Academic Dress

  • When to wear
  • Subfusc, Undress and blackness gowns
  • Hoods and Caps
  • Convocation addiction
  • Full Academic Wearing apparel
  • Senior University Officers
  • FAQs

The form of academic robes worn at Oxford can be traced back to the coats and ecclesiastical robes of medieval Europe, when dress marked the rank and profession of the wearer. In fact, the bookish dress worn today is very much the same as that worn in medieval times. The older forms incorporate colours that were readily available in the past likewise equally those harder to acquire, similar crimson and blue, which were consequently significant markers of condition. Thus, strong primary colours are common alongside black, white and purple. Bookish dress is a physical representation of the University'due south construction and a reward, and its colour and flamboyance are markers of the significance of the occasions on which it is worn.

When to wear academic dress

When to wear academic dress Total academic dress for Master of Philosophy and Bachelor of Philosophy (left), and Md of Civil Law and Master of Surgery (right). (Credit: Rob Judges)

Academy members wear bookish dress at Academy ceremonies, examinations and some official meetings. Each degree has a blackness gown and hood proper to it. Doctors (those with Oxford DPhils or the college doctorates of DD, DCL, DM, DLitt, DSc and DMus) also have a ruddy robe worn without a hood at the highest ceremonial occasions; the doctoral black gowns are therefore sometimes chosen 'undress' gowns. There are thus several gradations of academic dress depending on the occasion (the tabular array at the stop indicates when each gradation is worn):

  • blackness gown simply
  • black gown and hood over everyday (smart) dress
  • black gown, cap and hood oversubfusc (run across below) – i.eastward. "full academic dress" for bachelors and masters
  • scarlet robe and cap worn oversubfusc – i.e. "full academic dress" for doctors.
  • for Doctors on a small number of occasions (like the admission of the Vice Chancellor or Proctors and Assessor), Convocation habit – a scarlet sleeveless gown called a chemir worn over the black undress gown and hood,subfusc and white bands with cap.

Use this table to see what to wearable to Oxford ceremonial events.

An invitation that uses any of the following wording indicates the need to wear bookish clothes:

  • Gowns will be worn – black gown only
  • Doctors may wear their scarlet robes – Total academic dress

Subfusc

White bands White bands worn at Encaenia and other days. (Credit: John Cairns)

A night suit with nighttime socks, or a dark skirt with black tights or trousers with dark socks and an optional dark coat; black shoes; evidently white collared shirt; a black necktie or white bow tie.

Higher doctors, the Proctors (and Pro-Proctors when deputising) the Assessor and sure other Academy officials habiliment white bands at Encaenia and certain other days (encounter Guidance Table); all doctors wear bands with Convocation addiction.

Members of the armed forces may article of clothing service dress under their gowns.

Ministers of faith may clothing clerical clothes under their gowns.

Further information on subfusc.

Undress/blackness gowns

Moira Wallace Black gown. (Credit: John Cairns)

Proctors (undress)
The Master of Arts gown with a button and tippet sewn onto the bottom left of the yoke, during and after holding office.

Pro-Proctors (undress)
The black gown of their degree.

Assessor (undress)
The Master of Arts gown with a button and tassel sewn onto the bottom right of the yoke , during and later holding office.

Medico of Divinity
Total-style gown of blackness silk, reaching below the dogie of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke backside and airtight sleeves with a crescent-shaped cut at the bottom and an opening at the elbow.

Doctor of Music/Physician of Civil Police/Doctor of Medicine/Chief of Surgery/Doctor of Letters/Doctor of Science/Md of Philosophy
Black gown of silk or art silk, reaching beneath the calf of the wearer, with a form of black lace sewn on the collar, the lower office of the dorsum and sides of the gown, underneath the arms, down the sides of the sleeves in a higher place the elbow and at the ends of the sleeves, which are airtight and cut directly, but have an opening only higher up the elbow.

