OVERVIEW OF ACADEMIC DRESS

Ede and Ravenscroft supplies gowns, hoods and hats to many of the world’s leading institutions.

The origins of today’s academic dress including the robe, hood and classical cap trace back to the first universities in medieval times.  Students wore long, sober clothing reflecting their status in society and identifying them as scholars.  Whilst fashions changed, the sense of purpose and propriety evoked by formal academic dress along with practicalities of marking students out in a crowd ensured that the traditional garments were kept.

Many Oxbridge colleges, schools and some ecclesiastical services still use the gown and hood, however it is more commonly seen at degree ceremonies.  Ede and Ravenscroft continues to supply academic dress to institutions around the world combining an attention to historical detail with a modern touch.