Definition of Academic dress

Academic dress or academical dress (also known in the United States as academic regalia) is traditional clothing worn specifically in academic settings. Nowadays, it is more commonly seen only at graduation ceremonies, but in former times academic dress was, and to a lesser extent in many ancient universities still is, worn on a daily basis. It today generally consists of a gown (also known as a robe) with a separate hood, and sometimes a cap (either a mortarboard or a bonnet). Academic dress is also worn by members of certain learned societies and institutions as official dress.