Academic regalia is a type of formal attire worn by academics. It’s typically worn at graduations and formal events, though some colleges maintain the tradition of wearing academic gowns and caps at all times. Around the world, a variety of different styles are worn, though the fundamentals are fairly consistent.
Academic regalia evolved from two distinct sources of inspiration. The first was the Middle Eastern flowering of culture, where students traditionally wore formal robes at universities, and this custom was adopted by many European higher education traditions. Furthermore, because European universities were originally only open to members of religious orders, students were already dressed in formal robes or cloaks to reflect their religious commitments.
The type of regalia worn varies depending on where one is located and where one ranks on the academic scale. In general, it consists of a formal gown or robe, which may be designed to be worn open or closed depending on the country, as well as some form of headwear, such as a flat, hard mortarboard or a soft tam, with a tassel. Holders of degrees are also allowed to wear hoods of various lengths, as well as scarves, cords, and stoles to represent various academic honors.
Bachelor’s degree holders typically wear the most plain clothing, whereas doctoral robes are more ornately decorated. While traditional academic regalia is black, some people wear robes in their school colors, particularly if they have doctoral degrees, and the hoods are color coded to reflect the wearer’s school and major. This clothing is available in the form of formal “dress” regalia and “undress” black regalia for everyday occasions at some colleges.
Many people prefer to rent their robes but buy their hoods because these outfits can be extremely expensive and are rarely worn. Hoods are purchased for their unique color-coding requirements, allowing wearers to rent gowns for future formal occasions while ensuring that they have the proper hood. The hood’s length is determined by the degree held, with bachelor’s hoods being the shortest and doctoral hoods being the longest.
Academic regalia is made from a variety of materials, ranging from cotton to velvet, and people typically have a variety of options when purchasing or renting it. People who buy their clothes prefer higher-quality fabrics, which ensure that they will last for many years.