The pieces, defined
- Honor cords: braided cords worn around the neck and draped down the front, usually signifying academic honors, GPA thresholds, or membership in an honor society.
- Stoles (or sashes): wider satin bands worn over both shoulders, often representing a department, cultural organization, ROTC, or a specific honor.
- Medallions and medals: struck medals on a ribbon that recognize a specific award or distinction.
How color and eligibility work
There's no single national standard โ most cord and stole colors are assigned by the individual school, honor society, or organization awarding them. Gold cords commonly indicate top academic honors; specific societies (for example, discipline-based honor societies) have their own signature colors. Because assignments vary, always confirm eligibility and the correct color with the awarding body before ordering. Wearing an honor you didn't earn is a genuine breach of etiquette.
Latin honors vs. society honors
Two different systems often appear together. Latin honors โ cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude โ recognize your overall GPA and are conferred by the institution. Honor societies recognize membership based on their own criteria. A graduate can wear regalia for both: a Latin-honors cord and a society stole, for instance. Your school's commencement office publishes the rules for what's permitted.
Honor Cord Set
$12.99Braided honor cords in single or dual color โ confirm your society's or school's color, then order to match.
Graduation Stole
$29.99A satin stole for departmental, cultural or honors recognition, with custom embroidery available.
Honor Medallion
$21.99A weighted medallion engraved with your class year โ a keepsake that outlasts the ceremony.
How to layer them
- Put the stole on first, centered over both shoulders, hanging evenly down the front.
- Add cords over the stole so they're visible against it.
- A medal or medallion goes on top, centered, so it sits highest in photos.
- Keep it balanced โ if you have several honors, prioritize the most significant so the look stays clean rather than cluttered.
Keeping them after graduation
Cords, stoles and medals are yours to keep. They frame beautifully alongside a diploma, and many graduates display them in a shadow box. Store satin stoles flat or rolled to avoid creases, and keep cords from tangling by looping them loosely.