example) might be both practical and festive. The utilitarian feel of the beanie and the patriotic feel of the graduation cap means you get to celebrate the event in style while showing off your collegiate accomplishments.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the situation and the degree of personal meaning you attach to each type of headgear. The beanie is about warmth, comfort, and versatility, and the graduation cap is about tradition, pride, and a major accomplishment. It doesn’t matter what the occasion is, and what your sense of style is, you can either wear them, or do it in a creative way, both for practicality and symbolism.
Dhanya Nair is a fabric Lover and a mom. She offers a unique perspective on the intricacies and history of fabric and specializes in bringing the unique narratives of textiles to life.