Physician of Clinical Psychology/Doctor of Engineering/Master of Letters/Master of Science/Master of Philosophy/Available of Philosophy/Bachelor of Music/Available of Medicine and of Surgery/Bachelor of Civil Law/Magister Juris
Black gown of silk or art silk, reaching below the dogie of the wearer, with a form of black lace sewn on the collar, the lower office of the back and sides of the gown, down the sides of the sleeves above the elbow, and at the cease of the sleeves, which are closed and cut direct only have an opening only higher up the elbow.

Main of Studies/Master of Theology/Primary of Business Assistants/Primary of Fine Arts
Black gown of silk or art silk, reaching below the dogie of the wearer, with a form of blackness lace sewn on the collar, the lower part of the back and sides of the gown, down the sides of the sleeves above the elbow, and at the end of the sleeves, which are closed and cutting straight, but have an opening just higher up the elbow.

Available of Divinity
Full-style gown of black silk or fine art silk or Russell cord, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a total gathered yoke behind and airtight sleeves with a crescent-shaped cutting at the bottom and an opening at the elbow.

Master of Arts
Full-mode gown of black Russell string or synthetic textile, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a total gathered yoke behind and closed sleeves with a crescent-shaped cut at the bottom and an opening at the elbow.

Bachelor of: Arts, Fine Fine art, Theology/Main of: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer science, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Physics and Philosophy
Full-style gown fabricated from black Russell string or constructed cloth, with a full gathered yoke behind and long open-fronted sleeves.

Student Gowns

Student gowns Pupil gowns: Commoners (left), Scholars (heart), Graduates (right). (Credit: John Cairns)

Commoners – Black gown of cotton or constructed material with a turned over collar. It has no sleeves simply has a streamer on each side with square pleating hanging to the full length of the gown, which falls to the hip.

Scholars – Black gown of Russell cord or constructed material in full mode with a gathered stiffened yoke backside and short open up sleeves. The gown should achieve the wearer's knees.

Graduates (non already a graduate of Oxford) – Black gown of cotton or synthetic fabric of the aforementioned style as the Commoners' gown, but reaches to the knees of the wearer.

Hoods

Hoods Hood worn by Bachelor of Theology (left), and Bachelor of Fine Fine art (right). (Credit: Rob Judges)

Proctors
Dean Burgon shape, black silk lined with white ermine, turned out.

Pro-Proctors
As Proctors, only when deputising for the Proctors. Otherwise the hood of their caste.

Assessor
Dean Burgon shape, white corded silk lined with white silk.

Physician of Divinity
Full shape, cherry cloth lined with black silk.

Doctor of Civil Law/Doctor of Medicine
Full shape, cerise cloth lined with crimson shot silk.

Physician of Letters/Doctor of Science
Full shape, scarlet material lined with grey silk.

Doctor of Philosophy
Full shape, scarlet cloth lined with nighttime blue silk.

Master of Surgery
Dean Burgon shape, blackness silk lined and edged with blue silk.

Dr. of Clinical Psychology
Dean Burgon shape, nighttime imperial blue ribbed silk, edged and lined scarlet.

Doctor of Engineering
Dean Burgon shape, red ribbed silk, edged grey and lined petrol blue.

Principal of Letters / Primary of Science
Dean Burgon shape, blue ribbed silk edged and lined with grey silk.

Master of Philosophy /Bachelor of Philosophy
Dean Burgon or Oxford shape, bluish ribbed silk, edged and lined with white silk.

Bachelor of Music
Dean Burgon or Oxford shape, lilac ribbed silk trimmed with white fur textile.

Available of Medicine and of Surgery/ Bachelor of Civil Law/Magister Juris
Dean Burgon shape, blue corded silk or poplin with white fur fabric.

Master of Studies
Dean Burgon shape, deep greenish ribbed silk, edged and lined with white silk.

Bachelor of Divinity
Doctors' shape, black corded silk lined with a fine black ribbed silk.

Master of Arts
Dean Burgon or Oxford Shape, black corded silk, edged and lined with cherry-red or shot reddish silk.

Available of Arts/Principal of; Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Applied science, Mathematics and Computer science, Physics, Figurer Scientific discipline, Mathematics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Physics and Philosophy
Dean Burgon or Oxford Shape, black corded silk, lined and trimmed with white fur material.

