Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Is It Possible to Make A Priest Collar At Home?

A clerical collar is a piece of Christian clerical clothing that closes at the back of the neck and appears seamless in the front. The collar may be built into a shirt or may be added to a shirt. A priest’s collar is almost always white and is typically made of cotton or linen. More recently, you can also find them in Toronto now made of plastic.

While the Internet can provide instructions on how to make just about anything, there’s more to consider when trying to decide if making your own collar is the right thing to do. As with most DIY projects, getting the final result you’re after is never quite as easy as it seems and often doesn’t produce the quality product you want.

Prioritize Fit and Comfort for Your Clerical Collars

Priest collars, also called Roman collars, were invented in 1865 by a minister in Scotland and served to provide a sense of separation between clergy and the secular world. Their role is quite important and remains a highly recognized symbol of distinction for those working on behalf of their faith.

Not only do you want to ensure that your collar looks professional and aptly represents the work you do, but also you need it to be comfortable and to fit well. Here are some of the challenges you can face when you try to make your own priest collar at home:

  • Improper Fit: The last thing you want is to have to be constantly pulling or adjusting your clerical collar. Not only will this be distracting to those you serve, but it will also become a source of irritation for you.
  • Poorly Chosen Material: Unless you have some expertise in textiles and sewing, chances are you won’t make the right choice when it comes to selecting the best material for your needs. From choosing something that will be easy to work with, to make sure it’s not itchy or that it wears too easily, there is much more to consider than you likely realize.
  • Wear and Tear: Will the clerical collar you make be something you can count on or will you constantly have to be making more collars due to the flimsy nature of the ones you’ve made yourself?

Harcourts know how much clerical attire matters and can provide exactly what you need while still honouring your style, fit, and comfort. Our high-quality clergy vestments not only stand the test of time but are created with outstanding craftsmanship that honour the tradition and importance of the work you do. We would be pleased to help you find what you need, allowing you to focus on serving your faith, your congregation, and the people in your community.

Find Clergy Vestments and Attire at Harcourts In Toronto

Whether you use a traditional clergy term or have your priest collar called something else more modern, the fact remains that this piece of clothing holds great value. Harcourts will gladly customize clergy attire and vestments to meet your requirements. We offer a variety of design options, and can also create custom robes, stoles, and scarves that can be embroidered if needed. While assuring your comfort, you can also trust that our vestments are durable, elegant, and of superior quality. To find out more about how we can help, contact us.

Thursday, 25 June 2020

How to Care for Your Graduation Attire

Getting your diploma is a major milestone. Dressed in your graduation gown, you’ve worked hard to get to this day and it’s natural for you to not have thought a lot about what happens when the celebration is over. However, your graduation attire needs to be properly cared for both before and after your convocation ceremony, and the same goes for your graduation suit.

In the rush to get organized or in the rush to move on to the next phase of life post-graduation, don’t ignore the proper guidelines when it comes to handling graduation robes and accessories.

graduation gown Toronto

Three Tips for Caring for Your Graduation Suit and Convocation Gown

For most students, managing laundry and keeping clothes pressed and wrinkle free is likely not much of a priority. Still, as graduation approaches, it’s important to understand how to keep your graduation attire in top condition so you’re ready for your big day.

Since you’ll be seen in your graduation gown as you virtually accept your diploma, and then in your formal attire for a small celebration, you need to make sure you look professional and prepared.

Take a look at our tips for ensuring your graduation suit and convocation gown look great, both before and after your graduation day.

  1. If you’ve ordered a custom tailored Harcourts graduation robe, it will be ready to wear when you receive it. Be sure to take great care in hanging it up until the big day and to keep it covered so it’s not accidentally stained or damaged.
  1. After your ceremony, you’ll need to place your gown back in a garment bag and keep it hung up with care. If you wish to preserve your gown, have it cleaned professionally and then place it in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or in an airtight vacuum bag. It is not recommended that you try and launder the gown yourself.
  2. When it comes to your graduation suit, it will also be pressed and ready to go when you pick it up from the store.  Keep it nicely hung up and covered until you need to wear it. After your graduation day, it’s best to get the suit dry cleaned right away to avoid any stains setting. Once cleaned, return it to a garment bag and keep it hanging in your closet until you need it. Hopefully your days of job interviews are not far away, so it’s best to have your suit ready!

Find Your Toronto Convocation Attire with Harcourts

If you are interested in ordering your own custom graduation gown, contact Harcourts. With a long standing history of providing high quality gowns for graduations at every level, we can work with you to ensure you have something that fits well and makes you feel great on your big day. To find out more about graduation attire from Harcourts, please call us at (416) 977-4408.

Source: https://harcourts.com/blog/how-to-care-for-your-graduation-attire/

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Are Convocation Robes Still A Trend?

As time passes, it’s natural for things to change. In fact, since people first started wearing robes for convocation, there are very few things that haven’t changed! Convocation robes can be traced back to the 12th century, and while the reasoning for instituting robes may have altered since then, rest assured that wearing your cap and gown is still very much a trend when it comes to convocation.

