Basic Things to Know about Graduation Robes
In the academic setting, it is customary to find graduation cap and gown apparel as well as other academic dresses. These are traditional forms of clothing that are found primarily in colleges and universities. There are other lower forms of schools like secondary schools that make use of these apparels too. These dresses are not worn just by anybody but they are made use of by people who have been admitted to degree programs in universities or those who hold posts that allow them to assume such. The entire regalia are also being referred to as academicals in some places.
Rather than have these dresses worn on just any day, they are now worn in modern times during graduation ceremonies. Although there are some ancient universities that still make use of these gowns on daily basis but there is the general knowledge and acceptance of the fact that they are meant for special occasions. In contemporary times, these graduation robes are distinctive in their designs and patterns which make them original to each academic institution. Whatever differences that are noticed, all these gowns still follow the same basic pattern with the gown that is also known as robe and a cap that is also known as a mortarboard or bonnet. There are some institutions and learned societies that make use of these gowns as their official uniform or dress.
Over the years different types of graduation gowns have been made but today, reality has made the majority of people stick to a common one. The types you would see often on people are those types that are used for the award of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. Wherever you go in the English speaking cultures, these types are the same. In high schools, the school colors are what are used to make these gowns and for universities, it is traditional to make use of black color. Little differences you may observe in these gowns include the bell shaped sleeves you may see in some and the closed at the end sleeves you would see in others. Another feature used in differentiating these gowns is the yokes. There are two types of yokes used as accessories in graduation gowns. In most places, it most traditional to use the curved yoke while for a modern look, a straight or square yoke is preferred.
The best time to see different types of graduation gowns are graduation days where graduating students awarded degrees in single honors master degrees come out in full regalia. Students awarded doctorate degrees are not left out too and they are prominent in their doctoral regalia. On such occasions, you might see another type of graduation gown and cap known as the lay type gown which is similar to other types of gowns known already with its long and closed sleeves but in which a yoke is absent. In place of a yoke, a flap collar gathers underneath the graduation cap and gown.
Comments Off