Typically, a Bachelors gown is simple, black and robe-like. You’ll find the traditional motorboard hat, hood, long gown and longer sleeve length in the mix. Sleeve length and design can often differ between universities, for example shorter, pointed, bell shaped or slit sleeves can also feature. A Bachelors gown’s design, trimmings and facings are generally simple with little decorative elements.
Universities often carry their own faculty colours and some even choose to have their academic robes in these colours. The star of the graduation gown is the hood. The hood is generally made up of the classic black outer fabric and inner lining, the edging is often coloured in relation to the university, faculty and degree. Truly traditional hoods might be lined with white fur or silk, but your university will dictate the style here. The quintessential motorboard or graduation cap is quite flat and common within the UK and Ireland. The flat square board and tassel are synonymous with academic dress. Remember to move the tassel from one side of your cap to the other after receiving your degree.
The Masters gown and Bachelors gown main difference lies with the sleeves, with the Masters sleeves longer and slightly more elaborate in shape. The sleeve length is longer with a closed sleeve design featuring slits along the arm which allow for more arm movement. These sleeves allow for a wonderful flow of gown fabric as the wearer moves. Similar to the Bachelors gown, the Masters gown is usually made of black fabric but often made with a heavier material weight or thickness. The gown length is similar to the Bachelors gown. The Masters hood is usually larger than a bachelor's hood and often features more colours or decoration than the Bachelors hood of the same faculty.
The highest academic achievement, the Doctoral PHD can feature more detail, intricate designs, colours and a range of fabrics. Velvet panels, silk, lace and other decorative elements can adorn the Doctoral robes for a decadent get-up. The sleeves can be long with a graceful flow and feature unique shapes and cuts or have velvet or lace aspects.
Doctoral robes will often feature more colours than Undergraduate or Masters robes and might be made with velvet or heavyweight fabrics - coloured robe facings and linings are common. The gown and hood colours depend on the university and the field of study, so they will differ between individuals graduating in different fields or Universities.
Many universities have developed their individual take on traditional academic regalia, building on traditional academic attire to express their own unique practices. Early universities took influence from the church, which is where the traditional robe began its journey through university dress. Churches were closely linked with education, universities often developed out of cathedral schools. Both priests and monks were involved in scholarly pursuits as they were highly literate. Once the humble church robe, has now evolved through many decades of university schooling. Hood colours, gown colours, gown shapes, sleeve design and headwear can all differ between countries and universities. But, what remains is the gown and robe having taken influence from medieval Europe - with many regional differences. Often, national customs and cultural factors influence the academic dress, incorporating historic clothing elements.