Master of Theology
Dean Burgon shape, blackness corded silk, edged and lined with magenta silk.

Master of Business Assistants
Dean Burgon shape, claret corded silk, edged and lined with dark grey silk.

Master of Fine Arts
Dean Burgon shape, gold corded silk, edged and lined with white silk.

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Dean Burgon shape, black silk with a narrow ring of aureate silk inside.

Available of Theology
Dean Burgon shape, black silk with a narrow band of magenta silk inside.

Caps

When Caps are called for either hard caps (mortar boards) or soft caps may be worn.

NB. The Chancellor (or, when absent-minded, the Vice-Chancellor) and the Proctors may retain their caps during a coming together of Congregation; all others should find the convention of removing hard caps (soft caps may be retained).

Caps The installation of Professor Louise Richardson as Vice-Chancellor. (Credit: John Cairns)

Convocation addiction

Convocation habit Convocation addiction worn over undress gown and hood. (Credit: Rob Judges)

Doctors only
A sleeveless gown (called a chemir) is worn over the undress gown and hood, with subfusc, cap and bands, as follows:

Doctor of Divinity
Sleeveless cloak of scarlet material, function lined with blackness silk and attached with two blackness silk-covered buttons in front. The back is gathered in a yoke.

Doc of Civil Law/Md of Medicine
Sleeveless cloak of ruddy fabric, part lined with carmine shot silk fastened with ii crimson silk-covered buttons in front end. The back is gathered in a yoke.

Doctor of Letters/Doctor of Science
Sleeveless cloak of cherry-red cloth, function lined with greyness silk fastened with 2 grey silk-covered buttons in front. The dorsum is gathered in a yoke.

Doctor of Philosophy
Sleeveless cloak of scarlet cloth, function lined with dark blue silk fastened with 2 dark blue silk-covered buttons in front. The back is gathered in a yoke.

Full Academic Apparel

Worn oversubfusc without hoods (with the exception of the Proctors, Pro-Proctors and Assessor)

Full academic dress Full bookish apparel for Doctor of Divinity (left), and Physician of Music (right). (Credit: Chris Andrews)

Proctors
Full robe of black Russell cord, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, a button and tippet sewn onto the bottom left of the yoke, and bell-shaped sleeves. The facings and sleeves are of midnight blue velvet.

Pro-Proctors
Full-style gown of black Russell cord, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, a push button and tippet sewn onto the bottom left of the yoke, and closed sleeves with a crescent-shaped cutting at the bottom and an opening at the elbow. The facings are of black velvet.

Assessor
Total robe of black Russell cord, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a total gathered yoke behind, a button and tassel sewn onto the bottom right of the yoke, and bell-shaped sleeves. The facings and sleeves are of regal velvet.

Md of Divinity
Total robe of scarlet cloth, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, and bell-shaped sleeves; the facings and sleeves are of black velvet. This is worn with a scarf, cassock, cincture, bands and a square cap.

Doctor of Civil Law/Physician of Medicine
Total robe of scarlet cloth, reaching beneath the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, and bell-shaped sleeves; the facings and sleeves are of ruby-red shot silk. This is worn with a velvet bonnet.

Doctor of Messages/Md of Science
Total robe of cherry-red cloth, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, and bell-shaped sleeves; the facings and sleeves are of grey silk. This is worn with a square cap (mortar lath) or soft cap.

Physician of Music
Total robe of cream-coloured silk with apple blossom blueprint, reaching beneath the calf of the wearer, with a full gathered yoke behind, and bell-shaped sleeves. The facings and sleeves are of cherry crimson silk. This is worn with a velvet bonnet.

Doctor of Philosophy
Full robe of cerise cloth, reaching below the calf of the wearer, with a total gathered yoke backside, and bell-shaped sleeves; the facings and sleeves are of dark blueish silk. This is worn with a foursquare cap (mortar board) or soft cap.

All other degrees

Black gown, hood, and square cap or soft cap.

