Graduation gowns date back to the medieval period when students and teachers wore clerical clothing, as the church had great influence over academics. The academic robes were used to distinguish scholars from laypeople. Scholars used to wear their robes all the time, but Oxford and Cambridge Universities were the first to introduce robes specifically for graduation ceremonies.
The mortar board (graduation cap) also has historical roots in clerical attire, and over time, gowns and caps’ colours were used to distinguish degree levels.
Over time, the wearing of gowns daily became less common and over the years, the graduation cap and gown we see today became reserved for graduation ceremonies.
Buy or rent a graduation gown?
Traditionally, most people tend to rent their graduation gowns. So, is there ever a reason to buy one?
Here are the pros and cons of cap and gown rental:
Pros:
- Cost-effective. Hiring is generally cheaper than buying an item you potentially only wear once.
- No need to store. If you hire a gown, you don’t need to worry about storing it later.
- Guaranteed availability. Rental companies normally guarantee availability before you hire.
- Better for the environment. Renting is much better than only wearing an item once and disposing of it.
- Easy Process. Hiring a gown is usually a very easy, hassle-free process as the gowns are sent to the Ceremony.
- Guaranteed correct size. Rental companies will be able to advise on what size gown you need, whereas purchasing online leaves more chances of getting it wrong.
Cons:
- Potential for additional costs. If you are late handing in your gown and cap, or if it comes back damaged, you could be charged.
- Limited availability. If you leave hiring to the last minute, then they may not have availability.
- One-time use. If you want a memento of your day, then if you hire a gown, you won’t get to keep it.
Rental is generally considered the most cost-effective option and is a very easy process, as gowns are sent to the ceremony location before your graduation, meaning you don’t have to stress about bringing them with you.
If you’re looking to buy a graduation cap and gown, then here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Own it. You get to keep your gown and cap as a memento of your day.
- No deadlines. You don’t have to worry about standing in line to give your gown back or being charged for late fees; you can just focus on enjoying your day.
- Could reuse. If you buy a graduation cap and gown, you have the potential to reuse them for other academic events.
- Potential to resell. You could resell your cap and gown and make your money back.
- Guaranteed availability. If you are organised and buy your graduation attire in advance, you’ll have it way before your ceremony
Cons:
- More expensive. It’s generally much more expensive to buy a gown than to hire one, particularly if you will only wear it once.
- Resale value is likely to decline. If you try to sell your gown after it’s been worn, it’s likely to decrease in value.
- Carry it with you all day. You’ll have to bring your gown with you on the day.
- Will need to store it. After your graduation day, you will have to find a place to store it.
Buying a gown is usually more expensive in the long run, particularly if you only intend to wear it once, but it does mean you don’t have deadlines to worry about and have a memento of your big day.
So there you have it, the pros and cons of buying or renting a gown. Ultimately, the decision on whether to buy or rent a graduation gown is up to you.
At Evess, we are graduation attire specialists, hiring out and selling quality gowns and caps at reasonable prices. We are here to help you decide which option is best for you.
