For men, this could be pressed slacks or dress pants and a collared shirt or tie. For women, this could be a formal dress and heels, or pressed slacks, a blouse, and dress flats.
Bachelor’s degree: The gown style for Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees are of the same design. The gown has open, pointed sleeves and is designed to be worn closed. The gown will fall no lower than your mid-calf. [2] X Research source Bachelor’s gowns are generally black and Associate’s gowns can be black or in a color lighter than black. Master’s degree: The style of Master’s degree gowns feature oblong sleeves, open at the wrist. The oblong shape is square cut in the black and the front section has an arc cut. [3] X Research source Though you may be more comfortable wearing your gown closed, academic protocol allows the gown to be worn open or closed. Doctoral degree: These gowns have three velvet bars on each sleeve and one vertical panel down each side of the gown on each side of the gown opening. The velvet panels and bars are generally black, but may be in the color representing your degree. The gown has bell-shaped sleeves and can be worn open or closed. [4] X Research source Gown modifications: Many colleges and universities have adopted modifications to the traditional design to make them specific to the institution. Modifications may include a gown color other than black, colored piping around the velvet panels, special trim, and embroidered patches with the degree color on the gown. For example, Boston University uses a red gown with a black trim, and Harvard University uses a black gown with embroidered patches in the degree color placed at the chest level.
Master’s and Doctoral degree gowns may have a slit on either side, instead of a full sleeve. If so, slide your arms through the slits.
The robe may slip during the ceremony or as you are on the stage preparing to accept your degree. Be sure to check that it is sitting straight on your shoulders. If it is lopsided or slipping, lift the gown and pull it forward so it is sitting properly before you walk out on stage.
The Bachelor’s hood is about three feet long, has a black fabric shell, and a satin lining. Most Bachelor’s hoods are “Oxford Burgon cut”, which are lined on the inside with satin fabric in the color associated with your discipline or university. The Master’s hood is three and a half feet long, has a black fabric shell, and a satin lining. The Doctoral hood is four feet long, has a black fabric shell, and a satin lining. The Master’s hood and the Doctoral hood are usually designed to lie flat against your back, making it easier to stay in position when worn. Most Master’s and Doctoral hoods will have a black shell, with velvet trim that extends around your neck, over your shoulders, and down your back.
The chosen color for your discipline will be featured on the edge of your hood. In the case of a Master’s or Doctoral hood, the colored satin will be on the back portion of the hood, by the velvet stripe.
The tip of the hood will drape down your back. The “V” section of the hood will sit on your chest. The opening of the hood will rest on your shoulders. Note that some universities hood their Master’s and Doctor’s graduates on stage. If you are a Master’s or Doctoral graduate, you may not have a hood until the graduation ceremony.
If the hood starts to slip or turn inward, use safety pins to keep it in place against your robe.
Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates will wear a style called a trencher or mortarboard. The trencher will be made of solid black felt, with a flat square top and a black silk tassel. The square top will sit on an oval cap that has a small point in the front and a large point in the back. Doctoral graduates will wear a bonnet style cap. The bonnet will be made of black velvet, with a tassel and a cord in the color of your discipline or institution.
