Bowdoin College’s commencement program places strong emphasis on proper academic attire—meaning the graduation gown, graduation cap, hood (as appropriate), tassel and additional academic regalia accessories such as honor cords or stoles. According to Bowdoin’s official commencement documents, the academic gown for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees follows the traditional black shell, with the hood trim and lining indicating the field of study and university affiliation.

The lining of the hood for Bowdoin is specified as white and green, symbolising the Bowdoin pines and the institution’s visual identity.

The velvet or trim colour represents the discipline (for example, white for arts/letters, dark blue for philosophy, brown for fine arts, golden yellow for science) in line with the inter-collegiate academic dress code.

The graduation cap (mortarboard) is typically black, and the tassel may be black or colour-coded to the field of study; doctoral candidates may wear gold tassels.

Honor cords or stoles—worn for departmental honors, societies or service recognition—are available, although Bowdoin’s public handbook does not publish a full colour chart of those accessories. Faculty regalia adhere to the doctoral gown standard, including velvet panels, longer hoods, and the Bowdoin white-and-green lining for institutional affiliation. In short, graduates at Bowdoin must secure the correct academic regalia bundle—graduation gown, cap, tassel, hood (if required), and optionally honor cords or stoles—to meet ceremony requirements and ensure visual consistency across the commencement procession.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Bowdoin College, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.