The academic regalia no doubt play an important role in the graduation ceremony. Like any other wardrobe worn for an event, they make the occasion even more refined to look at. The wearing of these academic pieces serves more than the given purpose of coverage but also the significance of implying academic achievements. Graduation is a special event in itself, and attending to the occasion wearing the appropriate graduation regalia, makes the event more special and superb.
The academic regalia are mainly composed of three things; these are the academic gown, hood and hat. During the event, other graduation accessories are seen incorporated to these basic items, pieces such as graduation cords and stoles. Also, various styles of the academic regalia are seen worn by professors and graduates during the event and that is because each of these academic regalia is distinct from each other, serving a particular purpose.
The bachelor’s academic regalia are different to that of the academic regalia PhD. The latter is primarily worn by graduates who had acquired a doctorate’s degree. Similar to that of the other type of academic regalia, the academic regalia PhD also consist of the three basic items.
The doctoral academic gown is exhibited by having full bell sleeves that reaches close to the ankle area. Also, the doctoral gown is known to feature velvet panels and sleeve chevrons for its gown. Usually, the colors of these velvet trims corresponds to the given degree or field of study of the wearer. This part is completely up to the institution if they designate these colors to a particular degree.
Another composition of the academic regalia PhD is the cap. Instead of the traditional mortarboards, the doctorates fashions a soft tam for its academic hat. The tams closely resemble a beret with a tassel attached to it. Although mortarboards can also be seen worn by doctorate graduates, the soft tams are generally preferred as it is closely associated to the PhD. Nonetheless, the using of either type of cap generally depends on the academic institution that’ll require of which academic cap to use.
The academic hood also completes the basic elements of the doctoral regalia. The doctoral hood exhibits the same concept as that of the standard graduation hood used by the bachelors and masters. It symbolizes the school attended as well as the earned degree and subject.
The doctoral hood has mainly four parts: The black shell, velvet trim, linings and chevrons. The black shell is essentially the main fabric of the hood. With what its name suggests, the color of the fabric comes in a standard black shade. The velvet trim is the part of the academic hood that represents the field of study which the wearer had earned. Each degree corresponds to a particular shade of color and this is demonstrated in this region of the hood. The linings denote the academic colors of the academic institution that is conferring the degree as well as the chevron that represents one of the academic colors of the university.