Graduation Day Dress Code

As graduation is a formal occasion, there are requirements to wear formal wear as well as academic dress.

Dark clothes

1. One of the following:

• black,  plain, formal trousers; or
• black,  plain, formal skirt (of adequate length for kneeling); or
• black,  plain, formal, long-sleeved dress.

2. With trousers or skirt: a white, plain (i.e., no lace, frills, patterns or ornaments), formal, collared, long-sleeved shirt or blouse that can be buttoned or fastened at the neck.
3. With trousers (and optionally with skirt): a white bow tie and white academic bands.
4. Either:

• with trousers: black, unpatterned socks; or
• with skirt or dress: black or skin-toned, unpatterned tights or stockings.

5. Black, formal shoes or black, plain, formal ankle boots ( no sandals, sling-backs, open-toed shoes, work-boots or trainers); any stitching and laces to be black; with no ostentatious buckles or ornaments.

Updated inline with University of Cambridge Regulations 2026