Senior University Officers

Chancellor

The Chancellor wears an elaborate and distinctive gown on all formal occasions. It is made from heavy blackness brocaded silk with gold lace trimmings on collar, facings, dorsum and sleeves and on the long train. The mortar lath is made from black velvet and a gold tassel. On less formal occasions, such equally garden parties and dinners, the Chancellor will wear the full clothes gown of a Md.

Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor wears this elaborate robe on all formal occasions. The robe is made of heavy black corded cloth with blackness lace work on sleeves and gold lace work on the bottom of the sleeve streamers depicting all the different Oxford college coats of artillery and the Academy coat of artillery.

On the back of the gown is a flap collar with a large University glaze of arms embroided on information technology in gold lace. On less formal occasions the Vice-Chancellor volition vesture the robe or gown pertaining to his or her degree.

VC and Chancellor Vice-Chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson (left) (Credit: Oxford Image Library/John Cairns); Chancellor, Lord Patten of Barnes, and Page. (right) (Credit: Rob Judges).

The Proctors and Assessor

The Proctors and Assessor are elected each year by three of the colleges in plough. They are members of many boards and committees in the University.

proctors and assessor The Proctors and Assessor. (Credit: Rob Judges)

The Proctors bargain with matters of educatee discipline and complaints whilst the Assessor is concerned with student health and welfare. The Proctors wear a total blackness gown with deep royal-blue velvet sleeves and facings together with a white ermine hood backed with blackness. A foursquare cap is worn at all times; women do non wear the soft cap in this duty. The Assessor wears a full black gown with dark purple velvet sleeves and facings, together with a hood of Dean Burgon or Oxford shape made from white corded silk.

The Marshal

The University Marshal is responsible for marshalling processions of the University. He wears a distinctive black gown with a shoulder cape and a silver badge on the left sleeve, and a round black bonnet, and he carries an ebony silverish-mounted baton.

The Bedels

The Bedels nourish the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor on formal occasions. They article of clothing a plain blackness gown with a round blackness bonnet, and deport staves every bit symbols. They play an important office in the running of caste ceremonies.

The University Verger

The Verger wears a long black gown with a round blackness bonnet. He carries a small wand of silverish gilt when in processions and helps in the preparations for University services and ceremonies.

Verger followed by Bedels Academy Verger followed past Bedels. (Credit: John Cairns)

Marshal followed by Bedels Academy Align followed by Bedels. (Credit: John Cairns)

Frequently asked questions

What do I vesture to a meeting of Congregation?

Most members of Congregation elect to wear black gowns merely they are optional.

What does 'total academic dress' mean?

Full academic clothes means subfusc is worn with a gown and hood. To article of clothing total academic dress your Oxford caste must accept been conferred.

What does subfusc mean?

Subfusc is a dark adjust with dark socks, or a dark skirt with black tights or trousers with dark socks and an optional dark glaze (jacket); blackness shoes; plain white collared shirt; a black ribbon or white bow tie.

What should I wear to a big public lecture, i.east. Romanes, Cyril Foster?

Traditionally current members of the Academy wear black gown but this is optional. No subfusc. Any other guests should habiliment concern attire.

What should I habiliment under my gown at Encaenia?

Members of Congregation should wear subfusc nether their gowns. For guests who have had an Oxford degree conferred but aren't members of Congregation, subfusc is optional.

I have a degree from some other university. What should I habiliment to Encaenia?

Gowns from other universities are not permitted at the Encaenia anniversary, unless you lot have a caste from Cambridge or Trinity College Dublin, in which case you may wear the gown advisable to your caste or business attire.

Gowns from other universities are permitted at the Encaenia Garden Political party.

I am attention Encaenia as a guest of a fellow member of Congregation. What should I wear?

Business attire should exist worn. Or if an Oxford, Cambridge or Trinity College Dublin degree has been conferred, gown and hood may be worn. However subfusc is not necessary.

Can I wearable any gown to the Encaenia Garden Party?

Yes, this is the but Oxford Academy issue where gowns from other universities can be worn. In fact, it is encouraged.