For Promotional Products / SWAG Click Here!!
Graduation Attire History and Meaning

Have you ever stopped to take a long look at the typical graduation outfit and noticed how little it looks like the usual casual wear and even formal attire of not just today but for what appears to be centuries? The cap and gown tradition may seem like an attempt to give history a nod and make a statement about the significance of the event, and that’s because it does that. At Tassel Depot, we specialize in all forms of graduation attire accessories and have pondered the same questions many of you may have, so we decided to do some digging.  Our team of graduation clothing experts take a deep look into graduation attire history and cultural significance and present it all in this overview of the reasoning behind not just where the tradition comes from, but also what statement these fashion choices are making.

What Is the Origin of Graduation Cap and Gowns?

Graduation attire history can be traced all the way back to the 12th Century and to the times when church-run universities were all the rage. Students who were receiving their diplomas would be adorned in clothing that aimed to show off not just what they studied but also where. The iconic graduation cap and graduation robes explained what the graduating student studied, what specific institution they attended, and even would show off what religious order was in charge of their university.  Graduation gown history is linked to not just medieval Europe but also the religious orders that were running universities in days passed. But why did these institutions model their graduation robes in the way they did?

What Is the Significance of the Graduation Cap and Gown?

The significance of the traditional clothing we wear at graduations today is perhaps more vague than the straightforward explanations our team found while investigating graduation clothing. Today the consensus is that we still wear these same robes as a way to keep with tradition and to make the moment stand out for its significance by tying the unique way of dressing to the specific act of graduation.  We love a great story surrounded by traditions, and graduating offers the chance to signify an important milestone in your life through the use of clothing that is not too different from the ones worn centuries before.

The Best Graduation Accessories Available

No graduation attire is complete without the graduation tassels, stoles, and graduation cords that tie the entire outfit together! Tassel Depot offers the opportunity to adorn any graduation cap and robe with quality accessories that will make you stand out from the crowd. Contact us today to learn all about our products.

Related Readings