What is the idea behind commencement robes?

Question

What is the idea behind commencement robes? Does it mean that the university is so high and mighty that a humble man like me must wear a special attire even to shake the hand of those who run it? Am I not good enough for them in the garb of an ordinary man?

Answer 1

The academic costume of cap and gown worn by the faculty and students during commencement ceremonies had its origin in the universities of the Middle Ages. Reference to exacting detail on wearing the academic costume can be found as early as 1321. Although the exact reason for the original use of the costume is not known, it is presumed that there was a very practical reason - medieval scholars probably wore the gown and hood for warmth in their unheated buildings. Students of that era wore their gowns daily, setting them apart from fellow citizens and giving rise to the term "town and gown."

In the United States, caps and gowns were worn daily by students at most American universities until the time of the Civil War. These varied in design until they were standardized by the American Intercollegiate Commission in 1894. The American Council on Education established later guidelines on academic costume.

Gowns worn are generally black and the sleeves of the gown indicate the degree held by the wearer. Closed, pointed sleeves are used for the bachelor’s gown; oblong sleeves, open at the wrist, for the master’s gown; and bell-shaped sleeves, with three velvet bars, for the doctor’s gown. The doctoral robe has full-length velvet panels in front, either black or of a color symbolizing the wearer’s field of learning.

Standard colors are used to represent the various academic disciplines.

The hood is a separate ornamental fold hanging down the back of the gown. An outside band of velvet on the hood varies in width according to the degree: two inches for the bachelor’s; three for the master’s; and five for the doctor’s. The color of the band and other velvet on the doctoral hood symbolize the field of learning. The length of the hood also varies with the degree, with the longer the hood, the more advanced the degree (Bachelor’s and master’s degree holders often do not wear their hoods).

The lining of the hood carries the colors of the college or university granting the degree.

Answer 2

Good question.... I believe it is the same as why some school has uniforms.  If all graduates are wearing a robe, they look the same.  Economic status or other issues cannot stand out and make an impression to anyone watching the ceremonies or to any one shaking the hand of a graduate.  Also there is no worry as to what any graduate will show up in. Can you imagine what some people would wear if they could, (just as a prank, of course, ) but it  could undermine a ceremony that is formally marked as a milestone and/or acheivement in a person's (and that person's family) life.