From school to college, graduation ceremonies have significant importance in students’ lives. A big part of this tradition is graduation regalia, which includes gowns, caps, and hoods. These regalia help every graduate stand out and feel proud when they receive their diploma. Generally, schools and colleges provide graduation attire to graduates. However, there are other things you must take into account, like how to wear a graduation cap and how to choose the right regalia for your special day. To help you, in this blog guide we discussed graduation regalia, their meaning, and different types.
In recent years, the importance of graduation regalia has become more meaningful with new traditions and trends. Graduation gowns feature clear lines and the cap is often known as a mortarboard—a must paired with tassels. Stoles and cords enhance the overall look of the graduation look and allow graduates to look more professional.
What Is a Regalia For Graduation?
Graduation regalia are graduation accessories worn at the graduation ceremony by students. They are a part of a tradition and symbolize academic achievements and tradition. These are graduation caps, gowns, and graduation stoles. This regalia can vary by degree and institution. The robe and cap are traditional items, and a tassel is attached to the cap to signify graduation. College graduates wear simple gowns and caps, whereas master’s and doctoral graduates often wear doctoral hats and fancy hoods. These different regalia make the graduation ceremony special and memorable for graduates.
Historical Background of Academic Regalia
The term “regalia” originated in the monasteries of the Middle Ages, when the first university formed in the 12th and 13th centuries. At that time most of the scholars were associated with the church, so they wore long robes and hoods. Over time, academic regalia became a tradition and symbol of education and learning. Hoods served to cover the head and now have become the key feature of academic dress.
Types of The Graduation Gown & Caps
There are different types of graduation gowns & caps for every milestone—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Understand them in detail:
Graduation Gowns
The graduation gown is traditionally worn during graduation ceremonies and is a main element of the graduation tradition. They are also known as graduation regalia or academic dress. Graduation gowns are designed according to the field of study and match other accessories, like graduation caps and diploma folders. They have different types, such as bachelor’s gowns, master’s gowns, and doctoral gowns.
Features and Design Elements of Graduation Gowns
Graduation gowns come with unique features and designs that represent academic achievement and tradition. They are made of polyester and matte fabric for comfort and durability. Most of the gowns come in black, but doctoral regalia are made in red or blue to represent academic discipline. Regarding design, bachelor’s attire is closed, master’s gowns can be either open or closed, and doctoral gowns feature a zipper.
The Significance of Graduation Caps
The graduation cap is among the main features of the graduation traditions. The graduation caps create a sense of unity among students and a positive vibe. It represents their graduation and readiness for the next phase of their academic or professional journey. Many institutes and graduates personalize their caps with their names, school logos, and diploma information to reflect their personalities and achievements.
Understanding Graduation Hoods
As you just read, graduation hoods were common in traditional scholarly attire. In terms of graduation attire, the hood is most commonly worn by graduate students pursuing their master’s or doctorate degrees. A hood is not traditionally worn by bachelor’s degree graduates. The graduation hood is worn in the back of the gown and may vary in size and color depending on the degree you are pursuing and the college from which you will graduate.
How To Choose The Right Graduation Regalia For Your Ceremony?
To choose the graduation regalia, you must understand different types of graduation regalia and their meaning.
The style and details depend on the graduation, such as:
- A Bachelor’s gown should be simple in design and feature an open front. Master’s gowns are longer and have closed sleeves. If you are looking for a doctoral gown, it has sleeve bars and comes in red or blue.
- Understand the color codes to match your graduation theme and other graduation accessories, like the leatherette diploma cover. Choose the color directed by your school and graduation type.
- You don’t want to be uneasy on your special day. Choose a dress that is both tall and flexible, allowing you to move around freely. Breathable fabric is also necessary. Many experienced academic event management companies recommend that the gown materials be comfortable, especially if the weather is hot and the event is going to last for a while.
- It is also important to buy this graduation regalia from a trusted supplier like Diplomacovers. They have different types of gowns, caps, oxford graduation regalia and graduation stoles. Before choosing suppliers, verify their product quality, return, and replacement service.
Conclusion
To choose the right cap and gown for your graduation, first become familiar with the various styles and components that contribute to the meaning of each attire. A Bachelor’s degree gown is simple with a pointed sleeve, a Master’s degree gown is longer with closed sleeves, and a Doctoral degree gown is traditionally more ornate with velvet trimmings. Determine the graduation type you will be graduating with, and then find your institution’s colors and specific graduation attire guidelines, which may be relevant to your field of study. Prior to your ceremony, consider the type of fabric and size, particularly if it will be long or held in warm weather.
Planning ahead of time and knowing the details of the regalia sewn into your attire can ensure that you look your best while also embracing the concept of tradition as part of your special graduation day.
FAQs
What is the history of academic regalia?
Regalia originated in the monasteries of the Middle Ages. At that time, university faculty were men of religion who wore the habit of their Order when teaching. Over time, their garments were used to identify their university. In Europe, laymen did not commonly teach in universities until the 19th century.
What is another name for graduation regalia?
Graduation regalia is often referred to as the “cap and gown” but involves several distinct components. Required attire for commencement depends on the type of degree you have earned.
What do the graduation cap and gown symbolize?
One way to commemorate this milestone is by wearing graduation regalia during the ceremony. The cap and gown are not just traditional attire, but they are also a symbol of pride, achievement, and success.
Why is it called regalia?
The word “regalia” is derived from the Latin “Rex,” meaning “worthy of a king.” The most important function of the regalia was associated with coronations, the formal investiture of the sovereign to his status as king.
