The traditional attire for graduation ceremonies and other academic events usually consists of a graduation gown, headwear, and a hood. Each piece of the garment serves as a visual representation of the wearer’s academic journey, using different designs and colours to symbolise their highest qualifications, their field of study, as well as the institution they are affiliated with.
Still, graduation attire may be different depending on whether you are a student or faculty member - check some of the main differences below:
Doctoral robes are easily recognisable as they have the most elaborate designs. You can easily tell them apart by the bell-shaped sleeves and the bright colours of the fabric.
Traditionally, faculty members will wear the attire that matches their highest qualification and the institution they're received it from, rather than the institution they currently work with. This is done so that they can showcase an important part of their academic journey, and feel the same sense of pride and accomplishment that students do.
Normally, Bachelor's and Master's graduates will wear the iconic square black hat (also called a mortarboard).
For faculty members and PhD holders, it is much more common to wear a tam or a bonnet - a soft velvet beret also decorated with a tassel.
Essential to the graduation attire, graduation hoods are quite detailed and are a visual representation of one's academic accomplishments.
The hoods worn by Bachelor's graduates are usually short, and will have little to no decoration on them. You can tell them apart from Master's hoods since those tend to be longer, and they are usually adorned with a trim representing their field of study.
Doctoral hoods are most common among faculty members and PhD students, and they are as elaborate as they are prestigious. This distinguished accessory will have a wide trim, often of a coloured silk to represent the wearer's academic discipline and institution.
The outfits worn by faculty and students are not only differentiated by how they look - they also serve different purposes.
Graduation clothing holds a lot of meaning for recent graduates - it fosters a sense of: Accomplishment The ceremony itself marks the ending of a chapter in one's academic life and perhaps the beginning of another. It is a special occasion filled with an immense sense of pride and accomplishment, and the graduation outfit is meant to represent that. When putting on the robe, the hood, and the cap, students get to see their past efforts come into fruition. Tradition The Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD robes worn by Irish students and most other countries carries a rich history that spans many centuries. By wearing it, students pay their respects to these academic rituals and elevate this otherwise simple event to a huge celebration of all higher education institutions and their impact on people’s lives. Community On graduation day, all students get to wear the same attire, fostering a sense of unity and shared accomplishment. All robes are gender-neutral and can be worn by anybody, showcasing the inclusive nature of higher education.
We've seen how this seemingly simple garment can have a major impact on students during the most important milestone of their academic life. Still, graduation ceremonies are not only about the students - faculty members can also choose to wear academic regalia to celebrate things like: Past achievements Just like students' gowns, academic gowns for faculty members are designed to represent the highest qualification they hold, their field of study, teaching, or research, as well as the institution they've received this qualification from. It is simply meant to be a celebratory garment, showcasing their outstanding journey through academic life. Prestige By wearing academic regalia, faculty members foster a formal, prestigious atmosphere during graduation ceremonies. They also show their respects towards the institution they are currently working with, and maintain centuries-long traditions in honour of their students. Mentorship Seeing their mentors wearing similar attire can also help students feel more accomplished. By watching their role models follow the same traditions, students can feel a sense of pride knowing that they are following in their footsteps.
Here at Armstrong & Oxford we offer gown hire for faculty members that want to follow tradition and add to the prestige of their next graduation ceremony. Visit our website or contact us for more information on finding the perfect graduation attire today.