Convocation Robes

Wanting your convocation attire to show your individual style is understandable, but there are plenty of other ways to showcase your personality while still ensuring your convocation robe stays true to tradition. From the shoes you wear with your outfit to adding special jewellery, you can accessorize your look to help mark this special occasion.

Why Robes Are An Important Tradition

Putting on a black robe may not seem like something to be excited about, but Toronto graduates should know that convocation dress really is an important rite of passage. Before you express disappointment at having to cover your chosen outfit, stop and think about why robes at convocation are a trend that should stay:

  • Distinguishes graduates from other people attending the ceremony.
  • Supports the centuries old tradition of graduates wearing the well-known cap and gown.
  • Robes add pomp and circumstance to the ceremony and support the celebration of the momentous achievements of new graduates.
  • Creates unity among all graduates so that everyone looks uniform as they celebrate the same achievement.

It’s safe to say that the trend of wearing robes for convocation is here to stay. In some cases, you may see traditional black robes being swapped out for dark blue, perhaps a variance in robe length or the use of colours to denote academic discipline, but for the most part, the age old tradition continues to remain intact. Truthfully, most people look forward to wearing their convocation dress and enjoy the chance to snap a few photos looking the part of a distinguished graduate.

Find the Convocation Dress You Need From Harcourts

As you prepare to be a part of a convocation ceremony, why not rely on convocation regalia experts like Harcourts to help you find the right attire? Located in Toronto, Harcourts uses materials of the highest quality to produce robes that reflect the importance of convocation tradition. Whether you choose to rent or buy, our robes are elegant and well made, ensuring you’ll look professional and accomplished as you walk across the stage. To find out more about what we offer, please contact us.

Source: https://harcourts.com/blog/are-convocation-robes-still-a-trend/

Friday, 3 January 2020

5 Tips To Turn Your Graduation Into A Celebration

You’ve booked your graduation gown rental in Toronto, turned in your last assignment, and invited your family to your graduation ceremony. With all the practical things taken care of, what else can you do to really make this milestone occasion feel like a true celebration?
There will certainly be a lot happening on the day you graduate, but you don’t want to feel stressed. You want to enjoy the day. Wearing that graduation gown is something to be proud of, and with a little preparation and the right attitude, you can ensure that you properly celebrate your accomplishment. Organizing your graduation gown rental in Toronto is a great starting point, but don’t forget to add some fun and excitement!
gown rental in Toronto

How To Properly Celebrate On Your Graduation Day

You don’t just want to survive your graduation day, you want it to be a positive day worth remembering. At Harcourts, we know that the right convocation gown rental can help the day go smoothly, but we’re also offering additional tips to help you celebrate your graduation. Keep reading for five great suggestions!
  1. Dress up.
Yes, you will be wearing your graduation gown most of the day, but choose something special for underneath. You want an outfit that is comfortable, but also something that makes you feel confident, polished and accomplished.
  1. Plan for lots of pictures.
Forget being camera shy! Make a plan to take as many pictures as you can with the people who are important to you. From family members to classmates and friends, and even your favourite professors, you are going to want to remember the moments on this special day. Make sure your phone is charged and that you’ve got enough storage space for the massive amount of photos you’ll take. Be sure to also designate someone to get a great photo of you walking across the stage and picking up your diploma or degree.
  1. Share your accomplishment.
A picture of you in your graduation gown is a great photo to share on social media. Posting your graduation day on social media expands your celebration by letting others in, especially friends or family that couldn’t be there in person. You can also follow your school’s social media accounts and the designated graduation hashtag to find photos of your classmates and fellow alumni.
  1. Pay attention to the commencement speaker and valedictorian.
You’re sitting in a large room full of graduates and maybe aren’t looking forward to listening to everyone’s name being read out. But before that part of the ceremony, there will be a commencement speaker and valedictorian speech. Remember that a lot of thought went into those speeches and chances are, if you really listen, you’ll find some relevant and encouraging words to take away with you. Quiet your mind and do your best to pay attention to the speaker’s words. Let the vibe of the day really sink in.
  1. Actually celebrate!
The day of commencement may come with some stress and a whirlwind of emotions. Yet first and foremost, it’s a day of celebration. In order to really have a chance to celebrate, plan ahead for how you’ll mark the occasion after the official ceremony. Do your parents want to throw you a party? Will your family go out to dinner? Let others make a plan to celebrate you and then actually enjoy it.

Find Convocation Gown Rental For Your Big Day

The excitement surrounding graduation is real and it’s important to celebrate and savor every moment. One of the best ways to ensure that you can have a positive experience on graduation day is to be well prepared. If you need a graduation gown rental in Toronto, Harcourts can help. Our high quality rental robes will ensure you feel your best as you walk across the stage and celebrate your accomplishment. Let us do the work for you and get your gown and accessories ready for your special day. Contact us to learn more.

