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Academic Attire

Identification of the hood and robe as academic apparel is believed to have originated at the English universities of Oxford and Cambridge during the 12th and 13th centuries. The hoods are a carryover from the times when monks, who operated those universities, wore them to protect their shaved heads in winter. The robe is an adaptation of the shoulder cape also worn by those same monks while collecting alms.

Use of the academic robe came to the United States in 1754, with the founding of what is now Columbia University. In 1895, a commission of university officials adopted a universal code of design and color for the academic garb. This code has undergone several revisions in subsequent years, with most recent modifications accepted in 1960.

Styling of the robes varies for the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The width of sleeve borders and length of the hood increase with each advanced degree.

In the hoods, the color of the velvet border indicates the type of degree held, while the lining designates the official colors of the institution granting it.

A distinguishing color table for academic attire