The meaning of ‘graduation’ comes from the English term ‘to graduate’. During the graduation ceremony, it is customary to wear an official attire known as a graduate’s dress or, more commonly, a university gown.
The style, colours and different tailor-made options vary according to the university degree and the position held in the institution, depending on whether you are a student, a professor or the president of the university.
Where does the tradition of wearing formal wear to graduation come from?
The tradition of students wearing an academic gown at the end of their university course, and more specifically at the graduation ceremony, dates back to the Middle Ages. A period in history when universities, although they did exist, were the prerogative of the clergy, who had the power of administration and management. Students and professors, all monks at the time, wore the first university gowns, a hooded model far removed from those we see today.
Little by little, this tradition faded, except in the United States, where the country’s universities have retained the obligation to wear the university gown for graduation ceremonies. Today, however, the tradition is making a comeback in France, particularly in magistrates’ schools and business schools, but also in all other sectors: design, osteopathy, engineering, optics, sustainable development, etc., as well as in companies.
What does a graduate's regalia consist of ?
As well as wearing a ceremonial gown, this solemn attire must be complemented by other accessories that are just as important for respecting protocol. These include the university gown and its tassel.
Like the long university gown, the cap has a strong symbolic value. It marks the end of student life, the culmination of several years of study and the success of the student. The shape, colours, embroidery and specific tassel associations make the university cap a sign of belonging to a professional body and often a sign of the university’s reputation, as well as a sign of recognition between its members.
The university cap is made up of a high, often rigid part, which may be square or have several sides depending on whether we have a doctorate, a flexible part allowing it to be fixed to the top of the skull and the tassel.
The latter has a strong significance, as it symbolises the student’s receipt of the diploma. When the student appears before the faculty to receive his or her diploma, the tassel is worn to the right of the cap. When the diploma is in the student’s hands, it is worn on the left.
Lastly, some traditional gowns, depending on the professional federation or university, may also have different components such as an epitoge, a belt and a cotton flap or lace frill.
University gowns and dresses are made by specialist companies such as HEMREX, which can create customised, personalised graduation regalia.