Academic Dress

The gown, cap and hood that are worn by graduates as they receive their academic certificates are used to celebrate and symbolize their long awaited achievement. It is hard to imagine that these kinds of garments were worn by European scholars on a daily basis. The academic hood dates back to the first established universities. Throughout the early medieval period, students were in holy orders and very religious. The students had to wear long clothing as a reflection of their religious rank. However, as fashion evolved, the universities held on to this academic dress to be worn upon successful completion of university degrees.

An academic hood is worn as part of the entire academic regalia over the graduation gown at graduation ceremonies. Velvet fabric included in the attire symbolizes the degree earned. To represent whether an academic gown belongs to the Bachelor, Master or Doctoral hood, an academic dress has different sizes in terms of the length and width. One does not have to buy the gown, it can also be rented at an affordable right, but for people who want to have a gown to call their own, they can buy it, along with the academic hood and cap.