Commencement at UC Merced is more than a milestone—it is the embodiment of the Bobcat spirit. It’s the culmination of afternoons in the Beginnings Sculpture quad, late nights in Kolligian Library, moments at Lake Yosemite, and cheering with classmates on the Joseph Edward Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center. As you cross the stage in your cap and gown—beneath the sun at the UC Merced Recreation Field for Spring Commencement or under the lights of the Art Kamangar Center at The Merced Theatre for Fall Commencement—the cheers of your family and classmates surround you. In that moment, it is about more than receiving a degree; it is about embracing the blue and gold legacy that unites generations of Bobcats.

Doctoral Regalia for UC Merced
Doctoral graduates step into UC Merced’s most prestigious attire: tailored crepe blue gowns accented in gold piping, plush blue velvet front panels, and three blue velvet chevrons on each bell sleeve. The doctoral hood, lined in UC Merced’s signature colors of luminous gold satin with a bold UC blue chevron, is trimmed in velvet to denote each discipline—Ph.D. blue, JD purple, and MD green. The ensemble is completed with an eight-sided blue velvet tam, adjustable for fit, and a gold bullion tassel for an added touch of prestige. Each regalia set includes a garment bag and carrying case, supporting not just commencement but a lifetime of ceremonial use, from hoodings to future convocations and commencements.

Why CAPGOWN Over the UC Merced Bookstore?
Unlike the UC Merced Bookstore, where regalia can be costly and take weeks to be delivered, CAPGOWN fulfills doctoral regalia in just one business day at about half the UC Merced Bookstore price. Backed by thousands of verified 5-star reviews from Bobcats nationwide, our regalia are praised for craftsmanship, comfort, and durability that last well beyond the ceremony. Each regalia set adheres to the strict standards of the UC Merced commencement committee, making CAPGOWN the trusted alternative source of regalia for UCM grads. When you wear your regalia from CAPGOWN you can be sure that you will be amongst fellow Bobcats who have had a photoshoot against UC Merced’s picturesque campus and walked across the graduation stage with family and friends cheering you on.

Bobcats can also extend their milestone with diploma frames embossed with the UC Merced seal—the perfect way to showcase years of dedication. Many choose custom tote bags, alumni keepsakes, and memorabilia from Merced that carry the spirit of UC Merced after commencement into their professional careers.

Each fall and spring Bobcats ask the same questions on r/UCMerced: “Where’s the best place to get my cap and gown?” or “Is there a cheaper, faster option than the UC Merced Bookstore?” The answer is here. This page is your Commencement Central, built for UC Merced graduates and their families. At CAPGOWN, we don’t just provide regalia for UC Merced—we help you wear your Bobcat achievement, carry your blue and gold into the future, and walk out of the Recreation Field or Art Kamangar Center not only as a graduate, but as a living legacy of the University of California, Merced.

Note: Regalia is suitable for all programs within the following colleges and schools: UC Merced School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, and School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts.