ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Academic dress of the University of Edinburgh

Academic dress is what people wear when they graduate from a university, like a special outfit or costume. The University of Edinburgh, in Scotland, has a very special academic dress. It includes a cap with a tassel, called a bonnet, and a long black robe that goes down to the feet.

On the front of the robe, there is a special patch that shows which degree the person has earned, like a bachelor's or master's. The patch can be different colors, like red or gold, depending on the degree.

Under the robe, the person wears a white shirt or blouse with a special necktie called a bowtie. The bowtie is also different colors depending on the degree.

If someone has earned a doctorate, which is the highest degree, they wear an even fancier robe that is made of velvet instead of regular cloth. They also wear a special hood with colored fabric on the inside that shows which university they earned their degree from.

Overall, the academic dress of the University of Edinburgh is a special and important way to show off the hard work and achievement of the graduates.