What Is Academic Regalia (Cap and Gown)?
Academic regalia, often called a cap and gown, is the traditional clothing worn at graduation ceremonies and other formal academic events. It dates back to medieval universities, and today it identifies graduates, faculty and officials and marks the occasion.
The parts
- Gown: a robe that varies in style by degree. Bachelor's gowns are usually plain with pointed sleeves. Master's gowns have long, closed sleeves with a cut-out, and doctoral gowns have full, bell-shaped sleeves with velvet panels and bars.
- Cap: a mortarboard, a flat square cap with a tassel. Some countries and universities use a soft cap or tam, especially for doctoral degrees.
- Tassel: a cord hanging from the cap, often in school or program colors, sometimes with a year charm.
- Hood: a long, draped piece worn over the gown by master's and doctoral graduates. The lining shows the awarding institution's colors, and the velvet trim indicates the field of study.
- Stoles and cords: added by some students to show honors, societies, service or cultural identity.
Colors and meaning
In the US, gown colors are often black, though some institutions use their own colors. Hood trim colors identify disciplines, such as white for arts and letters, golden yellow for science, drab for business, light blue for education and green for medicine. Different countries and universities have their own traditions and styles, such as the elaborate gowns of Oxford and Cambridge.
Getting yours
Most colleges direct graduating students to order regalia through the bookstore or an approved supplier, with deadlines before commencement. Some rent, and others sell. Costs vary, and some colleges provide assistance or loans for students who cannot afford them. Order early, check sizing and keep the cap and tassel as keepsakes if you wish.
Wearing it
Follow the ceremony's instructions on how to wear the cap and tassel. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing underneath, and be prepared for heat or cold. Decorating caps is common, though some ceremonies have restrictions.
Related terms
See commencement, convocation, matriculation and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to buy my cap and gown?
Most colleges require regalia at the ceremony and sell or rent it through the bookstore or a supplier. Prices and rules vary, so check the commencement website.
What do the colors on the hood mean?
The lining shows the institution's colors, and the velvet trim shows the field of study, such as white for arts and letters or gold for science. They are used for master's and doctoral hoods.
On which side does the tassel go?
Practices vary, though in many US ceremonies the tassel starts on the right and is moved to the left when degrees are conferred. Follow the instructions at your ceremony.