Academic gowns are usually black in color and may be made of any material appropriate to the climate. The sleeves of the gown vary according to the degree earned by the wearer. Bachelor's gowns have pointed sleeves. The sleeves for the master's gown have long oblong sleeves that open at the wrist. Gowns for doctoral degrees have bell-shaped sleeves. Doctoral gowns may also include a decorative panel with colors corresponding to the academic field of study.
Hoods are worn around the shoulders and drape down the back of the gown. Hoods for bachelor's degree are three feet. Master's degree hoods are three and one-half feet, and the doctor's hood is four feet long. The lining of the hood corresponds to the school's colors. The hood is trimmed in velvet, which should be two inches wide for bachelor's degrees, three inches for master's, and five inches wide for doctor's degrees. The color of this trim corresponds to the discipline in which the degree was earned.
The preferred form of academic cap is the mortarboard. Mortarboards are usually black and made out of the same material as the gown. Each cap has a tassel attached to the middle of the mortarboard. The tassel can be in the school or discipline color. Doctoral-level caps may be made of velvet and have a gold-colored tassel.