Address & Phone
1 College Hall, Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7006
Academic Regalia
Cap and Gown Information
Academic regalia is required for degree candidates at Commencement. All candidates who do not possess regalia must obtain their regalia from the Penn Bookstore, located at 36th and Walnut Streets. Detailed information about ordering regalia will be available on this page in early spring.
If your regalia will include a stole or cord, you must contact your society or organization to obtain it. Also note that Penn regalia does not include cords to Latin honors (i.e. magna cum laude, etc.).
Articles of clothing that will be visible at the neck and below the gown should be in keeping with the conservative style of the academic attire. The hood should be secured so that it will not slip off the shoulders. The cap is worn parallel to the ground; the tassel is worn in front and on the right side until the degree has been conferred. Other than religious coverings, only school issued commencement robes and regalia, with no additional adornment or added messages, will be permitted.
In case of inclement weather at the live ceremony, please be advised that the dye in the gown may stain clothing.
History of Academic Regalia
Like other American colonial colleges, Penn borrowed its 18th-century Commencement rituals directly from the English universities. In England the history of academic dress reaches back to the early days of the oldest schools.
Learn about academic dress from the past
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