The tradition of wearing graduation gowns has a lot of history and prestige - let’s explore it in more detail:
Irish universities follow the same graduation dress code as most Western countries, which traditionally has three main elements:
The graduation robe is one of the most iconic garments in the world, but few people know the design differs depending on the highest qualification of the graduate.
Bachelor's gowns are your typical black robe without any adornments, while a Master's gown will have longer sleeves. PhD graduates usually wear a brightly coloured robe with bell-shaped sleeves and elaborate decorations, to match the significance of their accomplishment.
On their graduation day, Bachelor's and Master's graduates traditionally wear a black square hat with a flat top (also known as a mortarboard).
Mortarboards will usually have a tassel hanging off the side. The side you wear it on signifies your highest qualification - Bachelor's graduates will usually wear it on the right and move it to the left after they are called on stage, while Master's graduates will wear it on the left throughout the ceremony.
Hoods are also essential to the traditional graduation attire. When choosing the right hood for each student, we take into consideration two things:
The qualification
Bachelor's and Master's hoods will usually have slightly different designs and or sizes as a symbol of the differing life stages of each graduate. Bachelor's hoods are usually short, plain and simple, while Master's hoods will be longer and have extra decoration.
The field of study
Hoods usually come in different colours depending on the field of study y. For example, Medicine graduates will have different coloured hoods from Humanities students. By wearing matching colours to your peers, you feel a sense of community and pride in your specialised skills and knowledge.
Graduation gowns have been a part of academic regalia since medieval times when scholars and clergy wore similar garments to signify their status.
Nowadays, we keep this tradition alive as a symbol of academic prestige, as well as a marker for students' unwavering passion and dedication to their field of study. While wearing the gown, students get to feel a sense of unity and shared accomplishment. Seeing themselves wearing this prestigious garment on their graduation day marks the end of an era, but also hopeful new beginnings.
When hiring your graduation gown with Armstrong & Oxford, you can use our online form to give us your personal details including height. Our graduation gown experts will perfectly match you to a garment that fits just right.
While the graduation gown is the star of the ceremony, most students will be concerned with what to wear underneath the black robe. The proper attire to wear under the robe will depend on the institution, however, the most common attire consists of smart and business-appropriate clothing, while some institutions require full formal wear, with a dress code of black and white. It’s important to check the information you have received from your institution, as dress codes are often enforced rigorously which means you may not be allowed to attend your graduation!
Let's have a look at some of the common misunderstandings people have regarding graduation gown hire: Whether you choose to buy or rent your graduation gown depends on your needs. Most people choose to rent their graduation gown for several reasons: It is cost-effective Renting will always be more budget-friendly than buying a robe. It is a special garment with limited wearing possibilities A graduation robe is specifically designed to be worn on graduation day. Renting a robe allows you to celebrate this important occasion, take photos, and easily return it at the end without worrying about storing it safely long-term. It is more environmentally friendly to rent your robe than to purchase your robe for a single wear. The set of academic dress is rarely transferable to another graduation event as the wearer would have to be the same height and have completed the same degree, in the same institution. Generally, online bookings for graduation gown hire open approx. 2 months before the graduation, and close approx. 5 days before the ceremony date. When ordering online, you'll be asked to select your institution - if it doesn't show up in the menu, it may be that the booking deadline has passed. Our standard hire package typically includes a gown, cap, and hood (if applicable to your university). For more information, please contact our team. The cost of hiring a graduation gown with Armstrong & Oxford depends on the institution and type of robe required. As soon as you fill out our details form, we will communicate all the costs to you.What is better - buying or renting a graduation gown?
How far in advance should I book my graduation gown hire?
What is included in a graduation gown hire package?
How much does it cost to hire a graduation gown?
You can easily return your hired gowns to the specified returns location, on the day of your ceremony. You will have access to all the necessary details regarding returns once you book your graduation gown, so you can enjoy your special day without any extra stress. Armstrong & Oxford offer an extended hire facility for most robes, should you wish to keep your robes for a number of days. Armstrong & Oxford are Ireland’s premier supplier of graduation services, from academic robe hires and certificate frames to photography. We provide flawless graduation services that turn one of your biggest accomplishments into a day to remember. Get in touch to discuss your graduation day needs with us today.How do I return my graduation gown after the ceremony?