Fall 2025 Apparel Portal is Now Open!
Use the Herff Jones regalia portal to ship to home or the Hawk Shop. Ordering details and deadlines can be found below.
Ordering Deadlines and Pickup/Shipping Info
Regalia is available for purchase through the Herff Jones online portal and at the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore in the Iowa Memorial Union.
Ship to Iowa Hawk Shop
- No additional shipping charge.
- Payment is completed online at the time of order; nothing is due at pickup.
Ship to Home
- Home shipping is available for an additional fee.
- Orders typically arrive in three weeks.
- International shipping is accepted, but delivery times vary.
Shop in Person
The Iowa Hawk Shop and University Book Store will have a limited selection of regalia available in store at the beginning of each session.
Regalia Availability
All graduates must have their regalia before their commencement ceremony. Regalia will not be available for purchase or rental at the commencement ceremonies.
- Herff Jones offers online ordering with the full range of gown sizes and tassel colors.
- The Iowa Hawk Shop and University Book Store has a limited selection of regalia available in-store.
- If the needed gown size or tassel color is unavailable in-store, contact the collegiate commencement coordinator for guidance.
- When receiving your regalia order (either at home or at the Hawk Shop), please check to make sure your package contains what you ordered.
Regalia Ordering Questions?
Online Orders
- gradmidwest@gmail.com
- 952-447-4449
In-Store Purchases and Pickups
- kendrick-scott@uiowa.edu
- 319-331-3770
Required Apparel to Purchase or Rent
The University of Iowa uses branded regalia to ensure consistency and quality. Undergraduates will purchase regalia while graduate and professional student will have the option to purchase or rent.
Undergraduate Students
- Required to purchase gown, mortarboard (cap), and tassel.
- The tassel color is automatically selected based on the student’s field of study.
- Additional optional items, like the stole of gratitude, are available but not required.
Undergraduate Cap Decorating
- Caps may only feature flat decorations; dangling items, protrusions, lights, or electronic devices are not allowed.
- Caps must not display inappropriate or offensive language, negative portrayals of the university or undergraduate experience, or political messages or imagery.
Students who do not follow these guidelines may be asked to remove decorations and wear a plain cap instead.
Graduate and Professional Students
- Rental includes gown, hood, mortarboard or tam, and tassel (color based on field of study).
- Rental gowns and hoods must be returned after the ceremony; mortarboard/tam and tassel are kept.
- Custom keeper Regalia is available for purchase.
Graduate Regalia Rental Returns
- Failure to return rental items will result in charges.
- Returns for the Iowa Hawk Shop pickups must be made to the Iowa Hawk Shop.
- Returns for home-shipped items use a prepaid shipping label included with the order. A new label can be generated if lost.
Collegiate Tassel Colors
Tassel colors correspond to the college granting the degree. The correct tassel color is automatically added based on the student’s field of study in the ordering portal.
| College | Tassel Color |
|---|---|
| Carver College of Medicine | Black and Gold |
| College of Dentistry | Lilac |
| College of Education | Black and Gold |
| College of Engineering | Orange |
| College of Law | Purple |
| College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | White |
| College of Nursing | Apricot |
| College of Pharmacy | Olive Green |
| College of Public Health | Black and Gold |
| Graduate College | Black |
| Iowa MBA | Black |
| Tippie College of Business | Sapphire Blue |
| University College (Applied/Liberal Studies) | White |
Regalia Accessories
In addition to the required cap and gown some students may be eligible to wear accessories (such as cords, stoles, patches, or medallions) that recognize academic achievements or represent membership in student organizations, clubs, or cultural groups. These items are typically worn over the gown and must follow university guidelines for appropriateness and decorum.
Distinction and University Honors
Students that qualify for Distinction and/or University Honors will be contacted and provided an opportunity to add an academic regalia accessory to wear during commencement.
Cords, Stoles, and Other Keepsakes
Many student groups and academic programs recognize graduating members with commemorative items such as cords, stoles, medals, pins, or medallions.
These items may be distributed by the sponsoring organization or department or made available for purchase at the Iowa Hawk Shop. Offerings and distribution methods vary by group.
The UI Commencement Team and Degree Services do not manage or maintain a comprehensive list of these items.
Graduation Support Program
The Dean of Students Graduation Support Program provides financial assistance for graduation regalia and materials for students facing financial hardship. This support is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who need help covering ceremony costs. More information and application details are available on the Dean of Students website.