Academic dress

Academic dress is a special type of clothing worn in schools and universities. It is mostly used by people who have finished their studies at a university or similar place. Some secondary schools and old universities also use it.

You usually see academic dress at graduation ceremonies. In the past, people wore it every day at some universities, but now it is mostly just for special events. Each school has its own style of academic dress.

The outfits usually include a long gown or robe, a hood, and a cap. The cap can be a square academic cap, a rounded tam, or a bonnet. Some special groups, called learned societies, also wear academic dress for official events.

Overview and history

Academic dress is special clothing worn at universities, mainly during graduation ceremonies. It started from the universities in Oxford and Cambridge, which developed it from clothes worn by scholars in medieval Europe. These clothes helped keep scholars warm while they sat and studied.

Underneath their gowns, people usually wear formal clothes. Men might wear a dark suit with a white shirt and a tie, or clerical clothing, military or civil uniform, or national dress. Women wear similar appropriate clothes. Some older universities, like Oxford and Cambridge, have specific rules about what to wear under the gown. In many places, gowns are worn open, but in the United States, they are often closed at the front.

Materials

The materials used for academic dress depend on where the school is located or where the graduate will wear the clothes. In warm places, lighter materials are used, while heavier ones are used in cooler areas. Common materials include cotton, polyester, and silk.

Academic dress can be very inexpensive or quite costly. In the United States, students often get cheaper versions for graduation, while some doctoral graduates rent their gowns. In Britain, rented gowns are usually made of polyester, while bought gowns can be made from materials like cotton, wool, or silk. Some gowns have special decorations like cords or lace. In the past, real fur was used, but now imitation fur is more common due to cost and animal rights concerns. Doctoral robes are often made from expensive fabrics like wool or damask and are usually brightly colored to stand out.

By country

Canada

In Canada, academic clothing is worn by university staff, students, and guests during Graduation events, special ceremonies, and certain college meetings. This clothing usually includes a hat, robe, and hood. Until the 1930s, professors and students at Canadian universities wore these robes during classes and lectures. At the University of Trinity College in Toronto, students and faculty still wear gowns for dinners, meetings, debates, and special events.

Most Canadian universities follow either British or American styles of academic dress. McGill University has a mix of British and American styles in its academic clothing.

France

In France, academic clothing, called the toge, is similar to judges' robes but comes in different colors based on the field of study. It is mostly worn today by doctors during university events. The clothing includes a long gown, a piece of cloth with fur stripes called an épitoge, a wide belt or sash, and a white fabric piece called a rabat.

Germany

German academic clothing includes a gown called a "Talar" and a cap called a "Barett." Today, it is mostly worn at special events like graduations. Each university had its own colors and designs to show faculty membership and rank.

India

Indian universities used to follow the United Kingdom's style but started using traditional Indian clothing in 2013. Today, students wear Kurta and Pyajama for men and Saree or Salwar Suit for women.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, academic clothing is only worn at graduation ceremonies. It includes a gown, a cape or hood, and a pentagonal cap with a tassel. The colors of these items depend on the field of study.

Italy

Italy has many different styles of academic clothing due to its many old universities. Gowns are mostly worn by professors during ceremonies and sometimes by students at graduations. Colors on the gowns show the faculty.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, university academic gowns often include special designs and are influenced by the United Kingdom. They are usually worn only at graduation and special ceremonies.

Netherlands

At Dutch universities, only full professors wear academic clothing, called a toga. It includes a gown and a beret. This clothing is worn at special events like university anniversaries and doctoral defenses.

New Zealand

Graduates in New Zealand wear gowns similar to those at the University of Cambridge and either a hood or scarf. The hood's color shows the degree level. Academic clothing is mostly worn at graduation and special school events.

Philippines

Most colleges in the Philippines follow the traditional mortarboard, hood, and gown for graduation. Some schools use different colors for their gowns. The University of the Philippines uses a special sash called a Sablay for graduates.

Poland

Poland has its own important traditions of wearing academic clothing during educational ceremonies.

Portugal

In Portugal, students also have a special uniform called the "traje académico," which is almost all black with a cape. Some universities have unique student clothing.

South Africa

In South Africa, academic clothing follows British patterns. Graduation gowns are usually black for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and scarlet for doctorates. Wearing traditional African clothing under the academic gown has become popular.

Spain

Spain has its own style of academic clothing dating back to the 1800s. Doctors wear a long black gown with a colored mozetta and other special items. This clothing is worn for special events like the start of the academic year and PhD graduations.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, academic clothing includes gowns, hoods for postgraduates, and garlands for graduates. Different universities have different colored gowns for graduates and faculty.

Sweden and Finland

Sweden and Finland have similar traditions for academic clothing. Special caps and gowns are worn for important ceremonies. Students in technology fields wear a special cap with a tuft and cockade.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s academic clothing varies by university but usually includes a cap and gown for special events like graduations.

Thailand

Thailand has several styles of academic clothing, including traditional Thai robes. Some universities use a robe called suea khrui. Others follow American or British styles.

Tunisia

In Tunisia, University of Ez-Zitouna graduates wear academic gowns. Doctoral graduates in Islamic Sciences wear a jebba.

Turkey

Turkey’s academic clothing is similar to that of the United States.

United Kingdom and Ireland

The United Kingdom and Ireland have many different styles of academic clothing. Gowns, hoods, and caps vary by university and are used to show the wearer’s degree and field of study. The Burgon Society promotes the study of academic dress.

United States

Academic clothing in the United States is influenced by European traditions. It usually includes a mortarboard cap and gown, sometimes with a stole. The colors of the gown and hood show the field of study. Academic clothing is mostly worn at graduation ceremonies.

Pontifical universities

Academic clothing for pontifical universities changes depending on the country where the university is located. In the past, doctors from these universities were allowed to wear special headwear called a biretta during graduation and other important school events. Although the rules have changed, this tradition is still followed.

Special shops provide birettas with different colored edges and decorations based on the area of study. For example, green for Canon Law, red for Sacred Theology, blue for Philosophy, and orange for Social Sciences. The number of points on the biretta also changes: three for Licentiates and four for Doctors.

The Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum has its own style of academic clothing, including a black gown with colored edges based on the faculty. Graduates also wear special headwear and rings.