Tuesday, 10 September 2019

5 Things to Know Before You Rent Robes for Convocation

Graduations are always a great cause for celebration. However, convocation ceremonies, celebrations, and gatherings require the rental of robes for convocation, or you may choose to have academic regalia Canada made. When tasked to rent a convocation gown or have one tailored for your upcoming academic event, it pays to be familiar with the details of the robe and gown rental and/or tailoring.


Harcourts has been one of the most trusted and sought-after makers of academic regalia Canada, offering their services for more than 168 years. From robes for convocation and other regalia needs of the academia to the ensembles and ceremonial garbs of the legal community, Harcourts has been known for their high quality, individually tailored garments and the attention to detail that each dedicated craftsman puts into each and every convocation gown that they make. Below are 5 things you should know before you rent a convocation robe:
  1. Convocation robes and gowns are not all the same size. Although they may all look the same cut and size as groups of people would collectively don them, robes for convocation are not a one size fits all garment. In fact, you want to get measured properly to make sure that the piece you will get is the proper fit—not too big or too small or too short or too long for your body type and size.
  2. Learn about the standard fitting range for your convocation gown. It is important to get the size right so you can stay comfortable throughout your convocation rites and the rest of your celebration.
  3. When renting robes, make sure you know the details of the company’s return policy. Most companies require your invoice upon the return of your rental as well as when collecting the pieces.
  4. Know how to properly wear your regalia. Schools typically set their own guidelines for wearing academic regalia, depending on their beliefs and traditions. It is best to know exactly what you need for the occasion and how you are expected to wear each piece of garment that you are renting.
  5. Finally, take time to accomplish proper fitting. Even though shops do have size and fitting standards or guidelines to help you select the right size, it is best to get measured and fitted to make sure that you are not too short, tall, or big, or small for the garments you are about to rent.  
If you’re in need of academic regalia Canada, contact Harcourts today to find the highest quality, hand-made academic gowns. Wearing a Harcourts gown will ensure that you look picture-perfect on your graduation day.

Article Source: http://www.loopdesk.com/article/28514/5-things-to-know-before-you-rent-robes-for-convocation

How to Buy Convocation Regalia That Fit Perfectly

Your graduation ceremony is one of the most important occasions you will ever attend. It marks an academic achievement and a major transition in your career and professional life. You want to be dressed well for the occasion, in custom-tailored convocation regalia that not only looks good but is also comfortable.  


Properly fitted graduation gowns are extremely important because most academic ceremonies last at least two hours. You have to wear your robe throughout the academic procession, invocation, speeches, etc. Wearing custom convocation regalia can ensure your comfort throughout the event. And when you are comfortable, you can enjoy the moment even better. 

Custom convocation attire is handcrafted from individually-cut fabrics and is made specifically for your size. The best suppliers of academic regalia in Canada use only the finest materials. Each gown is shirred to ensure that they maintain their elegance.

These perfectly tailored garments combine modern and traditional tailoring techniques. You may want to keep your robe forever. 


It’s difficult to get the same fit and look from an off-the-rack graduation gown, which will likely be too long, too short, too tight, or too loose. Walking in an ill-fitting academic robe will be difficult; you might even trip over the excess fabric during the procession. This is why it’s always a good idea to invest in custom convocation attire that you can proudly wear on that special day. 

Aside from your robe, you also want to make sure that your cap fits you. It shouldn’t be too tight that it gives you a headache, nor should it be too loose that it’s difficult to make it stay on your head. You want to be able to proudly march and receive your degree in comfort and elegance.

Ready to order your custom graduation attire? Harcourts is the leader when it comes to custom academic regalia in Canada. We have been supplying convocation attire since 1842. Our custom robes are proudly worn by graduates across Canada. Let our tailors customize your graduation robe to match your university colours, field of study, degree, and your measurements and garment preferences, ensuring that you look your best as you receive your diploma. Contact us today to learn more.

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

The Rich Tradition of Academic Regalia

Convocation is an exciting time for grads to celebrate their accomplishments and prepare for your entry into the professional world. Wearing a convocation gown is an important part of your graduation day, as the convocation gowns stem from an age-old tradition that marks the hard word of scholars.

Students began wearing robes in the 12th century to protect themselves from the cold while walking through their drafty universities. These heavy, hooded robes became the official dress code of scholars. Students also wore square caps to symbolise their intellect, and thus the graduation hats that students still wear today were created.

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Modern academic regalia are composed of three levels: Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. Grads wear the academic regalia that match their level of education on their graduation day, along with the instantly-recognizable graduation hat.

If you need academic regalia, including convocation robes and graduation hats, contact Harcourts in Ontario, Canada. Our robes are hand sewn from individually cut pieces to provide a perfect fit, and we exclusively use high quality materials to create our long-lasting gowns. Our robes are also hand-shirred to create a full, beautiful drape, and are custom-tailored by our skilled experts.

Harcourts in Ontario has been providing grads with academic regalia for almost two centuries and remains one of North America’s oldest robemakers. Our expert craftspeople will sew and custom-tailor your convocation robe so you look your best on your big day. Contact us today to get started.