The Evolution of Undergraduate Academic Dress at the University of Cambridge and its Constituent Colleges

This paper charts the development of distinctive academic costume worn by undergraduate members England’s second oldest university, Cambridge. It follows evolution in dress from differentiation based upon social class and wealth (and regulated as such University) to one differentiation, most historical cases at least, college which undergraduates are members, about University’s only current stipulation is that gowns should be knee-length.